Forty Children on Bus in Ukraine Narrowly Escape Russian Drone Strike

A Russian drone strike on May 3, 2026, targeted a gas station shortly after a bus carrying 40 children had stopped there in the Krynychky community, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. The children, on a trip to Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast, had just exited the bus to use the restroom when the attack occurred.

Witnesses described a chaotic scene as the drone struck just moments after the children had disembarked. The bus driver, Serhii, recounted, "We thought the drone would pass over us. My partner even said: hide. I didn't make it... The bus was pierced right through." Thankfully, most of the children were unharmed, but six people suffered injuries, including a 10-year-old boy who was hospitalized, and a 21-year-old pregnant woman.

Local authorities confirmed that rescue operations were conducted swiftly, evacuating the children to a safe location in Zatyshne community, where they were provided with food and care before continuing their journey.

This attack is part of a broader trend of increasing violence in the region, with Russia launching a series of drone strikes. In total, at least eight civilians were reported killed, and around 90 others injured in various attacks across Ukraine on that day.

The ongoing conflict continues to escalate, raising concerns about the safety of civilians as both sides engage in military operations, making daily life increasingly perilous for those in affected areas.