A Russian drone strike hit a railway station in the Ukrainian town of Shostka, in the Sumy region, on Saturday killing one person and injuring about 30 others, officials say.
Two passenger trains were struck in quick succession. The first drone hit a local commuter service, while the second struck a train bound for Kyiv during rescue and evacuation efforts. The dual-strike tactic is being denounced by Ukraine as a deliberate attempt to hit both victims and first responders.
The victim killed was a 71-year-old man found dead in one of the wrecked carriages. Several others sustained injuries ranging from shrapnel wounds to burns. At least eight of the wounded were admitted to hospital in serious condition.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded sharply to the attack, calling it “savage” and accusing Moscow of targeting civilians. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha condemned the use of a “double-tap” strike a strategy whereby an initial attack is followed by a second one aimed at rescuers and onlookers.
Shostka lies roughly 70 km northeast of Kyiv, near the Russian border. The region has seen repeated assaults on infrastructure including rail lines and energy networks measures aimed at disrupting civilian life, authorities say.
Ukraine’s national rail operator confirmed that train services were heavily damaged, with locomotives destroyed and carriages set ablaze. The strike also knocked out power supplies in parts of Shostka, further complicating rescue and communication efforts.
Security and rescue teams responded to the scene under continued threat of further attacks. Firefighters worked to douse lingering blazes, while medics tended to the wounded in makeshift field triage setups.
The Sumy regional governor warned that further strikes on transport hubs are expected, especially as Moscow intensifies efforts to isolate frontline communities. He urged civilians to stay clear of rail facilities and avoid gathering near transit infrastructure.
International observers and Ukrainian officials argue that targeting civilian railroads violates the laws of war, especially when the attacks affect unarmed passengers and essential infrastructure.
As winter approaches and colder weather looms, damage to Ukraine’s rail and power systems becomes more dangerous. Analysts warn the assault may not only cost lives now but strain evacuation, supply lines, and humanitarian aid movement in affected areas.
This attack underlines Russia’s continued focus on crippling Ukraine’s mobility, supply chains, and civilian resilience. For many Ukrainians, it is another reminder of the brutal cost of conflict.
