MOSCOW, June 17 (Xinhua/GNA) — Russian authorities on Wednesday, condemned a drone attack on a bus carrying a Belarusian youth football team in the Bryansk region, describing it as a terrorist act and pledging a thorough investigation.
The vehicle was carrying 44 passengers, including 28 young athletes. One person was killed in the attack and seven others were injured, including five children. The injured were hospitalized for medical treatment.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov attributed the attack to terrorism by the Ukrainian side.
According to Peskov, Russian President Vladimir Putin had spoken by telephone with Health Minister Mikhail Murashko, and instructed him to take all necessary emergency measures to assist those injured in the attack.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova issued a strong statement, condemning the attack as a “heinous crime.” Zakharova said that contrary to Ukraine’s “hypocritical statements about its alleged commitment to protecting children,” it has “deliberately” put them in danger “without hesitation.”
Belarus strongly condemned the attack and demanded comprehensive explanations from Ukraine, Belarusian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ruslan Varankov said. Enditem
GNA