Twelve people have been killed by a Russian drone strike near a company shuttle bus in eastern Ukraine, according to regional officials. The attack took place in the Pavlohrad district and left seven others injured, as reported by Oleksandr Ganzha, the regional military administration chief, who noted that an air alert was still in effect in the area.

The energy provider DTEK indicated that the bus was transporting its workers from a mine, calling the incident a targeted attack. They stated that the workers were traveling after a shift when the attack occurred. Preliminary reports suggest that at least 15 fatalities may be associated with this event.

This tragic news follows other violent incidents, including an early morning strike that left nine injured in separate attacks across the region. Reports emerged of injuries at a maternity hospital in Zaporizhzhia due to drone attacks, which has drawn condemnation as further 'proof of a war directed against life' from local officials.

Amidst a frigid winter and ongoing military tensions, the conflict continues to escalate, impacting the civilian population severely. The severity of these attacks raises significant concerns regarding the safety of innocents caught in the crossfire, with international voices calling for accountability and peace.