Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has strongly condemned a Russian drone strike targeting a passenger train, labeling the act as “terrorism.” Local officials reported that the attack, which occurred in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv region on Tuesday, resulted in the deaths of at least four individuals. The train was carrying over 200 passengers when it was hit.
The condemnation follows closely on the heels of another deadly Russian drone attack in Ukraine’s southern port city of Odesa. Officials there stated that three people lost their lives during an overnight strike. Russia has not issued any official statement regarding these incidents. In recent months, Moscow has increased its deployment of drones and missiles, specifically aiming at Ukraine’s energy and transportation infrastructure. This escalation coincides with Ukraine experiencing one of its most severe winters in years, leaving millions without essential services like heating, electricity, and water.
President Vladimir Putin initiated a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Currently, Russian forces occupy approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory. In a social media posting late Tuesday, President Zelensky articulated his stance, stating, “In any country, a drone strike on a civilian train would be considered in exactly the same way – purely as terrorism.” He emphasized that there is no “military justification” for targeting civilians, noting that 18 people were within the specific carriage that sustained direct impact.
Images and video footage released by Ukraine’s emergency services starkly illustrate the aftermath of the attack. The visuals show at least one heavily damaged carriage engulfed in flames. Kharkiv’s regional prosecutor’s office confirmed the train was struck near the village of Yazykove. Reports indicate that one drone directly hit a carriage, while two others detonated near the train itself. The affected train was en route from Chop, a town near the western border, to Barvinkove in the Kharkiv region, passing through the regional capital, Kharkiv.
This railway line extends further east into the Donetsk region. It serves a dual purpose, accommodating both local residents and Ukrainian soldiers commuting to and from leave periods. The route is therefore vital for civilian transit and military movement.
In a separate incident, officials in Odesa reported that Russia launched more than 50 drones overnight, with the port city as the primary target. The drones aimed to strike energy facilities and other civilian infrastructure. Serhiy Lysak, the city’s military head, disclosed that three individuals were killed and 25 others sustained injuries in this attack. The strike caused several floors of one residential building to collapse, and numerous other structures sustained damage.
These continued aerial assaults by Russia persist despite the recent diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict. Last week, Ukraine and Russia participated in the latest round of talks aimed at securing an end to the war. These negotiations, which also included US negotiators, took place in the United Arab Emirates and were characterized by all parties as constructive. However, critical territorial disputes remain unresolved. Further discussions are anticipated to occur this weekend.