Russian drones strike passenger train in Kharkiv region, injuries reported
Photo: Shahed drones hit a passanger train (t.me/OleksiiKuleba)
Russian drones attacked a passenger train in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, causing a fire in the electric locomotive and one of the railcars. There are wounded, according to Deputy Prime Minister for the Restoration of Ukraine - Minister for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine Oleksii Kuleba, as well as Kharkiv Regional State Administration head Oleh Syniehubov.
Syniehubov said that Russian Shahed drones struck a passenger train operating on the Barvinkove–Lviv–Chop route. The attack occurred in the Barvinkove community of the Kharkiv region.
"A passenger train came under enemy fire in the Barvinkove community. As a result of a Russian UAV attack, a train carriage and the electric locomotive caught fire," the official said.
It was later confirmed that enemy drones hit in front of the locomotive and a passenger carriage, sparking fires in the electric locomotive and one of the carriages.
At the time of the attack, there were 291 passengers on board. All were quickly evacuated. As of now, two people are reported injured. They were escorted out by the train crew and handed over to medics. The wounded have been hospitalized at local medical facilities.
"At this moment, there are two injured individuals. They were evacuated by the train crew and then transferred to emergency medical services. Both have been hospitalized," Kuleba said.
Backup buses have been arranged to transport passengers, and assistance is also being provided to those waiting at stations for the return trip. All emergency services are working at the scene, including rescuers, medics, and Ukrzaliznytsia (Ukrainian Railways - ed.) personnel.
Authorities stressed that the strike on the passenger train was a deliberate act of terror against civilians, with no military objective.
Other attacks on Ukrainian railways
Russian forces regularly attack Ukraine’s railway infrastructure, forcing Ukrzaliznytsia to repair damage and adjust train schedules.
For example, on January 11, it was reported that a locomotive driver and his assistant, employees of a freight locomotive, were injured during an enemy strike.
According to available information, a Shahed-type attack drone exploded near the locomotive. Monitoring personnel warned of the threat in advance. The locomotive crew managed to safely secure the engine but had no opportunity to evacuate and were forced to take cover on site.
