Ukraine miners killed in a Russian drone strike have added to growing concerns over civilian safety as Moscow continues attacks across eastern and southern Ukraine. At least twelve miners lost their lives after a bus transporting workers from their shift was struck in the Dnipropetrovsk region, according to Ukraine’s largest private energy company, DTEK.
The deadly incident occurred on Sunday when the bus was hit by a drone while travelling near the city of Terenivka. Initially, officials reported a higher death toll, but DTEK later confirmed that at least twelve workers had been killed, with seven others injured. The miners were reportedly returning from work when the strike occurred, underscoring the risks faced by civilians far from the front lines.
Energy Workers Among Civilian Victims
DTEK described the attack as a direct hit on civilian workers and condemned what it called Russia’s continued targeting of non-military personnel. The company plays a key role in Ukraine’s energy sector, particularly as the country struggles to maintain electricity and heating supplies during one of the coldest winters in recent years.
The miners’ deaths come amid a broader Russian campaign aimed at Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Since January, Moscow has launched repeated strikes on power stations, substations, and transport routes, disrupting electricity and heating services across multiple regions. Temperatures in parts of Ukraine are forecast to drop below -20°C, increasing the humanitarian risks tied to infrastructure damage.
Maternity Hospital Strike Raises Alarm
Separate Russian attacks on Sunday and overnight further intensified international concern. In Zaporizhzhia, a drone strike hit a maternity hospital, injuring six people, including two women who were in labour at the time of the attack. Ukrainian officials confirmed the hospital was Maternity Hospital No.3, located on Bocharova Street in the eastern part of the city.
Footage verified by BBC Verify showed shattered windows, fire damage, and debris scattered across patient rooms and children’s wards. Videos circulating on social media captured firefighters evacuating patients while flames were still visible inside the building. Although no deaths were reported from the hospital strike, Ukrainian authorities described the attack as a clear violation of international humanitarian norms.
Zaporizhzhia regional head Ivan Fedorov called the strike further proof of what he described as “a war directed against life,” a sentiment echoed by Ukraine’s foreign ministry.
Civilian Casualties Mount Across Regions
Beyond Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia, additional civilian deaths were reported in multiple regions. In the central city of Dnipro, a man and a woman were killed in a separate drone attack, while a 72-year-old man was injured in Nikopol. In Kherson, shelling left a 59-year-old woman seriously wounded, and in Kharkiv, three more civilians were injured in another strike.
Ukrainian officials say these incidents demonstrate a pattern of continued attacks on civilian areas despite ongoing diplomatic efforts to reduce hostilities. Since the ceasefire talks began in October, Ukraine has repeatedly accused Russia of violating agreements by striking non-military targets.
Winter Warfare and Energy Pressure
Russia’s renewed focus on Ukraine’s power grid has raised fears of a prolonged humanitarian crisis. Energy infrastructure has become a strategic target as winter conditions worsen, with heating outages posing life-threatening risks for millions.
Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to temporarily halt attacks due to extreme cold weather. However, the Kremlin later clarified that the pause was limited and expired on Sunday — the same day the miners’ bus was struck.
Ukrainian officials argue that the timing of renewed attacks highlights Moscow’s broader strategy of applying pressure during winter, when civilian suffering is amplified.
Diplomatic Talks Delayed
Amid the escalation, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that a second round of three-way talks involving Ukraine, Russia, and the United States would begin later this week in Abu Dhabi. The talks were originally scheduled to take place earlier but were delayed without a public explanation.
Zelensky said the discussions would focus on pathways to de-escalation after nearly four years of war. However, Ukrainian officials remain sceptical about Russia’s willingness to commit to meaningful ceasefire terms, citing repeated violations.
Analysts warn that continued attacks on civilian workers — including energy-sector employees — may complicate negotiations and harden positions on both sides.
International Reaction and Accountability
Ukraine’s foreign minister Andriy Sybiha condemned the strikes, stating that attacks on maternity hospitals and worker transport vehicles illustrate a “war against civilians contrary to peace efforts.” International humanitarian organisations have renewed calls for accountability and independent investigations into alleged violations of the laws of war.
Human rights groups argue that targeting civilian transport and medical facilities could constitute war crimes under international law. While Russia has not commented directly on the specific incidents, it continues to maintain that its operations target military infrastructure.
A Grim Reality for Ukrainian Civilians
The deaths of the miners highlight the widening impact of the conflict on ordinary Ukrainians, particularly those working to keep essential services running. As Ukraine braces for further winter hardship, the combination of infrastructure damage, civilian casualties, and stalled diplomacy paints a bleak picture for the months ahead.
For families of the victims, the strike represents yet another reminder that the war’s consequences extend far beyond the battlefield, touching workplaces, hospitals, and homes alike.
This report is part of FFRNEWS World & Europe coverage, tracking major geopolitical developments and civilian impact during the Ukraine conflict. Details in this article are based on reporting by BBC News, which first reported the drone strike on the miners’ bus and related attacks across Ukraine.
