A Russian drone struck a bus carrying passengers in the Ukrainian city of Nikopol, killing three people and injuring twelve others in what officials described as a deliberate attack on civilians.

The strike hit the bus during morning rush hour as it traveled along a main road in the city center. Emergency services responded immediately, pulling survivors from the wreckage and transporting the injured to nearby hospitals.

Among the dead were two women and one man, all civilians. Several of the injured are in critical condition, and the death toll could rise, according to medical officials.

Ukraine's President condemned the attack as "another war crime" and called on the international community to provide additional air defense systems. "Russia is deliberately targeting civilians. The world must respond," he said.

Russia's Ministry of Defense did not comment on the specific incident. Nikopol, located across the Dnipro River from the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, has been under regular drone and artillery bombardment for months.