Drone strike hits Ukrainian passenger train near Kharkiv, five killed
Drone strike hits Ukrainian passenger train near Kharkiv, five killed
A Russian drone attack on a passenger train in northeastern Ukraine kills five and prompts condemnation from Kyiv as civilians bear the brunt of the war.
A drone strike in northeastern Ukraine struck a passenger train traveling through Kharkiv region, killing five people and injuring others as the carriage caught fire. Prosecutors said there were just over 200 passengers on board when the attack occurred, with fragments of bodies found at the scene. The strike involved a single drone hitting the train, while two others hit an area alongside it, underscoring the indiscriminate nature of the attack.
The train was operating from Chop, near Ukraine’s western borders with Hungary and Slovakia, to Barvinkove when the assault took place. Rescue teams and passengers helped evacuate survivors, and railway officials pledged that services would continue despite the disruption, with stricter security measures being considered in certain locations.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the strike as terrorism, saying there is no military purpose in attacking a civilian train and that such acts undermine ongoing peace efforts. He urged international partners to step up pressure on Moscow to end the war. Ukrzaliznytsia’s leadership thanked rescuers and passengers and reiterated their commitment to keeping trains moving while reviewing safety protocols.
The attack adds to a string of strikes in the region and highlights the ongoing threat to civilians amid the conflict. Analysts say the incident could influence international diplomacy and humanitarian assistance discussions as winter approaches and energy and transport infrastructure remain under pressure.
