Russian Drone Strikes Kill One, Injure Dozens at Ukrainian Railway Station
On Saturday, Russian drone strikes hit a railway station in Shostka, Sumy region, northeastern Ukraine, resulting in at least one death and dozens of injuries. The attack targeted passenger trains and caused significant damage to railway infrastructure, prompting condemnation from Ukrainian officials and international concern.
The Attack and its Aftermath
According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the strikes were a "savage" act targeting civilians. The Russian forces hit two passenger trains in quick succession. The first attack struck a local commuter service, followed by a strike on a train bound for Kyiv. Oleksiy Kuleba, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister and Reconstruction Minister, stated that the second drone hit while an evacuation was underway, exacerbating the casualties.
The strikes resulted in the death of a 71-year-old man and injuries to at least 30 others, including three children. Oleh Hryhorov, the regional governor, shared images of a passenger carriage engulfed in flames. Emergency services were deployed to the scene to assist the injured and evacuate survivors.
Oleksandr Pertsovsky, the head of Ukraine’s national rail operator, Ukrzaliznytsia, described the strike as "a vile attack aimed at stopping communication with our front-line communities." He highlighted that there was "no military purpose" to the attack, which appeared designed to "sow panic among people."
Zelenskyy's Response and Calls for Action
President Zelenskyy condemned the attack as an act of terror, stating, "The Russians could not have been unaware that they were targeting civilians. This is terrorism, which the world has no right to ignore." He urged Europe and America to take "strong action" against Russia, emphasizing that "lip service is not enough now." He reiterated the need for increased defense support, particularly in air defense capabilities, to protect Ukraine from aerial attacks.
"The Russians could not have been unaware that they were targeting civilians. This is terrorism, which the world has no right to ignore. Every day Russia takes people’s lives. And only strength can make them stop." - Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Broader Context: Escalating Attacks on Ukrainian Infrastructure
The drone strike on the railway station is part of a broader pattern of escalating Russian attacks on Ukraine's critical infrastructure, particularly its railway network and power grid. These attacks have intensified in recent months, as Moscow seeks to disrupt military transport and inflict hardship on the civilian population ahead of the approaching winter. Russia's increased airstrikes are seen as an attempt to "weaponize the approaching winter by denying civilians heat, light and running water."
Ukraine’s energy infrastructure has also been targeted in recent attacks. An energy firm reported that Russian drones and missiles struck Ukraine’s power grid, a day after what officials described as the biggest attack on Ukrainian natural gas facilities since the war began. These strikes caused damage to energy facilities near Chernihiv, resulting in blackouts affecting approximately 50,000 households.
Ukraine's Retaliation and Fuel Shortages in Russia
In response to Russia’s attacks, the Ukrainian military reported hitting one of Russia’s largest oil refineries, the Kirishi refinery near St. Petersburg. The drone strike caused blasts and a fire at the refinery, which is a major producer of crude oil. These attacks have contributed to fuel shortages in Russia, prompting the government to pause gasoline exports to stabilize domestic supplies.
Other Casualties and International Condemnation
In a separate incident, a French photojournalist, Antoni Lallican, was killed in eastern Ukraine by a Russian drone strike while reporting from the front lines. This incident adds to the growing list of journalists who have lost their lives covering the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The international community continues to condemn Russia's actions and call for an end to the violence.
