A Russian bomb attack on Kramatorsk in eastern Ukraine killed at least 33 people and wounded 18 others on Thursday, according to Ukrainian authorities. The strike hit a street where two passenger buses were operating, making it one of the deadliest attacks in the city this year.
The attack reportedly involved a guided aerial bomb that struck the buses in Kramatorsk, a key Ukrainian-controlled city in the Donetsk region. Emergency workers battled fires that erupted in the vehicles and provided assistance to the wounded.
Images from the scene showed a badly damaged bus and debris scattered across the street. Ukrainian officials described the attack as a strike against civilians, while Russia did not immediately issue a public comment. Moscow has repeatedly denied deliberately targeting civilians during the war.
Following the attack, authorities suspended public transportation in Kramatorsk and neighbouring Sloviansk, citing concerns over the safety of residents. Both cities form part of Ukraine’s defensive belt in the Donetsk region.
The strike came a day after a major Russian missile and drone assault across Ukraine killed dozens of people and caused extensive damage, particularly to energy infrastructure. Separately, Russian drone strikes on Kyiv killed three people and injured 14, according to city officials.
The latest attacks highlight the continued escalation of long-range strikes as the Russia-Ukraine war enters another intense phase.
