Tragedy in Kharkiv region: Death toll rises after drone attack on train
Illustrative photo: people injured after a drone attack (Getty Images)
Five people have been killed in a Russian drone attack on a passenger train in the Kharkiv region, according to the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office.
Under the procedural guidance of the Izium District Prosecutor’s Office, a pre-trial investigation has been launched into the commission of a war crime that caused human deaths (Part 2, Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
It is already known that the Russian army used three attack drones, reportedly of the Geran-2 type, in the strike on the passenger train. The Prosecutor’s Office also released photos illustrating the crime committed by the Russian military.
Photo: The Russian army attacked a passenger train in the Kharkiv region
Photo: The Russian army attacked a passenger train in the Kharkiv region
Photo: The Russian army attacked a passenger train in the Kharkiv region
Photo: The Russian army attacked a passenger train in the Kharkiv region
Photo: The Russian army attacked a passenger train in the Kharkiv region
Updated at 9:40 p.m.
According to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the death toll from the attack on the train had risen to four people.
Updated at 10:00 p.m.
Prosecutor’s data now confirms that five people have been killed.
"At this time, fragments of five bodies have been recovered at the scene. Identification of the deceased will only be possible after DNA testing," the statement said.
Photo: The Russian army attacked a passenger train in the Kharkiv region
Photo: The Russian army attacked a passenger train in the Kharkiv region
Photo: The Russian army attacked a passenger train in the Kharkiv region
Photo: The Russian army attacked a passenger train in the Kharkiv region
What is known about the incident
According to investigators, on January 27, near the village of Yazykove in the Barvinkove territorial community of Izium district, Russian forces attacked a passenger train on the Chop–Kharkiv–Barvinkove route, resulting in deaths and injuries to several passengers.
Authorities said that two strikes hit near the train, while a third struck a carriage directly, causing a fire.
At the time of the attack, 291 passengers were on board, all of whom were promptly evacuated.
According to the latest information, three people have been killed, and a man and a woman have sought medical assistance.
All emergency services are working at the scene: rescuers are extinguishing the fire, medical personnel are treating the injured, and law enforcement is collecting evidence for the investigation. The incident is being classified as another deliberate act of terror against civilians.
When Russia used Geran drones
In November 2025, Russian Geran kamikaze drones were used in an attack on an energy facility in Nizhyn, causing widespread power outages.
Earlier, the drones hit Chuhuiv. The strikes resulted in around six hits on the premises of a private food industry enterprise.
