Russian glide‑bomb attack kills 33 in front‑line Ukrainian city

Thu Oct 08 2026 19:43:11 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A Russian glide bomb attack on two civilian buses in Kramatorsk has killed 33 people, amid a surge of attacks that see Ukraine's civilian deaths outnumbering the previous year.

A Russian glide‑bomb strike on two buses in Kramatorsk, a front‑line city in eastern Ukraine, has killed 33 civilians and wounded 18, marking a steep rise in Russia’s attacks across the country. The incident follows a surge in civilian casualties, with UN figures showing deaths in Ukraine by August exceeding last year’s total. Ukrainian President Zelenskiy has called for concrete defensive aid, while Russian forces intensify attacks on cities within the Donbas region.

Russian glide‑bomb attack kills 33 in front‑line Ukrainian city

Thirty‑three civilians died when a Russian glide bomb struck two buses in Kramatorsk, a frontline city in eastern Ukraine. Rescue officials say the attack also wounded 18 people, and photographs released by local prosecutors show the burning bus shell and scattered debris.

Kramatorsk lies within the so‑called fortress belt that Russian forces are pressing to secure as part of Vladimir Putin’s claim over the Donbas industrial region. The city had previously served as a logistical hub for Ukraine but has now come under almost daily Russian air raids.

The latest strike follows a sharp increase in Russian attacks on Ukrainian territory. According to the United Nations, civilian deaths in Ukraine by August 2026 exceeded the total number for the whole year of 2025. In a separate incident earlier this week, a missile strike destroyed a five‑storey block of flats in Pryluky near Kyiv, killing 22 people, including five children.

Zelenskiy posted condolences on Telegram and urged international partners to provide concrete defensive aid. He also warned of intelligence indicating a possible major Russian offensive, urging residents to seek shelter in metro stations.

Donetsk regional head Vadym Filashkin has called for civilians to relocate to safer parts of Ukraine, noting that public transport had been shut down amid fears of further attacks. He described the bus strike as a “horrific crime” carried out by the Russian army against a population with no military targets.

Glide bombs—dropped systems equipped with winglets that allow them to glide towards their target—have been frequently launched at Kramatorsk and the nearby town of Slovyansk. In late August alone, reports indicated that nine such bombs were fired in a single day.

The Russian campaign has triggered widespread disruption, with sirens sounding around Kyiv and increasing drone and missile attacks on civilian infrastructure, including bridges and railways. Local authorities continue to stress the importance of protecting civilian lives while the conflict escalates.