Russia's strike near Poland put Ukraine's railway lifeline in focus. But the bigger threat lies elsewhere

On September 13, a Russian drone targeted the Kyiv–Warsaw passenger train just two kilometers from the Polish border near Yahodyn. The attack, while causing no casualties, highlighted one of Ukraine's most vital connections to the outside world amidst Russia's ongoing war: its railway system. Ukrainian state railway company Ukrzaliznytsia's monitoring team detected the threat in time to evacuate the crew before the drone strike.

Russia's targeting of Ukraine's railway has intensified in 2026, as the country increasingly relies on it for passengers, trade, diplomacy, and wartime logistics. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi stated that the primary objective is to disrupt logistics, including passenger traffic and the movement of goods, as well as to weaken Ukraine's economy and impede transport links with neighboring nations.

The railway's significance is underscored by the fact that Ukraine historically developed around an extensive rail network, relying heavily on it for freight and passenger transportation compared to many European countries. Roughly 60% of Ukraine's freight and 37% of its domestic and international passenger traffic are carried by rail.

In international trade, about half of Ukrainian exports are transported by rail. The railway has also played a crucial role in "iron diplomacy," transporting foreign dignitaries between the western border and Kyiv since the airspace was closed in 2022. However, the railway's heavy dependence on locomotives, which are difficult to replace due to Ukraine's unique 1,520-millimeter rail gauge, poses a significant challenge.

More than 500 Ukrainian locomotives have been damaged or destroyed by Russian attacks, with the majority occurring this year alone. Replacing these locomotives is a time-consuming process that cannot be rapidly resolved. The recent allowance of trains to continue operating under lower-level air threats has further eased some restrictions, but the broader impact of these disruptions on the railway network and the country's economy remains a pressing concern.