The deadliest single incident since the Minsk Protocol, killing 12 civilian bus passengers at a Ukrainian checkpoint in Donetsk Oblast.
Key Facts
- Date
- 13 January 2015
- Deaths
- 12 civilian bus passengers
- Injured
- 18
- Checkpoint location
- H20 highway near Buhas village, Donetsk Oblast
- Rocket origin direction
- North-north-east (per OSCE and HRW)
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Armed conflict between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian separatists in the Donbas region continued despite the Minsk Protocol signed in September 2014. Separatists fired rockets toward a Ukrainian military checkpoint on the H20 highway near Buhas, initially believing they had successfully destroyed a roadblock.
On 13 January 2015, rockets struck the Buhas checkpoint on the H20 highway outside Volnovakha, hitting an intercity passenger bus. Twelve passengers were killed and 18 others were injured. OSCE and HRW investigators determined from crater analysis that the rockets came from a north-north-easterly direction, toward rebel-held territory.
The attack became the single deadliest incident since the Minsk Protocol ceasefire agreement, prompting Ukrainian authorities and rebel leaders alike to label it an act of terror. Separatists initially claimed responsibility, then retracted, denying capability to strike the area after civilian casualties became public.