Фото: Офис Тихановской
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has commented on the attack on a bus carrying Belarusian passengers in Russia’s Bryansk region, saying Belarusians are once again becoming victims of the war Russia launched against Ukraine.
“For the second time in two weeks, a bus carrying Belarusians has come under attack on Russian territory. Once again, our people are becoming victims of the criminal war that Russia unleashed against Ukraine and continues to drag our Belarus into,” she said.
The Belarusian opposition leader blamed the policies of Aliaksandr Lukashenka, saying the authorities ignore the risks and continue allowing Belarusians to travel to Russia.
“These are also the consequences of Lukashenka’s irresponsible policies and the regime’s propaganda, which persistently supports this war, as well as of those officials who ignore the threats and continue sending Belarusians to Russia. I urge you: do not travel to Russia. Some people are making money from organizing tours there as if it were safe — it is not. And the so-called authorities apparently do not care how many more Belarusians will suffer. Please take care of yourselves,” she said.
On July 2, a Belarusian tourist bus traveling on the Minsk–Anapa route was reportedly struck by a drone in the Zlynka district of Russia’s Bryansk region. There were 19 passengers on board. All Belarusian citizens were evacuated to the Homiel region, while six Russian citizens remained at a temporary accommodation center in the Bryansk region.
Russia’s Investigative Committee said the strike had been carried out by Ukrainian forces and opened a criminal case on terrorism charges. Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation under the National Security and Defense Council described claims that a Ukrainian drone struck the Belarusian bus in the Bryansk region as a Russian propaganda provocation.
Earlier, on June 17, a bus carrying Belarusian children to the Russian resort city of Gelendzhik was reportedly attacked by a drone in Russia’s Bryansk region. One accompanying adult was killed, while eight people, including six children, were injured. Moscow says the bus was attacked by a Ukrainian drone. Kyiv rejects the accusation and describes the incident as an information provocation.