Russian army attacks bus in Sumy region, killing and injuring civilians

The Sumy Regional Military Administration reports.

"Russians attacked a bus near Bilopillia. They struck civilian transport. Passengers were injured. Medics and rescue services immediately arrived at the scene. The injured are being treated," the Sumy Regional Military Administration reported at 6:51 a.m.

Later, the head of the Sumy Regional Military Administration, Oleh Hryhorov, said that, according to preliminary information, eight people were killed in the attack.

"Five people are wounded. They are immediately hospitalized. A rescue operation is underway at the site," added Hryhorov.

As of 7:40 a.m., the death toll had risen to nine.

“As a result of a Russian UAV strike on a bus near Bilopillia, 9 people were killed and 4 wounded,” the Regional Military Administration reported.

They also said that the bus, which was targeted by the Russians, was heading toward Sumy.

Volodymyr Bitsak, deputy chairman of the Sumy District Council, commented on the Russian attack on the vehicle on Espreso TV.

"This is the only bus. This is a local resident who transports people from the town of Bilopillia to Sumy. He brought everyone every morning and left at the same time. Perhaps the Russians found out about it. Beforehand, a Lancet UAV hit a minibus that had already left Bilopillia. So far, there are 9 dead and 4 wounded. Most likely, the minibus was filled to capacity, as it was the only bus in the morning," noted Bitsak.

The acting mayor of Sumy, Artem Kobzar, said that a day of mourning had been declared in the Sumy community on May 17.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy informed that the number of wounded had increased to seven. "People are in hospitals with burns, fractures, and concussions. Everyone is receiving the necessary assistance.

According to preliminary information, the Russians killed a family: a father, mother and daughter were killed by a strike, Zelenskyy added.

"My condolences to the family and friends. All the victims were civilians. And the Russians could not help but understand which vehicle they were striking. It was a deliberate killing of civilians," the president wrote.

• On Wednesday, May 14, Russian occupation forces struck an industrial infrastructure facility in the Sumy community. The attack resulted in at least two fatalities and multiple injuries.