Strike on Moscow–Simferopol bus in Yenakiieve: 7 killed, 11 wounded

A Ukrainian drone struck a scheduled Moscow–Simferopol bus in Yenakiieve in the Donetsk People’s Republic early in the morning of June 3. According to preliminary data, 7 people were killed and 11 others were wounded with injuries of varying severity.

This was reported by regional head Denis Pushilin.

The attack occurred in the center of Yenakiieve as the bus was traveling along empty streets. Footage from surveillance cameras published by TASS shows a drone approaching the bus from behind and striking it — after which a flash occurs and the camera drops sharply, presumably from the blast wave. The passenger cabin and driver’s cab were completely burned out. Fragments of the drone were scattered over dozens of meters; specialists have yet to determine the type of UAV. Residential buildings near the site of the attack were also damaged, Russia’s Investigative Committee reported. Drone detectors continued to register reconnaissance UAVs over the center of Yenakiieve.

Condition of the victims

10 victims, including a child, were hospitalized in a moderate condition. This was reported by Alexei Kuznetsov, an aide to Russia’s Minister of Health. Telemedicine consultations with specialists from federal medical centers are being arranged for the child, born in 2016. One more victim received outpatient medical assistance.

Investigation

The Investigative Committee opened a criminal case under Article 205 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (terrorist act). This was reported to TASS by official Investigative Committee spokesperson Svetlana Petrenko. The agency is establishing the details of what happened and identifying the specific individuals involved in the attack. Fragments of a fixed-wing strike UAV were found at the scene — they will be seized and sent for forensic examination. The Investigative Committee also noted that the drone debris bears inscriptions in a foreign language.

Reaction

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, speaking to TASS, called the strike on the bus “a hunt for people.” Sevastopol Governor Mikhail Razvozhaev described the incident as a “monstrous crime” and noted that the strike targeted people “who were traveling to their relatives, going home, going about their ordinary business.” Kherson Oblast Governor Vladimir Saldo called the attack a deliberate killing and an act of terror, adding that by striking buses, cars, and ambulances, the Armed Forces of Ukraine want to disrupt peaceful life and prove to the West their ability to carry out strikes.

DPR Prime Minister Andrei Chertkov called the strike on the passenger bus cynical and inhumane. The chairman of the Public Chamber of Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Anton Bibarov-Gosudarev, told TASS that those responsible for the killing of the passengers must be held accountable under wartime law. Russian Federation Senator from the DPR Alexander Voloshin stated that Kyiv would not be able to intimidate the republic’s residents with such terrorist acts. The authorities of the Republic of Crimea are determining whether any residents of the region are among the dead and wounded — this was reported by Oleg Kryuchkov, an adviser to the head of the republic.