A drone strike on a civilian bus in the Russian-occupied region of Zaporizhzhia has killed at least eight people and wounded a further 12, according to local officials. The attack, which occurred near the town of Polohy, marks the latest in a series of incidents raising civilian casualties in areas of Ukraine under Russian control. The bus was travelling between settlements when it was hit by what initial assessments suggest was a loitering munition.
Russian-installed authorities blamed Ukrainian forces, though Kyiv has not confirmed or denied involvement. The United Nations has condemned the strike, reiterating that attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure are prohibited under international humanitarian law. The incident comes amid intensified fighting in the region, where Russian and Ukrainian forces have been locked in grinding positional warfare for months.
The growing civilian toll underscores the deteriorating humanitarian situation in occupied territories, where access to aid remains severely restricted. International monitors have documented a pattern of strikes affecting non-combatants, with both sides accused of failures to distinguish between military and civilian targets. The Kremlin has yet to comment officially, but state media outlets have framed the incident as evidence of Ukrainian aggression.
The attack is likely to further complicate already stalled peace negotiations, as each side accuses the other of escalating violence against civilians. Diplomatic sources indicate that no progress is expected on a ceasefire in the near term, with both Kyiv and Moscow showing little willingness to compromise.
