At NATO’s doorstep, Russian drones struck a gas station and passenger train near Ukraine’s border with Poland

On September 12, 2026, Russian forces launched drone strikes on a gas station and a train near the Yahodyn border crossing, just a few kilometers from the Ukrainian-Polish border. A major fire erupted at the gas station, causing nearby trucks to catch fire as well. Two drivers sustained injuries, per Suspilne. In addition, a supermarket building sustained damage. Yahodyn serves as one of the primary road crossings between Ukraine and Poland.

Russian forces also targeted a locomotive of a passenger train situated approximately two kilometers away from the Polish border. The Ukrainian Railways' press service reported that the train crew had been given a warning about the potential for a strike, which helped prevent casualties. However, the conflict has disrupted train schedules across the nation, with the Konotop–Zhmerynka train currently running more than 18 hours behind schedule, and several other services delayed by nine to ten hours. Numerous other trains are experiencing delays ranging from two to six hours.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha labeled Russia's strikes near the Ukrainian-Polish border as "Putin's terror," which is directly "knocking" at the doors of the EU and NATO. He called upon European nations to implement comprehensive sanctions against Putin's aggressive regime, including a full trade embargo and a ban on Russians entering their countries.

Russia's Defense Ministry claimed that it had conducted strikes in Ukraine's western regions, targeting "railway infrastructure facilities supporting the transport of military cargo from European nations." Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, a new round of trilateral talks involving Russia, Ukraine, and the United States may be scheduled for October, with Abu Dhabi being considered as a suitable venue.

U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who had previously visited Moscow and Kyiv, expressed a desire to resume trilateral negotiations. Ukrainian President's Office head Kyrylo Budanov also suggested that trilateral talks could reconvene in October.