A Russian drone strike on a civilian bus in Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk region has left at least nine people dead and injured 30 others, Ukrainian officials confirmed on Wednesday. The attack occurred in the southeastern city of Marganets and targeted a bus transporting local workers, escalating concerns over the targeting of civilian infrastructure in the ongoing conflict.
“The enemy attack took nine lives,” wrote Governor Sergiy Lysak on Telegram, noting that the number of wounded is “constantly growing.” Emergency responders are on site, and hospitals in the region are reportedly overwhelmed by the influx of injured civilians.
The deadly assault is part of a broader wave of overnight attacks by Russian forces across several Ukrainian regions. Fires and damage were reported in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Poltava, and Odesa following strikes that appeared to target both critical infrastructure and residential areas.
In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attacks, reiterating his call for stronger international sanctions against Russia and additional air defense systems to protect Ukrainian cities.
Meanwhile, in Russia’s Belgorod region, local officials reported that one person was injured due to shelling allegedly launched from Ukrainian territory. The incident reflects the intensifying tit-for-tat nature of the war, which has increasingly spilled over borders and targeted civilian zones on both sides.
The attack comes on the same day that international diplomats from the United States, Ukraine, and several European countries gathered in the United Kingdom for a new round of talks aimed at ending the more than three-year conflict. Hopes for progress remain fragile, especially as both sides continue to engage in aggressive military operations.
The Marganets tragedy highlights the human cost of the war, which has left thousands dead and millions displaced since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022. As the international community renews diplomatic efforts, Ukraine is urging partners not just for peace talks, but for increased military and humanitarian support to help civilians caught in the crossfire.
This latest attack adds another layer of urgency to international discussions, emphasizing the need for a swift resolution to prevent further loss of life.
