Story perspectives

Belarus Urges No Travel to Russia After Bus Drone Attacks

7/3/2026

Summary

Volfovich Warns Travel

Alexander Volfovich, Secretary, urged citizens to avoid traveling to Russia after drone strikes on Bryansk-region buses.
Two UAV attacks in Bryansk hit buses: one on June 17 that killed one woman and injured six, and another on July 2 that injured three.
Igor Sekreta warned Belarus would use capabilities if border is crossed, while Ukraine’s air force communications head Yurii Ihnat said Belarusian Shahed-drone relay stations have been shut down.

Summary

Tsikhanouskaya Warns

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya condemned the bus drone strike and urged Belarusians not to travel to Russia.
She blamed President Aliaksandr Lukashenka’s policies and regime propaganda for exposing citizens to war risks.
She said tour operators profit from sending Belarusians to Russia despite the danger.
Governor Yegor Kovalchuk said psychologists were sent to the temporary center, which also provided hot meals as evacuees were transferred to the Homiel Region.

History

Historical Context

After Iran-built Shahed-136 loitering munitions first hit a Kyiv city bus in March 2022—killing three civilians while Ukraine’s air force downed 30 of the 45 drones—Russia began routing similar drones through Belarus. The Belarusian relay stations now targeting civilian buses echo the 2022 strike, illustrating how low-cost Iranian drones supplied to Russia have expanded cross-border threats and forced neighboring states to tighten air-defence postures.

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Volfovich Warns Travel

Alexander Volfovich, Secretary, urged citizens to avoid traveling to Russia after drone strikes on Bryansk-region buses.
Two UAV attacks in Bryansk hit buses: one on June 17 that killed one woman and injured six, and another on July 2 that injured three.
Igor Sekreta warned Belarus would use capabilities if border is crossed, while Ukraine’s air force communications head Yurii Ihnat said Belarusian Shahed-drone relay stations have been shut down.

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