In a recent escalation of hostilities, Russian drones targeted the Shostka train station in northeastern Ukraine, resulting in the death of a 71-year-old man and injuring at least eight others. The attack left train cars severely damaged by fire and shrapnel, highlighting a surge in assaults on Ukraine’s railway system since mid-summer. Ukrainian officials report that these strikes are part of a broader Russian strategy to disrupt commercial and military logistics by targeting critical infrastructure with increasingly precise long-range drone technology. Oleksandr Pertsovskyi, CEO of the Ukrainian state railway, emphasized that the attacks aim to sow unrest in border regions by severing rail connections. Since August alone, there have been approximately 300 attacks on railway infrastructure, averaging about 10 per week. Ukraine’s rail network, which handles over 63% of the country’s freight and 37% of passenger traffic, is vital for transporting grain, metal exports, and military aid. Russian forces have enhanced their drone capabilities by equipping them with cameras and radio modems, allowing real-time adjustments to flight paths and significantly increasing precision. Ukrainian repair crews have been working tirelessly to restore services swiftly, with track repairs often completed within hours. Despite the relentless attacks, Ukrainian officials remain determined to keep the trains running, viewing their resilience as a defiance against Russian aggression.
Russia makes more precise drones and is using them to attack Ukraine’s vital rail network
