Russian Drone Attack on Civilian Train in Ukraine Kills Five People
In a devastating incident that has drawn international condemnation, a Russian drone strike targeted a passenger train in north-eastern Ukraine, resulting in the deaths of five individuals. The attack occurred on Tuesday near a village in the Kharkiv region, with Ukrainian prosecutors confirming the grim discovery of fragments from five bodies at the scene.
Zelenskyy Condemns Act as Terrorism Undermining Peace Efforts
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has described the drone strike as a clear act of terrorism, stating that it serves no legitimate military purpose. In a strongly worded message on the Telegram messaging app, Zelenskyy emphasised that such attacks on civilian infrastructure erode ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.
"In any country, a drone strike on a civilian train would be considered in exactly the same way – purely as terrorism. There is not and cannot be any military purpose in this," Zelenskyy wrote. He further warned that every Russian strike of this nature undermines the work of international partners who are striving to bring about a peaceful resolution to the war.
Details of the Attack and Evacuation Efforts
The passenger train was operating on a route from Chop, located near Ukraine's western borders with Hungary and Slovakia, to the town of Barvinkove. According to official reports, one drone directly struck the train, while two additional drones hit an area alongside the railway line.
Photographs from the scene, shared online, depicted at least two train carriages engulfed in flames beside a snow-covered railbed. Initial passenger numbers varied between reports, with Zelenskyy stating the train was carrying over 200 people, including 18 in the wagon that was hit, while prosecutors had earlier cited a figure of 155 passengers on board.
Oleksandr Pertsovskyi, the Chief Executive Officer of Ukraine's national railway company Ukrzaliznytsia, expressed gratitude to rescue teams and fellow passengers who assisted in the evacuation. Despite the increasing challenges, Pertsovskyi affirmed the railway's commitment to maintaining services, albeit with enhanced security measures in certain areas.
Broader Context of Russian Attacks on Ukrainian Infrastructure
This attack on civilian rail transport occurs amidst a wider pattern of Russian assaults on Ukrainian infrastructure. In a separate incident, regional officials reported that a barrage of more than 50 Russian drones struck the southern port city of Odesa, resulting in three fatalities and over thirty injuries.
Odesa, a critical hub for Ukrainian exports via the Black Sea, has faced routine bombardment since the onset of the full-scale invasion nearly four years ago. Among the wounded in Odesa was a woman who was 39 weeks pregnant, highlighting the severe impact on civilians.
Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba characterised the train attack as a "direct act of Russian terror," reflecting the government's stance that such strikes deliberately target non-combatants and essential services. The incident underscores the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the difficulties faced by Ukraine in protecting its citizens and maintaining critical transport links during the conflict.
