KYIV — At least nine civilians were killed and seven others injured after a Russian drone strike targeted a minibus in the northeastern Ukrainian town of Bilopillia on Saturday, according to local officials.
The attack comes just hours after Russia and Ukraine concluded their first direct peace talks since 2022.
Sumy regional military head Oleh Hryhorov said the attack occurred at 6:17 a.m. local time, describing it as “inhumane.”
Preliminary reports suggest the vehicle was hit by a Russian Lancet drone while en route to the regional capital.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the strike as “a deliberate killing of civilians,” asserting that Russian forces "could not help but understand what kind of vehicle they were hitting."
The Russian government has not directly commented, though state media claimed the military targeted a "staging area" in the Sumy region.
The incident underscores the continuing violence even as both nations attempt to restart dialogue.
Peace talks held Friday in Istanbul ended without a breakthrough, although a mutual agreement was reached to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war in the coming days.
Zelensky reiterated Ukraine’s long-standing offer of a ceasefire, saying, “as on any day of this war, there was an opportunity to cease fire.”
Despite the lack of progress in negotiations, Ukraine proposed direct talks between Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Russia said it had “taken notice” of the proposal.
U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking from Air Force One during his visit to the Middle East, stated, “Nothing's going to happen until Putin and I get together,” signaling that any meaningful progress would likely require his direct involvement.
The attack in Bilopillia follows a series of escalating cross-border strikes. Earlier this week, Russian drone assaults killed three people and wounded nine others in Sumy.
On Saturday, Ukrainian drones reportedly hit a Russian ammunition depot in Crimea, triggering explosions at warehouses used to store military equipment and fuel. — BBC
