A Ukrainian soldier has described the moment a passenger train was targeted by Russian drones, killing five people.
When a carriage on the train was hit in northeastern Ukraine, passengers threw themselves on the floor in panic. The military officer on board, identified as Omar, told them to get out immediately—an instruction crucial for saving lives just moments before the carriage burst into flames.
Omar, part of Ukraine's 93rd brigade, was on the train travelling from Chop, on the Slovak border, to Barvinkove, near the front line. The first of three Russian drones struck near the train, forcing it to halt. Just moments later, as Omar recounted, they heard a rumble followed by a loud explosion that shattered parts of the carriage.
Realizing the danger, Omar led the passengers to evacuate quickly as the train could be hit again. A total of 291 people were aboard at the time. After the drone strikes, chaos erupted; many passengers were deeply distressed, screaming as they fled the smoldering wreck.
President Zelensky condemned the drone strike as an act of terrorism, attacking the heart of Ukraine's railway system—vital for many citizens who rely on it amid ongoing conflict. The event has reignited concerns about the safety of civilian spaces in the war-torn nation.
The attack also underlined the vulnerability of transportation routes that civilians depend on, particularly as the railway spans over 21,000 km and remains a symbol of resilience in Ukraine.
In the aftermath, flags flew at half-mast across train stations nationwide, commemorating the victims of the attack. Despite the serious threat to safety, train services were resumed on the affected line just hours later, a testament to the resilience of Ukraine amid ongoing challenges.
