Authorities Report 30 Killed in Russian Strikes Across Eastern Ukraine

Authorities said Russian strikes in eastern Ukraine killed 30 people and injured at least 18 on Thursday, including in an attack involving a public bus.

The reported casualties came as security conditions worsened in parts of the Donetsk region, prompting the suspension of public transport in Kramatorsk and Sloviansk.

Vadym Filashkin, head of the regional military administration, said the decision was taken to protect passengers and drivers. “In such circumstances, we have no right to risk the lives of passengers and drivers. The safety of residents of Kramatorsk and Sloviansk is above all,” he said.

Casualties reported in Pryluky and Kyiv

The latest deaths followed strikes reported the previous day in Pryluky, where the death toll rose to 22, including five children. At least 54 people were injured in that attack.

Rescuers searched through the remains of a residential building in Pryluky after it was hit by a Russian missile. Some survivors were reported to have remained in heavily damaged apartments after being unable to find alternative accommodation.

Late Wednesday, Russian drones struck Kyiv’s Obolonskyi and Desnianskyi districts, police said. Four people were killed and 12 injured, including four children, according to the police figures.

The strikes formed part of an intensive wave of attacks ahead of winter, with worsening power outages reported in Kyiv. Russia and Ukraine have continued a long-range aerial campaign while their armies remain largely deadlocked along the front line.

Zelenskyy seeks further defence support

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Russia was likely to increase its daily missile and drone attacks as winter approaches. He appealed online to NATO countries for additional support for Ukraine’s defence.

“It is important that support in words takes concrete form in new packages for Ukraine’s defense,” Zelenskyy said. He added that anti-ballistic capabilities, ammunition for combat aircraft and investment in interceptors were helping save lives.

Ukraine reports strike on Russian refinery

Ukraine also said its forces had struck a large oil refinery complex in Salavat, Russia, about 1,200 kilometres east of Moscow. Ukraine’s General Staff described the site as one of Russia’s largest oil refining and petrochemical facilities.

The claim about the Salavat strike could not be independently verified. No details were provided on the extent of any damage to the complex.

The reported attacks come as both sides continue to use missiles and drones in the conflict, which has lasted more than four and a half years since Moscow’s full-scale invasion, according to the source.