Russian Strike on Ukrainian Buses Near Kramatorsk Kills at Least 30
Russia conducted an air strike near Kramatorsk in Ukraine's Donetsk region that hit two civilian buses, killing at least 30 people and injuring 18, prompting international condemnation as winter approaches and power outages spread across the country.
Russian Strike Kills 30 on Civilian Buses Near Kramatorsk
The Russian air strike took place near Kramatorsk in the Donetsk region, which has not yet been fully captured by Russia. [1] The attack hit two civilian buses and left at least 30 people dead and 18 injured. [1] Switzerland has condemned Thursday’s Russian attack on two Ukrainian civilian buses. [1]
Swiss Government Condemns Attack and Calls for De-escalation
“Our thoughts are with the victims, their families and those who have been injured,” wrote the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs on the social media platform X. [1] Switzerland is calling for de-escalation and reiterates that all parties must comply with international humanitarian law at all times, in particular with regard to the protection of the civilian population. [1] On February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin gave the order for a military invasion of Ukraine. [1]
Emergency Power Outages Implemented Nationwide
Emergency power outages have been introduced in certain regions of Ukraine on 9 October due to a difficult situation in the power grid following recent Russian attacks. [2] In regions where emergency outages have been introduced, the previously published hourly power cut schedules are temporarily suspended. [2] Power engineers are working to restore a stable electricity supply, and the emergency outages will be lifted once the situation in the power grid stabilises. [2] Ukrenergo has urged people to monitor updates from their local power distribution companies, as the situation may change, and consumers who currently still have electricity are asked to use it sparingly. [2] Earlier, it was reported that emergency power outages had been implemented on the right bank of Kyiv and in two districts of Kyiv Oblast. [2]
Kyiv Faces Intensified Attacks Ahead of Winter
As Russia's attacks on Ukraine's cities intensify and autumn's cooler temperatures hint at another tough winter to come, Ukrainians are wrestling with how to meet the twin challenges ahead of Russian drone and missile strikes and the biting cold. [3] Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko has warned that worsening Russian attacks on Ukraine’s capital are threatening residents’ access to electricity and heating as winter approaches. [4] In an interview with AFP, Klitschko said Russian strikes on buildings and critical infrastructure had made daily life increasingly difficult. [4] Kyiv mayor Vitaly Klitschko said the city was facing a “very dramatic situation”. [3] After weeks of escalating Russian attacks, which by the end of September had included petrol stations, power plants and key bridges over the Dnipro river, the situation has grown more severe. [3]
Residents Weigh Evacuation as Conditions Deteriorate
Mother of two Mariia Shostak is packing her bags and leaving her small flat in Kyiv, unwilling to subject her children to another miserable winter after last year’s prolonged periods of sub-zero temperatures and frequent power cuts. [3] “It was a very difficult winter last year in Kyiv,” she said, adding that attacks on the capital intensified in late August and the beginning of September. [3] A September survey by the Gradus research company found that 40% of Ukrainians were considering relocating if living conditions continued to deteriorate. [3] Evgeniya Blyznyuk, Gradus's founder and CEO, noted that people are thinking about a combination of stress factors, including Russians targeting big logistics centres, which raises worries about products and food during the winter. [3] For families with young children the situation feels especially urgent, with some parents reporting that their children suffer from anxiety after missile attacks. [3] Some residents have moved to rural locations outside the capital to escape constant air raid sirens and explosions, while authorities are offering places in converted sanatoriums and rehabilitation centres in the city's forested outskirts to the elderly and women with young children. [3]
Broader Context of the Ongoing Conflict
Since the February 24, 2022 invasion, massacres of the Ukrainian civilian population have taken place, and according to the UN, Ukrainian prisoners are being tortured and raped. [1] Putin himself has been wanted by the International Criminal Court in The Hague on a war crimes arrest warrant since March 2023. [1] Russian troops occupy just under 20% of Ukrainian territory. [1]
What to watch next: Power engineers continue working to restore stable electricity supply while emergency outages remain in place until the grid stabilises, and more Kyiv residents may weigh temporary relocation options as attacks on infrastructure persist into winter.
