Belarusian Security Council State Secretary Aliaksandr Valfovich said he believes the strike on the Belarusian bus in Russia’s Bryansk Region was “purely accidental.”
“The Belarusian bus was not specifically selected as a target. It was simply a bus traveling through the Bryansk Region, and the drone happened to fall on the road between two highways,” Valfovich said.
Valfovich urged Belarusians to avoid traveling to Russia’s border regions, BelTA reported.
“We have repeatedly warned about this, and the president has said on numerous occasions: dear Belarusians, please refrain from traveling to Russia today, especially to the border regions. Drones are falling there every day, and incidents like this occur. We have not closed the border; it is up to each individual to decide whether to travel or not.
This was not a bus carrying an organized tour group. It was not a school trip, a sports organization, or a group organized by any ministry or government agency. These were entirely private trips by Belarusian citizens who decided to travel to Anapa on the Black Sea. The idea is good, but by traveling there they are undoubtedly exposing themselves to considerable danger,” Valfovich said.
The Security Council secretary said it remains dangerous for Belarusians to travel to Russia until the war ends and urged them to spend their holidays in Belarus instead.
“Dear compatriots, please refrain from traveling today. You are putting yourselves, your loved ones, and those traveling with you at risk. No one can guarantee your safety on such trips until the special military operation comes to an end. People should use their own judgment and make the right decision,” Valfovich said.
As previously reported, on the afternoon of July 2, a Belarusian tourist bus operating on the Minsk–Anapa route was struck by a drone in the Zlynka District of Russia’s Bryansk Region. There were 19 passengers on board. All Belarusian citizens were transported to the Homiel Region, while six Russian citizens remained at a temporary accommodation center in the Bryansk Region. Three people — two drivers and one passenger — were injured. The drivers remain in serious condition.
Russia’s Investigative Committee said the strike had been carried out by Ukrainian forces and opened a criminal case on terrorism charges.
