At least 30 individuals sustained injuries in a severe assault when a Russian drone targeted a passenger train at a Ukrainian railway station, described as a deliberate act of terrorism. Video footage captured the moment of the strike, revealing the destruction of a twisted engine and a burning carriage at Shostka station. Immediate efforts were made to rescue the wounded and provide medical aid.
Oleksandr Pertsovsky, the head of Ukraine’s railways, disclosed on Facebook that two trains were struck, with three children and a staff member among the injured passengers. According to Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister and Reconstruction Minister Oleksiy Kuleba, Russia attacked two passenger trains in rapid succession, first hitting a local service and then targeting another heading to Kyiv. The second drone assault occurred during an ongoing evacuation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the Shahed drone strike as a senseless attack on civilians by Vladimir Putin, urging the global community to react to the atrocity. Zelensky emphasized the need for immediate action, stating that mere words were insufficient in the face of such brutality.
Reports indicated that around 30 people were wounded on the train traveling from Shostka to Kyiv, a region that has been under constant bombardment for months. Regional governor Oleh Hryhorov confirmed that emergency personnel were actively assisting at the scene.
Both Zelensky and Governor Oleh Hryhorov shared images from the incident, showing a passenger carriage engulfed in flames. The drone strikes also disrupted the power supply in Shostka and neighboring areas, impacting thousands of residents.
Following the assault, no fatalities were reported, but officials condemned the attack as a malicious attempt to disrupt communication with frontline communities. Ukraine’s top diplomat, Andrii Sybiha, criticized Russia’s actions, describing the deliberate targeting of rescuers and evacuees as a brutal tactic.
Moscow’s intensified airstrikes on Ukraine’s railway network, critical for military transport, have become a frequent occurrence over the past months. The Kremlin has also escalated attacks on Ukraine’s power grid, aiming to disrupt essential services and infrastructure.
Recent drone and missile attacks on Ukraine’s energy facilities have caused significant damage, resulting in widespread power outages. Ukrainian officials have accused Russia of launching a sustained assault on critical infrastructure, jeopardizing the well-being of civilians and escalating tensions in the region.
