KYIV — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday condemned a Russian drone strike that killed nine civilians and injured seven others, calling for stronger international sanctions and renewed diplomatic efforts to end the war.

“All the deceased were civilians,” Zelenskyy wrote on X, adding: “The Russians could not have failed to understand what kind of vehicle they were targeting.”

The strike, which hit a minibus in northeastern Ukraine, left the injured with burns, fractures, and blast wounds. Zelenskyy said they are receiving medical treatment.

He accused Russia of deliberately targeting civilians and reiterated that Ukraine has consistently called for a “full and unconditional ceasefire.”

“Yesterday (Friday), as on any other day of this war, there was an opportunity to cease fire,” he said.

The attack came a day after Türkiye hosted the first direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine since 2022. While a prisoner-of-war swap was agreed upon, the discussions produced no breakthrough.

Zelenskyy criticized the Russian delegation, calling it “weak and unprepared,” and said it lacked a genuine mandate to negotiate. He also urged Ukraine’s allies — particularly the U.S. and European nations — to impose new sanctions on Moscow.

“We are expecting strong sanctions against Russia from the United States, from Europe, and from all our partners,” he said. “Diplomacy must start working. Peace is essential.”

The talks in Istanbul included Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky. Zelenskyy had earlier dismissed the composition of the Russian delegation as a sign Moscow “was not taking the dialogue seriously.” — Agencies