Slovyansk and Kramatorsk remain the largest cities under full Ukrainian control in the eastern Donbas. Ukrainian police now urge all remaining civilians to leave because of intensified Russian strikes. Glide bomb attacks have risen sharply, causing mounting casualties and widespread destruction.

Why are civilians being told to leave Slovyansk and Kramatorsk?

Police in Donetsk region state that security conditions have deteriorated so rapidly that staying in the two cities now poses an immediate threat to life. Forced evacuations of families with children have already started in the most exposed districts. Officials describe the measure as the only remaining way to protect residents from daily Russian strikes. Pavlo Dyachenko of Donetsk police said this is the only way to save your life because security has deteriorated so much. He noted that Slovyansk used to be hit by glide bombs roughly once a week but now faces them almost every day. The neighbouring cities are the biggest still under full Ukrainian control in the eastern Donbas region and form part of the fortress belt of heavily reinforced defence lines. In the worst affected areas the forced evacuations have begun precisely because the situation has become untenable for those who remain.

How have Russian attacks on the fortress belt changed this summer?

Ukrainian police data recorded 40 glide bombs in June rising to 109 in July and 92 in August. Civilian injuries in Slovyansk and Kramatorsk increased from 70 in June to 212 in August. Sixteen people were killed in June 20 in July and 15 in August. Residential buildings and infrastructure have suffered repeated hits leaving many streets heavily damaged. The number of civilians wounded by Russian attacks on the two cities rose sharply over the summer according to the same police figures studied by the BBC. Residential housing comes under attack as well as infrastructure causing very significant destruction. These statistics reflect the intense pressure now concentrated on the fortress belt where Russian ground assaults have focused for the past few months.

Glide bomb strikes on Kramatorsk in late August

On 25 August nine glide bombs struck Kramatorsk. Seven landed on apartment blocks wounding 24 people including a two-month-old infant. Two days later another seven bombs hit the city and five targeted Slovyansk. The weapons fitted with winglets can weigh 250 kg 500 kg or in some cases 1 500 kg. Fitted with winglets so they can glide to their target rather than fall glide bombs are considered one of the most effective and lethal weapons in Russia’s arsenal. The devastation they cause is simply incredible according to Dyachenko. Usually they weigh 250 or 500 kg but there have been cases of Russia deploying bombs that weigh 1 500 kg.

What is the current military situation around the three fortress cities?

Slovyansk Kramatorsk and Kostyantynivka form Ukraine’s eastern defence line. Kostyantynivka now has only a limited Ukrainian troop presence while Russia claims full control. Russian forces already hold nearly all of Luhansk region and almost 80 percent of Donetsk region. Capturing the remaining cities would open a route westward for further advances. The full capture of Donbas made up of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions is a key objective for Russia. Moscow has often cited the liberation and protection of the predominantly Russian-speaking Donbas as justification for the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Russian army already controls almost all of Luhansk region and is now in control of almost 80 percent of Donetsk region too where all three fortress cities lie.

How are residents and volunteers describing daily life under the strikes?

Volunteers report that remote-controlled FPV drones are frequently heard overhead and lie in ambush on roads. Anti-drone nets now cover many streets. Explosions occur constantly in the background. One volunteer noted that driving anywhere in the cities has become lethally dangerous. Viktor Makurin a volunteer from London said there are often FPV drones in the air you can hear them through the window. Driving around the city is lethally dangerous. There are drones lying in ambush on the roads too. You can always hear explosions in the background plus there are mobile groups firing at drones. Over the summer the number of civilians wounded increased sharply and many have already left.

What political developments surround the Donbas front line?

President Zelensky has stated that Russian forces have orders to complete the occupation of Donbas by the end of the year. He has formed two new task forces under generals Andriy Biletsky and Denys Prokopenko to defend the remaining Ukrainian-held areas. Recent US envoy visits to Kyiv reportedly discussed the future of these territories. What happens to the areas of Donbas still under Ukrainian control was reportedly a key issue when US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner visited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last weekend after their talks with Putin. In the past Witkoff has appeared to back Russian claims to the region but Zelensky is refusing to pull troops out of it. He says Putin has given his generals until the end of the year to complete their occupation of Donbas. Putin’s primary objective on the front line remains the same Kostyantynivka-Slovyansk Zelensky told journalists last month. Faced with mounting military pressure the Ukrainian leader has created two new taskforces headed by experienced generals to defend the portion of Donbas still in Ukrainian hands. What is probably the main battle of this year and the next is now unfolding.

Frequently asked questions

What are glide bombs and why are they feared?

Glide bombs are converted munitions fitted with wings that allow them to glide long distances before impact. Ukrainian officials describe them as one of Russia’s most effective weapons because of their destructive power and the difficulty of interception. They are silent killers and when you have been abruptly woken by one exploding you know at least another one will follow according to volunteers who have experienced the strikes.

How many civilians have left the two cities so far?

Police and volunteers say many residents have already departed. Exact current population figures are not published but the remaining numbers are described as low and still declining. Key streets are now covered with anti-drone nets as the cities face intense strikes from drones and bombs.

Is Kostyantynivka still under Ukrainian control?

Reports indicate only a limited Ukrainian military presence remains. Russia claims full control but Ukrainian authorities have not confirmed the city’s complete loss. The city lies to the south of Slovyansk and Kramatorsk and forms part of the same fortress belt defence system.

Why is full capture of Donbas important to Russia?

Moscow has repeatedly cited the liberation of the predominantly Russian-speaking Donbas as a core objective of the full-scale invasion. Control of the region would also improve Russian logistics for operations further west. The Russian army already controls almost all of Luhansk and nearly 80 percent of Donetsk.

What protective measures are in place for those who stay?

Anti-drone nets have been installed over key streets. Mobile groups attempt to shoot down drones but officials still consider the risk too high for civilians to remain. The only way to save your life according to police is to leave the area entirely.