The Drivers Risking Death on Ukraine’s Most Dangerous Bus Routes
The drivers risking death on Ukraine – In the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson, where the war has left deep scars, public transport workers face an unrelenting threat from Russian drone attacks. Earlier this month, Anatoly Dmytrov, a bus driver, recounted the terrifying moment when his vehicle on Route 14 was struck by a drone. The incident left passengers injured, windows shattered, and a lingering fear that another strike could follow moments later.
A Targeted Threat
Kherson’s municipal transport company has reported a surge in drone strikes since last year, with public transit becoming a primary focus for Russian forces. This year alone, three employees have lost their lives, eight others have been wounded, and 21 trolleybuses, along with eight buses, have been damaged. Local authorities confirm that six privately operated buses have also been hit in 2026, highlighting the scale of the danger.
“All the windows got smashed. I barely made it to the next stop, where there was a shelter. I looked in the mirror and saw blood. I thought – oh, I need to get to the shelter quickly because sometimes they send a second drone immediately,” Anatoly said.
The city, home to approximately 300,000 residents before the war, remains under Ukrainian control. Yet, it is the administrative center of a region claimed by Russia. Occupied in the early days of the 2022 invasion, Kherson was recaptured in the autumn of the same year. Since then, it has been subjected to relentless attacks from the Dnipro River, with Russian forces employing increasingly sophisticated tactics.
Evolution of the Drone Threat
Rita Dobrinova, a manager at the Kherson transport company, explained how the danger has evolved. Russian drones now utilize optic fiber cables, which are resistant to jamming, making them harder to detect. “Some are just hovering, waiting. Others are scout drones. They look the driver right in the eye through the windscreen,” she said.
One particularly harrowing incident occurred on April 11, when a bomb was dropped onto the head of a bus driver. The attack shattered the roof of the vehicle and left the driver with life-threatening injuries. “What they do is hit you, and then they hit you again. They’ve turned people’s lives into a horror show,” Eduard Zadorozhny, another bus driver, told the BBC.
Eduard and his colleagues were targeted on May 3 while traveling in a company van. “They hit us, we got out, and when an ambulance arrived to help us, they hit the ambulance,” he said. Deliberately attacking medical personnel is classified as a war crime under international law, yet such incidents continue to plague the city.
Measures for Survival
Authorities have implemented several measures to protect drivers and passengers. Anti-drone nets now cover some of the city’s busiest streets, shielding pedestrians and vehicles from aerial strikes. Drivers are equipped with helmets and bulletproof vests, but these measures only offer partial safety.
“They were also issued with drone detectors, called chuyka, but they are of limited use. They only detect approaching drones which use known frequencies for navigation, but machines relying on fiber optic cables or new frequencies are invisible to them,” Rita Dobrinova explained.
Despite these precautions, the threat persists. The chuyka device, while useful, can only alert drivers to drones operating on standard frequencies. For those using advanced technology, the danger remains undetected until it strikes.
The Human Toll
For drivers like Anatoly, Eduard, and Maksym Dyak, the daily commute has transformed into a perilous journey. Maksym, who has been hospitalized with a broken rib and shrapnel wounds, described the experience as one of constant anxiety. “We work like rats in a cage. We get attacked from every side, but we keep driving,” he said.
The psychological impact is profound. Anatoly, still reeling from the attack, emphasized the emotional weight of his job. “It’s no fun working here. This happens almost every day. They’ve started hunting buses down. You go to work and you have no idea if you are going to come home,” he added.
A Duty of Survival
Despite the risks, bus drivers in Kherson continue to serve as lifelines for the city’s residents. Maksym Dyak, a municipal driver, highlighted the critical role they play. “We need to get people to their pharmacies and hospitals: children and the elderly, everyone who has stayed here, everyone who still lives here,” he said.
With the war disrupting daily life, the responsibility of transporting vulnerable populations falls squarely on these drivers. “No-one apart from us will do this. We realize that if we abandon these people, no one else will drive them,” Maksym said.
A City Under Fire
Kherson’s status as a battleground has made its streets a war zone. The city’s population, estimated at around 65,000, relies heavily on public transportation to navigate the conflict. Every trip feels like a gamble, with the possibility of a drone strike looming over the route.
Rita Dobrinova noted that the drone attacks are not random. “The threat from Russian drones is getting worse,” she said. “They’re using fiber optic cables, which are immune to jamming. That means we’re facing a more advanced and persistent enemy than before.”
Stories of Resilience
Among the drivers, stories of survival and determination are common. Anatoly, who narrowly escaped the attack on Route 14, now speaks with a mix of fear and resolve. Eduard, who survived a deadly ambush with a colleague killed, continues to drive, driven by the need to keep others safe.
Maksym, who was injured earlier this year, is a testament to the resilience of those on the front lines. “We keep driving because there’s no other option. If we stop, people suffer,” he said. His words reflect the collective mindset of the drivers, who view their work as both a duty and a defiance of the ongoing conflict.
As the war continues, the situation in Kherson remains precarious. The city’s transport network, already strained by attacks, is a symbol of its people’s struggle to endure. Each day, buses navigate the danger, carrying hope and essential supplies to those who remain.
The relentless drone attacks have forced the city to adapt. While anti-drone nets and protective gear offer some defense, they cannot eliminate the risk entirely. Rita Dobrinova acknowledged the limitations of current technology, yet the city presses on, striving to ensure that its residents can move safely through the chaos.
In the end, the drivers’ courage is a vital part of Kherson’s survival. Their stories, marked by fear, loss, and unwavering commitment, underscore the human cost of the war. As they continue to face the threat of drones, they remain the backbone of a city that refuses to surrender.
