A Russian attack on buses in the Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk killed at least 33 people, according to Le Monde.fr. The strike drew a public response from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who said the attack would not be left without an answer, the outlet reported.
The reported death toll rose sharply in the hours after the strike. Earlier coverage cited by ladepeche.fr put the figure at 30 dead, and an investigation into a war crime was opened, according to that outlet. Le Monde.fr's later report placed the number at no fewer than 33.
The circumstances of the attack beyond the targeting of buses were not detailed in the available reporting, and no further information on the victims was provided.
The strike comes amid a broader escalation in the war, with Les Echos reporting that civilians are facing growing pressure as winter approaches. Separately, 20 Minutes reported a heavy toll from Russian strikes and said the Kremlin criticized French fire, though the material available did not specify the incident involved.
The Kramatorsk attack adds to the strain on civilian areas as the conflict continues, and the opening of a war crimes investigation signals that Ukrainian authorities intend to pursue accountability for the strike.
What to watch next: whether the death toll rises further, how Russia responds to the accusation, and what the war crimes inquiry establishes.
