Russia has killed at least 30 people and injured 18 in an airstrike on two buses in the city of Kramatorsk, located in the Donbas region of Ukraine. The attack occurred on Thursday morning, and according to the Kramatorsk city council, the buses were carrying passengers who were continuing their daily commutes.
Everyday Life Risks
The Kramatorsk city council stated: "For Kramatorsk on the front line — where only a small percentage of the population remains due to ongoing Russian bombardments and evacuations — every trip across the city is an inherent daily risk. Few people remain here, and even civilian vehicles are targeted by Russian terrorism."
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Reactions to the Attack
Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, announced that doctors are working to save the injured, and the death toll may continue to rise. He also expressed condolences, stating: "Some of the deceased have not yet been identified due to the severity of their injuries." Ukrainian judicial authorities have also opened a criminal case related to this attack.
Zelensky emphasized that "this attack will not go unanswered. Russia is trying to destroy all life in Donbas, and a global response to this action is essential. A strong response — exactly what the Russians deserve for all the deaths they have caused."
Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State, stated in an interview that there is currently no prospect for a negotiation agreement, and the Russians are insisting on full control of Donetsk as a condition for any agreement, which Ukraine deems unacceptable.
Russia has claimed that the key objective of its attack is to rescue Russian speakers in Donbas from the "genocide being carried out by Ukraine." Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, said on October 1 that his country will soon "liberate Donbas." Moscow has yet to respond to the recent attack but has repeatedly denied targeting Ukrainian civilians.
This new attack comes just a day after a Russian missile strike on a residential building in Pryluky, which resulted in 22 deaths and over 50 injuries. Since August, Moscow has launched a wave of retaliatory strikes in response to Ukrainian attacks on oil refineries and markets in Russia.
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