Russians fire at crowded bus stop in Toretsk: eight dead, three children among injured

That’s according to the chief of the Donetsk Regional Military Administration, Pavlo Kyrylenko, who broke the news on Telegram, Ukrinform reports.

"Eight dead, four wounded – these are the consequences of the shelling of Toretsk, which the Russians carried out around 11:00 today. Three children are among the four wounded. According to preliminary information, it was artillery fire. They hit a bus stop, where there was a crowd at that time," Kyrylenko wrote.

In addition, the Russians damaged the church and injured a local priest, also inflicting damage to the surrounding apartment blocks.

"Every day the Russian occupiers hit civilians – every day our people get killed and wounded. I appeal to all those who still remain in Donetsk are putting themselves in mortal danger! I appeal to all residents of the region: do not turn yourself into a Russian target! Evacuate now!" emphasized the head of the region.

As reported, the aggressor has been constantly shelling Donetsk region, killing and injuring citizens, destroying the civilian infrastructure in populated areas. Gas supply has long been severed across the region, while many settlements were also deprived of water supplies. The enemy is trying to penetrate Ukrainian defenses in several directions, albeit unsuccessfully, being forced to retreat.

No more than 235,000 people directly involved in defense and critical infrastructure maintenance should remain in Donetsk region until the autumn-winter period, while the rest should evacuate, according to Ukrainian officials. Until February 24, some 1,670,000 people permanently resided in Donetsk region.

Deputy Prime Minister - Minister for Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories Iryna Vereshchuk announced that mandatory evacuation from Donetsk region has kicked off.