Russia's train attack near Poland border may be part of pressure campaign on NATO, ISW says
Illustrative photo (Getty Images)
The Russian drone attack on a train near the border with Poland has drawn the attention of ISW analysts. Experts assessed the possible targets of the strike and linked the incident to Moscow's broader tactics, reports the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Russian strikes on Ukraine's border infrastructure may be part of a campaign to pressure NATO countries.
This conclusion was reached by analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) after assessing the attack on a train near the Yahodyn border crossing on September 13.
What happened near the border
That day, a Russian drone struck the locomotive of a train traveling from Kyiv toward Poland. Before the attack, Ukrzaliznytsia evacuated passengers about 15 minutes in advance.
According to ISW, at the time the train may have been carrying European representatives returning from Kyiv after the YES conference.
Among the passengers, analysts name German foreign policy adviser Günter Sautter, Bundestag member Robin Wagener, and former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
According to ISW's assessment, the combination of data indicates a high probability that European officials may have been the target of the strike.
"Russia is increasingly targeting Ukrainian border crossings and is escalating its drone incursions into European airspace in order to intimidate NATO into abandoning its support for Ukraine," the report says.
Pressure on NATO
ISW also recalled other similar incidents. Since August, Russian forces have attacked four border crossings between Ukraine and Moldova.
On September 8, a Russian drone entered Moldovan airspace at the moment when Volodymyr Zelenskyy's plane was preparing to take off from Chisinau.
Against this backdrop, analysts believe it is necessary to strengthen the protection of NATO's airspace. They propose considering the possibility of destroying Russian targets while they are still over Ukrainian territory and accelerating the strengthening of Ukraine's air defense.
During the Russian attack by a jet-powered drone on the locomotive of a civilian train at the Yahodyn station in the Volyn region, another passenger train was also there. Among its passengers was former CIA Director David Petraeus.
