Russian Drone Strike Kills 9 in Ukraine’s Sumy Area Amid Failed Peace Talks
Kyiv, Might 17, 2025 – A Russian drone struck a passenger bus evacuating civilians in Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy area on Saturday, killing 9 individuals and injuring seven, Ukrainian officers reported. The assault, described as a “deliberate battle crime” by native authorities, occurred in Bilopillia, roughly 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the Russian border, simply hours after Moscow and Kyiv held their first direct peace talks in years, which ended and not using a ceasefire settlement.
The strike focused a bus carrying civilians, primarily aged ladies, fleeing the front-line space, in accordance with Ukraine’s nationwide police and native media outlet Suspilne. Images launched by the police confirmed the devastating aftermath, with the bus closely broken. Native Governor Oleh Hryhorov confirmed that three of the injured had been in severe situation and had been taken to a hospital in Sumy, the regional capital. “That is one other battle crime by Russia—a deliberate strike on civilian transport that posed no risk,” the Sumy regional administration said on Telegram. Local people chief Yurii Zarko declared a interval of mourning in Bilopillia from Saturday by Monday, calling the day “Black Saturday.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the assault, stating on Telegram that the “Russians might scarcely not notice what sort of car they had been hitting,” describing it as a “deliberate killing of civilians.” He reiterated his name for a “full and unconditional ceasefire” to avoid wasting lives, a proposal Ukraine has lengthy advocated however which Russia has resisted.
The assault got here shortly after Russian and Ukrainian officers met in Istanbul on Friday for talks aimed toward securing a brief ceasefire, the primary face-to-face dialogue because the early weeks of Russia’s 2022 invasion. The discussions, which lasted lower than two hours, failed to provide a breakthrough, although either side agreed to a major prisoner swap of 1,000 prisoners of battle every. Ukraine’s Protection Minister Rustem Umerov, the chief delegate, famous that the talks included discussions on a possible assembly between the heads of state, a proposal Russia stated it could think about. Nevertheless, the Kremlin has persistently pushed again in opposition to Ukraine’s situation of a brief ceasefire as a step towards peace, leaving a truce elusive.
Russia’s protection ministry claimed on Saturday morning that its forces had focused a navy staging space within the Sumy area, about 50 kilometers southeast of Bilopillia, however made no point out of the bus assault. The Related Press couldn’t independently confirm particulars of the incident, and Moscow has not issued an official touch upon the strike.
The assault underscores the continued violence in Ukraine’s northeastern areas, with Sumy and close by Kharkiv steadily focused by Russian drone and missile strikes. On X, customers expressed outrage, with one put up noting {that a} household of three, together with a daughter, was among the many victims, emphasizing the civilian toll. One other consumer described the strike as proof that “dying reached” civilians “working to security.”
The timing of the assault has raised questions on its influence on peace efforts. Ukrainian officers, backed by Western allies, proceed to push for a ceasefire, whereas Zelenskyy met with European leaders in Tirana, Albania, on Friday to debate safety and protection. The dearth of progress in talks, coupled with continued assaults, has fueled skepticism about Russia’s intentions, with the EU’s international coverage chief, Kaja Kallas, stating that such strikes make a mockery of Moscow’s claims of in search of peace.
Because the battle, now in its fourth 12 months, continues to precise a heavy civilian toll, the worldwide group faces rising stress to dealer a decision. Nevertheless, Saturday’s lethal strike in Bilopillia highlights the numerous challenges remaining in reaching an enduring peace.
By Olena Kovalenko, Worldwide Correspondent
