Russian strike on buses kills 33, say officials, as deadly attacks on Ukraine surge

In Kramatorsk, a frontline city in Ukraine, a Russian strike on two civilian buses resulted in 33 deaths and 18 injuries, according to rescue officials. Donetsk regional head Vadym Filashkin alleged that the attackers were specifically targeting passengers to maximize civilian casualties. Images of the aftermath showed the destroyed buses and numerous victims on the streets.

Kramatorsk and Slovyansk, a neighboring city, are part of a "fortress belt" that Russia seeks to capture as part of Vladimir Putin's goal to control the entire Ukrainian industrial region of Donbas.

The recent attack joins a surge in Russian aggression across Ukraine, leading to a significant increase in civilian casualties. The United Nations reported that Ukraine experienced more civilian deaths by August 2025 than in all of 2023. One notable incident involved a Russian missile destroying a five-story apartment building in Pryluky, east of Kyiv, killing 22 people, including five young children.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly claimed the right to protect the predominantly Russian-speaking Donbas region, which includes Luhansk and Donetsk. The Kremlin is attempting to seize the remaining 20% of Donetsk territory still held by Ukraine. Meanwhile, Moscow has launched frequent air raids on Kyiv, with sirens sounding throughout the day.

The attacks have disrupted daily life, forcing schoolchildren to seek shelter and businesses to close. Public transport has halted in the affected regions, and Russia's targeting of Ukraine's energy grid is causing power outages and water supply disruptions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed condolences to the families affected by the latest attack and urged the international community to provide Ukraine with concrete defensive measures. Ahead of the recent attack, Ukrainian authorities had warned of a potential Russian onslaught based on intelligence. Kyiv residents took refuge in metro stations, mirroring the precautions taken during previous warnings.

Russia and Ukraine have escalated long-range strikes on each other in recent months, with Russian attacks targeting Ukrainian data centers and logistics warehouses. Kramatorsk, once a logistics hub for the Ukrainian military, has become a frequent target due to its proximity to Russian forces advancing towards the east. Glide bombs, equipped with winglets to glide towards targets, have been launched against both Kramatorsk and Slovyansk, with dozens fired at Kramatorsk in a single day.

Local authorities described the strike as a "horrific crime committed by the Russian army against the civilian population," emphasizing that the targets were devoid of any military significance.