At least 14 people were killed and 14 others wounded after a Russian drone struck a busy railway platform in the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro on Thursday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the attack as “horrific” and called for stronger international sanctions against Moscow.
Dnipropetrovsk regional governor Oleksandr Ganzha stated that six of the injured were in severe condition with multiple shrapnel wounds. Among the wounded were an 11-year-old boy, and one man required both legs to be amputated. Images released by Ukrainian emergency services showed bodies on the platform, rescuers assisting victims, and two burnt-out passenger trains with shattered windows.
Ukraine’s air force reported that it intercepted three jet-powered drones, but a fourth evaded defenses and hit the station. According to Ukraine’s state railway operator, Ukrzaliznytsia, a passenger train bound for the southern city of Zaporizhzhia was at one of the platforms when the drone struck.
Wider Attacks and Ceasefire Efforts
The Dnipro attack was part of a series of Russian strikes across Ukraine. On Thursday, two 15-year-old girls were killed and at least 25 others, including four children, were injured in a Russian missile attack on the city center of Chernihiv, north of Kyiv. In Kremenchuk, a Russian drone attack on residential buildings and a school killed three people and injured 28, including a six-year-old.
Meanwhile, a fragile local ceasefire in the ravaged city of Oleshky, under Russian occupation since 2022, held into its third day. Residents of Oleshky have faced months of food, water, and medicine shortages. Ukraine’s human rights ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinets, announced on Thursday that he had departed with a Ukrainian delegation towards Oleshky to personally assess the situation and the progress of the humanitarian mission.
International Reactions and Sanctions
President Zelensky reiterated his criticism of a recent deal between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin that eased some US sanctions on Russia, allowing Moscow to release diesel onto global markets. He questioned the number of such “terrorist strikes” Russia has carried out since sanctions were lifted, urging America not to remain silent about the killings.
French President Emmanuel Macron reacted with outrage, emphasizing the need for “far more than a localized ceasefire.” European Union Council President Antonio Costa called for greater pressure on Russia, stating that the EU would continue to increase pressure and support Ukraine until a just and lasting peace is achieved. A day of mourning has been declared for Chernihiv and Dnipro on Friday.
Background of Railway Attacks
Russia has been targeting Ukraine’s railway network with drone attacks since its full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Moscow claims its attacks on railway infrastructure target the transport of military personnel and equipment, though it denies deliberately targeting civilians. According to Ukrzaliznytsia, attacks on railway facilities have significantly increased, with almost 60% of the 521 locomotives hit since February 2022 occurring this year alone.
Background
- Russia has been targeting Ukraine's railway network with drone attacks since its full-scale invasion began in February 2022.
- Since 2022, the city of Oleshky has been under Russian occupation, and its residents have faced months of food, water, and medicine shortages.
- Earlier this month, a deal between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin eased some US sanctions on Russia, allowing the US to import Russian diesel.
