A drone attack carried out by Russia targeted a passenger train in northeastern Ukraine, resulting in the deaths of five individuals, according to prosecutors. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the incident as an act of terrorism. The strike, which occurred near a village in the Kharkiv region, left remnants of five bodies at the scene. The train, traveling from Chop near Ukraine’s western borders to Barvinkove, had two carriages engulfed in flames beside the snow-covered railbed, as depicted in online images.
Zelenskyy emphasized on the Telegram messaging app that any drone strike on a civilian train should be unequivocally condemned as an act of terrorism with no military justification. He stressed the importance of protecting lives and called for international pressure on Russia. Prosecutors confirmed that one drone targeted the train while two others struck an adjacent area. Zelenskyy mentioned that the train had over 200 passengers, with 18 individuals in the affected wagon.
Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba labeled the attack as a direct act of Russian terrorism, echoing Zelenskyy’s sentiments. Ukrzaliznytsia CEO Oleksandr Pertsovskyi expressed gratitude towards rescue teams and passengers who assisted during the crisis, assuring the continuity of train operations despite challenges. The CEO highlighted the implementation of enhanced security measures in some areas to maintain services.
Additionally, Russian drones conducted an overnight assault on Odesa in southern Ukraine, resulting in three fatalities and 25 injuries. Zelenskyy described the attack as brutal, emphasizing its detrimental impact on diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict. The strikes caused extensive damage to residential buildings, a church, a kindergarten, and a high school in Odesa, with casualties including children and a pregnant woman.
In Kharkiv, the second-largest city in Ukraine, Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported that 40% of households remained without electricity following a combined drone and missile attack. Ukrainian air defenses neutralized a significant number of drones launched by Russian troops overnight. Zelenskyy called for international allies to exert pressure on Moscow and provide robust security guarantees to prevent future aggression from Russia.
As negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian officials continue, the need for sustained international support and diplomatic pressure remains crucial for achieving lasting peace in the region.