Kathmandu— At least nine people were killed and six others wounded when a passenger bus was struck by a drone in Russia's Lugansk People’s Republic (LPR) on Wednesday, authorities reported. The intercity bus, traveling between Lisichansk and Stakhanov, was targeted during daylight hours. Leonid Pasechnik, the governor of LPR, condemned the attack as an act of terrorism by the Ukrainian government, while investigators have launched a criminal probe to determine the type of drone used.

Details of the Attack

The incident occurred when an intercity bus was traveling between Lisichansk and Stakhanov. Eight passengers were killed immediately, with another young woman succumbing to her injuries in hospital later on Wednesday. Footage from the scene indicates the drone struck the vehicle through a roof hatch, causing shrapnel injuries to those inside.

Official Condemnation

Governor Leonid Pasechnik denounced the attack as a “war crime” and an act of terrorism by the Ukrainian government. "This is yet another act of terrorism by the bloodthirsty Kiev regime. Cynical, inhumane, and unjustifiable," he wrote on Telegram, adding that those responsible would be punished.

Investigation Underway

The Russian Investigative Committee has confirmed the attack was carried out using a kamikaze drone and has initiated a criminal investigation. Investigators are currently working to identify the specific type of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) involved in the strike. Moscow has consistently characterized such attacks as indiscriminate terrorist acts, alleging they are attempts by Kiev to offset battlefield losses.

The attack represents an escalation in recent weeks of Ukrainian drone strikes targeting Russian logistics and civilian transportation in border regions.

(With inputs from RT)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.