A series of Russian strikes on the Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk has caused significant loss of life, with local authorities reporting that passenger buses were among the targets hit. While reports on the exact casualty figures vary, the two-day death toll from recent Russian military actions in the region is estimated to be between 70 and 80 people.

In response to the violence, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a sharp critique of the United States. He expressed frustration with Washington’s dual-track approach, which involves attempting to mediate the ongoing four-year conflict while simultaneously maintaining economic ties with Russia. Zelensky characterized the current U.S. stance as a form of inaction that fails to adequately support Ukraine during the intensified bombardment.

There is a discrepancy in the reporting of the immediate casualty count from the Kramatorsk incident. The South China Morning Post (SCMP) reports that at least 35 people were killed in the Thursday strike, contributing to a total of nearly 80 deaths over two days. Conversely, DW reports a lower figure of 30 people killed and 18 wounded specifically in the bus attack. Neither report provided a statement from the Russian government regarding the strikes or the specific targeting of civilian transport.