Russian forces brutally shell towns in eastern Ukraine's Donbas region

RUSSIAN forces brutally shell towns in eastern Ukraine's Donbas region ahead of expected new offensive.

At least one person was killed and several wounded in a Russian air strike on the heart of the Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk on Thursday (July 7).

Local authorities said the missile damaged six buildings including a hotel and an apartment bloc in the large industrial hub.

The nearby city of Sloviansk, also in the Donetsk region, also came under fire. Mayor Vadym Lyakh said there had been casualties but gave no further details.

Russia, which invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, did not immediately comment on the situation in Kramatorsk or Sloviansk. It has denied deliberately targeting civilians.

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