A drone attack conducted by Russia targeted a passenger train in northeastern Ukraine, resulting in the death of five individuals, according to prosecutors. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack as an act of terrorism. The strike, near a village in the Kharkiv region, led to the discovery of fragments from five bodies at the scene. The train, traveling from Chop near Ukraine’s western borders with Hungary and Slovakia to Barvinkove, was hit by a drone, causing at least two carriages to catch fire on the snow-covered railbed.
Zelenskyy, in a message on the Telegram app, emphasized the civilian nature of the train attack and called it an act of terrorism with no military justification. The President stressed the importance of protecting life and urged global unity in pressuring Russia. The drone strike involved one drone hitting the train and two others targeting the adjacent area.
Oleksandr Pertsovskyi, the CEO of Ukrzaliznytsia, the national rail company, expressed gratitude to rescue teams and passengers who assisted during the incident. He reassured the public of the continuity of train services despite the challenges faced, including the implementation of heightened security measures in certain locations. Meanwhile, in Odesa, southern Ukraine, Russian drones launched an overnight attack, resulting in three fatalities and 25 injuries. This assault was part of Russia’s ongoing winter campaign targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
Zelenskyy criticized the brutal assault on Odesa, involving over 50 drone strikes, as detrimental to ongoing diplomatic efforts. The Governor of Odesa reported damage to residential buildings, a church, a kindergarten, and a high school. The attacks in Odesa and Kharkiv have further escalated tensions, with negotiations between Ukrainian and Russian representatives approaching new talks amidst the ongoing conflict. Ukraine continues to seek strong security guarantees from allies, including the U.S., to safeguard against future Russian aggression.