- Russian attacks kill 35, injure over 30 across Ukraine.
- Kramatorsk passenger bus strike deadliest incident reported.
- Emergency teams continue rescue; death toll may increase.
At least 35 people were killed and more than 30 others injured in Russian attacks across Ukraine overnight and into Thursday morning, Ukrainian authorities said. The deadliest incident was reported in Kramatorsk in the Donetsk region, where a Russian strike hit a passenger bus, killing at least 30 people and injuring 18, according to a statement issued by the city council on Thursday.
Death toll likely to rise: Ukrainian authorities
The attacks were reported across multiple areas as Russian forces continued strikes on Ukrainian territory. Authorities are assessing the damage and casualties, with the death toll potentially rising as emergency teams continue rescue and recovery operations.
"The Russians are deliberately targeting civilians. For them, a bus full of passengers is an attractive target precisely because a single strike can kill as many people as possible. Today’s tragedy in Kramatorsk – where the Russians killed 30 people and wounded another 18 in an instant – is further proof of this," said the Ukrainian official.
Public transport services suspended
He added that, amid the sharp deterioration in the security situation, he had ordered the Kramatorsk and Sloviansk city military administrations to suspend public transport operations.
“Russia consciously disregards all conceivable rules of warfare and norms of international humanitarian law. It selects targets where it can inflict the most pain on civilians,” Filashkin wrote, adding that under these circumstances, authorities have no right to risk the lives of passengers and drivers.
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Filashkin said the safety of Kramatorsk and Sloviansk residents was the authorities’ top priority, adding that suspending public transport was a necessary measure given Russia’s conduct and the growing threat to civilian passengers.
(With inputs from Kyiv Post)