Drone Strike on Bus with Children: Belarusian Authorities and Opposition Agree – Don't Go to Russia

Drone Attack on Bus with Children

On June 17, a drone struck a passenger bus in Russia's Bryansk region, which borders Ukraine. The vehicle carried 44 people, including 28 students from a sports school in the Belarusian city of Rechitsa, who were traveling to the Black Sea resort of Gelendzhik for vacation. A woman accompanying the team was killed, and six people were injured, including four minors.

Conflicting Accounts

Russian officials blamed the attack on "Ukrainian terrorists," while Ukrainian intelligence services called it a "provocation" by Moscow. The Belarusian government and opposition drew diametrically opposite conclusions about the incident but agreed on one thing: Don't go to Russia.

Opposition Leader: Russia Bears Responsibility

Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya stated that Russia started this war and bears primary responsibility for every death and injury. She also blamed Belarusian officials for failing to prevent children from traveling through an active war zone and Belarusian propagandists for concealing Lukashenko's complicity in the war. "Don't go to Russia," she urged.

Lukashenko: Parents Decided, Government Approval Needed

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said it was the parents who decided to send their children to Gelendzhik. "Don't we have enough space to play soccer here?" he asked rhetorically. He added that people should stay home for now and that no more trips would be allowed without government approval. Lukashenko refrained from quick conclusions about the strike but noted that the drone was Ukrainian. "We're hearing different versions, but we'll uncover the truth. The Russians will help us," he said.