At least four civilians were killed and 16 injured when a Russian drone struck a passenger bus in the Ukrainian city of Nikopol on Thursday morning, according to regional governor Serhiy Lysak. The attack occurred during rush hour near a residential district, with emergency services reporting significant damage to surrounding buildings.
Nikopol, located across the Dnipro River from the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, has endured near-daily shelling since Russia’s 2022 invasion. Analysts note this marks the third civilian transport attack in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast this month, suggesting a possible tactical shift toward infrastructure targets.
‘This was clearly a deliberate strike on civilian movement,’ stated Oleksandr Vilkul, head of the regional defense council, in a televised address. Ukrainian air force records indicate the drone originated from Russian-occupied territory in Zaporizhzhia, though Moscow has not claimed responsibility.
The attack comes as NATO members debate additional air defense shipments to Ukraine. Security experts warn such strikes may increase during winter months when energy infrastructure becomes vulnerable.