Ukraine's fortress cities under fire as Russia bids to seize rest of Donbas

Over the summer, the number of civilians wounded in Russian attacks on the two Donbas cities rose from 70 in June to 212 in August, according to Ukrainian police. Sixteen militants were killed in June, 20 in July and 15 in August. Residential areas and infrastructure are under assault, Dyachenko said, causing "very important destruction". The number of glide bombs launched by Russia increased from 40 in June to 109 in July and 92 in August, according to Ukrainian police data reviewed by the BBC. On 25 August, nine glide bombs struck Kramatorsk, hitting seven residential buildings and wounding 24 people, including a two‑month‑old baby, police said. Two days later, seven glide bombs hit the area again, while five bombs targeted Slovyansk. Fitted with winglets that allow them to glide to their targets instead of falling, these weapons are regarded as among the most effective and lethal in Russia’s arsenal. They usually weigh 250 or 500 kg, though Russia has also deployed bombs weighing 1,500 kg. "The devastation they origin is simply incredible," says Dyachenko. "Glide bombs are the large fear," different British volunteer, John Auckland Abbey, posted connected societal media. "They are soundless killers, and erstwhile you've been abruptly woken by 1 exploding, you cognize astatine slightest different 1 volition follow. The question you inquire yourself arsenic you prevarication precise inactive successful the acheronian is: volition the adjacent 1 beryllium closer?"