Russians attacked passenger bus in Kherson with drone, one killed and six injured

Russian troops attacked a passenger bus with a drone in Kherson on the afternoon of March 2. Russians killed one person and injured at least six others.

According to the Kherson Oblast Military Administration on Telegram, two men, aged 56 and 72, and a 66-year-old woman suffered mine-blast injuries.

Medical personnel transported them to the hospital, where they are now receiving treatment.

Russian attacks across Ukraine have killed at least two civilians and injured at least 20 over the last 24 hours, according to reports from regional authorities. The air defence of Ukraine shot down 63 of 79 drones last night.

In Donetsk, two people were killed and seven injured in the attacks, according to the regional governor Vadym Filashkin.

A day earlier, the Kherson Oblast Prosecutor’s Office reported that Russian Armed Forces killed a woman in a Russian attack on Beryslav.

ZMINA consistently reports on the ongoing international crimes in the Kherson Oblast.

By way of background, Russia’s war against Ukraine escalated dramatically on February 24, 2022, when Russia launched a full-scale invasion into Ukrainian territory. This marked a significant intensification of hostilities that had been ongoing since 2014, following Russia’s attempt to annex the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and fights in Eastern Ukraine.  

According to the estimates of the UN Refugee Agency, 10.6 million Ukrainians have been displaced due to the war. Within Ukraine, 3.7 million people are internally displaced, while 6.9 million continue to receive protection as refugees abroad.

Over 2 million homes across Ukraine have been damaged or destroyed, accounting for 10% of the country’s housing stock.

Repeated Russian attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure leave people without electricity and heating, further complicating the already strained work of local services.

The UNHCR pointed out that mental health has also been severely affected due to the constant threat of attacks, prolonged separation from family, and cumulative trauma. Children are particularly vulnerable – 1.5 million are at risk of long-term mental health consequences.

Inside Ukraine, 12.7 million people need humanitarian assistance.

The impact of the war on the economy is significant – agricultural and industrial hubs in the east have been destroyed, and approximately 30% of pre-war jobs have been lost.

In related news, US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky clashed in a fiery exchange during a state visit to Washington, D.C.

An opposition MP in Ukraine’s parliament, Inna Sovsun, told the BBC that she was shocked by the exchange that unfolded at the Oval Office.

“We did not expect this level of aggression towards our president,” Inna Sovsun said.

Earlier, the Kremlin welcomed the US foreign policy “alignment” with Russia. Dmitry Peskov, the spokesman for Russian ruler Vladimir Putin, highlighted the joint US-Russia vote on a UN General Assembly resolution, which he claimed contained “a perfectly balanced formulation regarding the Ukrainian crisis”, meaning the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Former United States Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice assessed this meeting as being set up for Zelenskyy.

Later, Zelenskyy wrote in a post on X that America’s help has been vital in helping us survive, and I want to acknowledge that.

“Despite the tough dialogue, we remain strategic partners. But we need to be honest and direct with each other to truly understand our shared goals.”

He added that Ukraine is “very grateful” to the United States for all the support, especially during the three years of full-scale invasion, and thanks President Trump.