Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has stated that a drone attack on a bus carrying Belarusian children in Russia's Bryansk region originated from Ukraine. Lukashenko made these remarks in an interview with the state news agency BelTA, emphasizing that while Minsk is conducting a thorough investigation, preliminary evidence points to Ukrainian involvement.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, Lukashenko noted that authorities are exercising caution before drawing final conclusions, but the technical characteristics of the drone suggest its origin. "We are not rushing to any conclusions, but the fact remains that the drone is of Ukrainian origin," Lukashenko stated.
The incident occurred on the afternoon of June 17. Yegor Kovalchuk, the acting governor of the Bryansk region, reported that the bus was transporting a youth football team traveling from Gomel, Belarus, to Gelendzhik for a summer camp. The vehicle was carrying 44 passengers, including 28 young athletes. The attack resulted in the death of one woman and injuries to five children and three adults. Russian authorities have launched a criminal investigation into the incident, classifying it as an act of terrorism.
The Bryansk region, which shares a border with both Ukraine and Belarus, has frequently been the site of security incidents since the escalation of the conflict in the region. Such attacks on civilian transport highlight the ongoing security challenges in border areas, prompting increased scrutiny from regional authorities regarding the safety of cross-border travel routes.
