Russia has intensified its ground assaults and aerial attacks on the Ukrainian cities of Kramatorsk and Slovyansk, now considered key strongholds in the eastern Donbas region. Ukrainian authorities are urging residents to evacuate.
Over the summer, civilian casualties in these two cities saw a marked increase. According to Ukrainian police data studied by the BBC, the number of civilians wounded by Russian attacks rose from 70 in June to 212 in August. Fatalities also increased, with 16 deaths reported in June, 20 in July, and 15 in August. The attacks have frequently targeted residential housing and infrastructure, causing significant destruction.
The use of glide bombs by Russia has escalated. The number of these weapons launched against the cities jumped from 40 in June to 109 in July and 92 in August. On August 25, nine glide bombs struck Kramatorsk, with seven hitting civilian apartment buildings and wounding 24 people, including an infant. Two days later, both Kramatorsk and Slovyansk were targeted again, with seven glide bombs hitting Kramatorsk and five striking Slovyansk.
Glide bombs, equipped with winglets to guide them to their targets, are considered highly effective and lethal Russian weaponry. They typically weigh 250 or 500 kilograms, though some deployed by Russia have been documented at 1,500 kilograms. The destructive impact of these weapons has been described as “incredible” by observers. British volunteer John Auckland Abbey noted on social media that glide bombs are a significant fear, calling them "silent killers" and describing the uncertainty faced by residents after an explosion, wondering if the next one will be closer.