Ukraine steps up measures to protect railways
As Russia increases its attacks on Ukraine's rail infrastructure, the Ukrainian government has called for help to replace destroyed locomotives and is making plans to keep passengers safe.
The Ukrainian rail operator Ukrzaliznytsia has intensified its efforts to safeguard railways following a surge in Russian drone attacks. Over 1,600 such incidents were reported in the first eight months of 2026, with multiple attacks on locomotives, stations, and infrastructure. A train between Kyiv and Mykolaiv was struck on September 16, while another train in Volhynia was targeted near the Polish border.
Two days prior, a locomotive was attacked at Yahodyn border crossing. Despite the quick evacuation, no one was injured as the system had detected the drone beforehand.
CIA Director David Petraeus was also on a train at the same station at the time. Diplomatic trains, carrying high-profile figures, were among those targeted, suggesting the Russian attacks aimed to destabilize Ukraine's logistics system. Russia has damaged or destroyed over 500 Ukrainian locomotives since the invasion began in 2022, with more than half occurring this year.
Ukrainian officials have called for tighter sanctions on Russia and financial aid to procure more modern locomotives compatible with Ukraine's broad-gauge railway system. They emphasize the critical role railways play in evacuating civilians, transporting cargo, and ensuring the flow of essential goods. Technologically advanced Russian Shahed-type drones, capable of faster strikes, have complicated defensive measures.
Ukrzaliznytsia is developing early detection systems and enhancing electronic warfare capabilities to counter these threats.
Written by urgent.news from DW English (Top Stories)'s reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
