Russian Drone Strike on Civilian Bus Kills Nine in Ukraine Amid Fragile Peace Talks

The deadly attack in Sumy comes just hours after Russia and Ukraine held rare direct negotiations in Istanbul, highlighting the fragile state of any potential ceasefire.

Sumy, Ukraine – A Russian drone strike targeting a civilian bus in northeastern Ukraine has killed at least nine people and injured four others, Ukrainian officials said on Saturday, marking a grim reminder of the war’s brutality just hours after rare peace talks took place between the two nations.

The attack occurred in the Sumy region and left the vehicle badly damaged, with Ukraine’s National Police calling the strike “a cynical war crime.” Photos of the mangled bus were shared on Telegram as emergency crews launched a rescue operation, according to Ihor Tkachenko, head of the Sumy military administration.

“This is not just another shelling,” the police said. “It is a deliberate act of terror against civilians.”

Russia’s Ministry of Defence claimed the drone targeted a staging area for Ukrainian military equipment. However, Ukrainian authorities have strongly disputed the claim, asserting the target was purely civilian.

The drone strike comes at a sensitive time, as Russian and Ukrainian delegations held direct peace negotiations in Istanbul on Friday — the first such talks in years. Though no breakthrough was reached, both sides agreed to a significant prisoner exchange involving 1,000 detainees, marking the largest swap since the war began in 2022.

Russian chief negotiator Vladimir Medinsky expressed cautious optimism after the 90-minute meeting, stating Moscow was open to further dialogue, including on a potential ceasefire. “We have agreed that all sides will present their views on a possible ceasefire and set them out in detail,” Medinsky said.

However, Ukrainian officials voiced frustration, with one delegation member telling Reuters that Russia’s demands were “detached from reality.” The official said Moscow had issued ultimatums, including a requirement that Ukraine withdraw from parts of its own territory, calling the demands “non-starters.”

Al Jazeera’s Zein Basravi, reporting from Kyiv, said the drone strike symbolized Russia’s dual strategy of war and diplomacy. “Medinsky made it clear Moscow is willing to continue fighting even while negotiating,” Basravi said. “And that is exactly what they have done.”

As talks inch forward with uncertainty, the devastating consequences of continued hostilities remain tragically clear for Ukrainian civilians.