Russian Glide Bomb Kills 30 in Kramatorsk; Ukraine Accuses Deliberate Civilian Targeting
The deadly Kramatorsk attack precedes US-Ukraine talks today, where "new ideas" for de-escalation are expected.
The day on the war
A Russian glide bomb strike on October 8 hit two civilian buses in Kramatorsk, eastern Ukraine, killing at least 30 people and injuring 18. Ukrainian authorities, including Donetsk Regional Military Administration head Vadym Filashkin, accused Russian forces of deliberately targeting civilians, stating that a crowded passenger bus was an "attractive target" for mass casualties.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy vowed that the attack "will not go unanswered" and called for a forceful international response. This incident follows a missile strike on Pryluky in the Chernigiv region on October 7, which killed 22 people, including five children. Amid intensifying Russian aerial assaults, Ukrainian negotiators are headed to the United States today and tomorrow for talks with a US team, with European representatives also expected to join to discuss new proposals for breaking the conflict's stalemate.
Along the front
Across multiple fronts
Development: Ukrainian defense forces repelled over 200 Russian assaults in the past 24 hours.
Source: UA General Staff
Donbas (Kramatorsk area)
Development: Russian forces are intensifying operations around Ukraine's "fortress belt," with Kramatorsk a frequent target and Russian troops 3-6 miles from its eastern edge.
Source: Global News
Strikes & the grid
Kramatorsk, Donetsk region
What: Russian glide bomb struck two civilian buses.
Toll: At least 30 killed, 18 injured (Ukrainian authorities claim)
Zaporizhzhia
What: Russian strikes.
Toll: One civilian killed, at least five injured, including a child, on October 9 (acting regional governor Mykhailo Semikin)
Ivano-Frankivsk
What: Russian drone attack.
Toll: One 67-year-old civilian security guard killed late Thursday, October 8 (local authorities)
Belgorod region, Russia
What: Ukrainian drone strikes.
Toll: Two people killed on Thursday (regional officials)
Tver Oblast, Russia
What: Ukrainian military attack reportedly targeted a factory.
Toll: Factory manufactures fuel components for Kh-55 and Kh-101 cruise missiles (Russian Telegram media channels)
Diplomacy & talks
US-Ukraine talks. Ukrainian negotiators are in the United States today and tomorrow for discussions with a US team, with European partners also expected to join. The talks aim to present "new ideas and proposals" to address the conflict.
US-Russia (potential). US President Donald Trump's special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner may visit Moscow in late October for further talks with President Putin, following meetings in Miami with Ukrainian and European officials.
Aid & sanctions
South Korea
Measure: Threatened legal action
Detail: If fuel shipments to Russia are found to have broken international law, following a report revealing thousands of tonnes of fuel transported to Russian ports.
India
Measure: Reduced oil imports
Detail: Indian imports of Russian oil sank to their lowest level since March 2022, averaging 310,000 barrels a day in the four weeks up to October 4.
What we'll be watching next 72h
- Ukrainian negotiators will continue talks with a US team in the United States on October 9 and 10, with European partners expected to participate.
- EU leaders will gather in Brussels on October 15-16 for a summit to discuss assistance for Ukraine, EU enlargement, and measures against Russian hybrid threats. President Zelenskyy is expected to address the summit.
- US President Donald Trump's special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner may travel to Moscow in late October for further discussions.
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