DONETSK, Ukraine, Rabi'II 02, 1436, January 22, 2015, SPA -- Local authorities in the separatist stronghold in east Ukraine say at least seven people have been killed after a city bus was hit by an artillery shell, AP reported. The shell struck the vehicle Thursday morning in Donetsk, instantly killing numerous passengers and blowing out the windows of a nearby building. A rebel official at the site said up to 10 people may have been killed. Fighting between Ukrainian government troops and separatist forces surged after the New Year following a month of relative tranquility after a truce was declared in early December. Residential areas are frequently struck as a result of artillery duels between the warring sides. It was unclear Thursday who was responsible for the attack that led the shelling of the bus. --SPA 13:58 LOCAL TIME 10:58 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w