Russian Drone Strike Targets Ukrainian Passenger Train Near Poland Shortly After Visit by UK Former Prime Minister

September 14, Kathmandu – A Russian drone targeted a passenger train in the Yahodyn area near Ukraine’s border with Poland, damaging the engine. Fortunately, there were no reported casualties from the attack. Earlier on the same route, another train carrying a delegation of senior European security officials, including former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, had passed through.

According to Ukrainian officials, the attack took place in Yahodyn, approximately two kilometers from the Polish border. Several European national security advisers, including the UK’s National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell, had recently traveled this rail corridor. The officials were returning from a conference held in Kyiv. Russia has acknowledged carrying out the strike.

The Russian side stated that the attack targeted western Ukraine’s railway infrastructure. However, Ukraine’s state railway company suspects the actual target may have been the train carrying diplomats. Due to changes in the schedule, the train with diplomatic passengers had already departed the station earlier than planned. Taking into account the ongoing risk of Russian air attacks, the train’s timetable was adjusted. The railway company reported that passengers on the train that was struck were instructed to disembark just 15 minutes before the drone attack. Subsequently, the Russian jet-propelled drone struck the train’s engine.