Russian jet-powered Shahed attacks passenger train in Ukraine's Odesa Oblast

On August 23, a Russian jet-powered drone targeted the locomotive of passenger train No. 147 en route from Zhytomyr to Odesa, operating in Ukraine's Odesa Oblast. Ukrzaliznytsia CEO Oleksandr Pertsovskyi reported that an evacuation warning was issued in advance and the train was halted between stations, ensuring the safety of 593 passengers, including 15 children. Transportation has since been arranged for the passengers to reach Odesa.

Earlier, an air raid alert had been issued in Odesa Oblast, warning of the presence of jet-powered drones in the area. On August 13, a Russian drone strike on a passenger train in Odesa Oblast resulted in the death of the train driver and his assistant. Despite this ongoing threat, the locomotive crew persisted in operating the train to safely evacuate 340 passengers, with no injuries reported.

The attack occurred in the Berezivka district of Odesa Oblast. Russia has a history of targeting Ukrzaliznytsia's tracks, stations, depots, and trains. On August 7, it was reported that Russia had struck railway infrastructure 41 times in just five days, resulting in six worker fatalities and 17 injuries, with 11 locomotives damaged. Passengers faced 350 evacuations due to the risk of Russian strikes. Since August 27, Ukrzaliznytsia temporarily halted ticket sales for specific services and routes.