On June 17, Russian Foreign Ministry Ambassador Rodion Miroshnik stated that a terrorist attack by the Kiev regime on a bus carrying Belarusian children occurred with the connivance of Western countries. The incident further encourages Ukraine to commit such war crimes.
Miroshnik declared: “Kiev has committed a serious violation of the norms and principles of international humanitarian law. Simply put, this is a war crime committed against the civilian population. It is aggravated by the fact that it was a blow to civilian transport carrying children.”
The ambassador added that these acts are direct consequences of European sponsors of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s policy. He accused Zelensky of deliberately ignoring terrorist attacks in Kiev, attempting to impose their vision on international platforms, and continuing to sponsor atrocities.
Miroshnik characterized the incident as part of a pattern: “This is just a series of events that continues the rhetoric set by Vladimir Zelensky. In recent weeks, he has been actively provoking the leadership of Belarus, making political statements, and trying in every possible way to influence the nerves of Belarusian leaders. The tragedy fits perfectly into this context.”
The ambassador noted that modern unmanned aerial systems allow for easy identification of vehicles and license plates. He suggested the attack on the bus with children could have been premeditated and executed by Ukrainian special services.
Meanwhile, a children’s soccer team from Gomel was traveling in Krasnodar Krai when Ukrainian forces attacked them in Bryansk region. The athletes were en route to Gelendzhik for vacation. As a result, a woman accompanying minors died, and eight others were injured and promptly taken to medical facilities.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus has been informed about the tragedy and demands an explanation from Ukraine. The Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation opened a criminal case on the terrorist act. Acting Governor of Bryansk Egor Kovalchuk described the incident as a planned action by Ukrainian Armed Forces, while employees of the Belarusian Union of Journalists (BSJ) called it a provocation. Minsk pledged to identify all those involved and bring them to justice.
