Russian strike on civilian bus in northern Ukraine kills 9 | Ukraine

9 individuals have been killed in a Russian drone assault on a minibus carrying civilians in Ukraine’s northern Sumy area on Saturday, the native navy administration stated, hours after Kyiv and Moscow held their first direct peace talks since 2022.

The bus, which was attacked close to the town of Bilopillya whereas travelling in direction of Sumy, was “focused by the Russians”, the navy administration stated.

“Sadly, because of a cynical assault by Russians on a bus with civilians, there are lifeless,” the administration stated, including later: “Sadly, the demise toll has risen to 9.

4 individuals have been wounded within the assault, the administration stated.

The blast got here hours after Russia and Ukraine concluded their first direct talks in nearly three years in Istanbul and not using a important breakthrough.

The 2 sides agreed a large-scale prisoner change however no ceasefire, saying as a substitute they’d decide to commerce concepts on a doable truce.

After the talks, Kyiv stated it was searching for an “unconditional ceasefire” to pause the battle, which has destroyed massive swathes of Ukraine and displaced hundreds of thousands of individuals.

However Moscow has persistently rebuffed these calls and the one concrete settlement gave the impression to be the deal to change 1,000 prisoners every.

After the assembly, Volodymyr Zelenskyy renewed his requires sanctions on Moscow if it didn’t conform to a ceasefire. “Our place – if the Russians reject a full and unconditional ceasefire and an finish to killings, powerful sanctions should comply with,” the Ukrainian president stated on X.

“Stress on Russia have to be maintained till Russia is able to finish the struggle.”

Ukraine’s prime negotiator, defence minister Rustem Umerov, stated the “subsequent step” could be a gathering between the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, and Zelenskyy.

Each Moscow and Washington have additionally talked up the necessity for a gathering on the battle between Putin and the US president, Donald Trump.