Ukrainian railway operator, Ukrzaliznytsia, reports a surge in Russian military strikes aimed at the country’s railway infrastructure, particularly targeting rolling stock. Since early March, there have been 18 recorded attacks, averaging six per day, utilizing drones and FPV (First Person View) technology.
According to Ukrzaliznytsia, 41 facilities have been damaged this month, including 17 units of rolling stock. The attacks have also affected passenger cars, with a recent incident in Mykolaiv where a drone targeted a passenger carriage. Fortunately, a monitoring team detected the drone in time to evacuate passengers, resulting in no fatalities, although a train observer sustained injuries.
The strikes have not only targeted passenger cars but also locomotives, freight wagons, and specialized equipment used for infrastructure repairs. This month, railway depots and bridges have also come under fire, with the majority of attacks occurring near the front lines. Despite these challenges, Ukrzaliznytsia continues to monitor airspace along train routes in collaboration with military forces. If threats are detected, they adjust train routes and swiftly evacuate passengers, emphasizing the importance of maintaining connections to frontline regions.
Additionally, Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba reported that, aside from the Mykolaiv attack on March 4, Russian forces attempted to strike a passenger train traveling from Dnipro to Kovel the previous evening. Railway personnel quickly implemented safety protocols, halting the train and evacuating passengers, which prevented injuries as the drone struck just meters from the locomotive. Once the danger passed, the train resumed its journey.
Russian forces have consistently targeted Ukrzaliznytsia’s infrastructure, leading to numerous strikes on both passenger and freight trains.
Ukrzaliznytsia has reported a significant increase in Russian drone attacks on Ukraine's railway infrastructure, with multiple incidents resulting in damage to rolling stock and passenger trains. The railway operator continues to implement safety measures to protect passengers amid ongoing threats.