Key facts
- Russia has deliberately targeted Ukraine's railway network, escalating its war efforts.
- At least 12 people were killed and a dozen wounded in recent strikes on Kyiv and the surrounding region.
- Six railway employees died when a ballistic missile hit a locomotive depot.
- Ukraine's railway network, a vital lifeline for civilians and the economy, has been hit over 1,500 times this year.
- Since the full-scale invasion, 58 railway staff have been killed and 318 injured.
Russia has intensified its assault on Ukraine by deliberately targeting the nation's railway network, marking a deadly new phase of the conflict. In recent strikes on Kyiv, at least 12 people were killed, including six railway employees who died when a ballistic missile hit a locomotive depot. The state-owned railway company, Ukrzaliznytsia, reported significant damage to its facilities.
These attacks come as Russia has conducted continuous air raids on the Ukrainian capital for six days, aiming to disrupt daily life and demoralize its inhabitants. The railway system, Europe's third largest, has been a critical lifeline, transporting millions of civilians and serving as a backbone for Ukraine's economy and military logistics. Serhih Leshchenko, a member of Ukrzaliznytsia’s supervisory board, described the railway as the "backbone of Ukraine’s economy" and stated that Russia is attempting to destroy it.
Russia's tactics have evolved from targeting bridges to directly attacking rails, electricity substations, and now civilian locomotives and trains. This year alone, the network has been hit more than 1,500 times, resulting in hundreds of damaged carriages and locomotives. Passengers now face regular delays of up to 15 hours and are forced to take cover during air raids, with some passengers describing harrowing experiences of evacuation and hiding during drone attacks.
Since the full-scale invasion began, 58 railway staff have been killed and at least 318 injured. The attacks have also impacted Ukraine's economy by slowing the export of grain from its Black Sea ports. Ukraine is seeking air defense systems from Western partners to protect its trains from missiles and drones. In recent days, Russia has launched over 1,500 drones at Ukraine, many of which are harder to shoot down, leading to non-stop air raid sirens in Kyiv.