Lukashenko Claims Ukrainian Drone Attack on Bus Carrying Belarusian Children in Bryansk

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko stated on June 18 that a drone strike on a bus carrying Belarusian children in Russia's Bryansk Region was of Ukrainian origin. Lukashenko characterized the attack as an act of banditry and Nazism, noting that the bus driver witnessed multiple drones in the area at the time of the incident. He emphasized that Minsk has firmly established the drone's Ukrainian origin through its investigation.

Lukashenko stressed that attempts to drag Belarus into the Ukraine conflict would have serious consequences for those responsible. He noted that the security situation along Belarus' southern border has become increasingly tense, describing the war as being situated directly beyond Belarus' borders and occasionally even closer. The Belarusian leader ordered Security Council State Secretary Alexander Volfovich to oversee the investigation in coordination with Russian authorities.

Regarding the victims, Lukashenko stated that injured Belarusians should receive treatment within Belarus, though he expressed gratitude to Moscow for its assistance. He called for truth and honest answers from Ukrainian officials regarding the attack, stating that Belarus intends to establish what actually happened. Lukashenko reiterated that Belarus remains a peaceful state and reaffirmed the necessity of enhanced protection along the country's southern border amid the ongoing conflict.