Russia escalates assaults on Ukraine’s trains in ‘struggle for the railways’

Supported by pillows in her hospital room, railway worker Olha Zolotova speaks softly as she recounts the incident when her train was struck by a Russian drone.

“When the Shahed [drone] impacted, I was buried in debris. I was in the second carriage. People rescued me,” she recounts.

“My vision went black. There was fire all around, everything was ablaze, my hair caught a little fire. I felt trapped.”

Olha is one of the casualties of Russia’s increasingly common assaults on the Ukrainian railway system – a critical infrastructure that maintains the nation’s mobility three and a half years into Moscow’s comprehensive invasion.

Ukraine’s railway network, stretching 21,000km (13,000 miles), serves not just as a transport system but as a vital element of Ukraine’s war strategy and a significant national emblem of steadfastness.

Her injuries were critical, necessitating her transport over 300km (185 miles) to a specialized hospital in the capital, Kyiv, that caters to railway personnel.

She just underwent surgery on her hip and had a metal plate placed in her leg.

Earlier this month, her train was attacked at a station in Shostka in the northern Sumy region.

As emergency responders aimed to assist the injured, a second Russian drone targeted the station – a tactic referred to as a “double tap”.

Ukraine asserts that civilians and rescue personnel were specifically targeted, which may constitute a war crime under international law.

In total, thirty individuals were injured. Among those hospitalized, three were children, and one man was found deceased, possibly from a heart attack.

As per national railway operator Ukrzaliznytsia (UZ), there were twice the number of assaults in September compared to August – affecting not only trains but also the infrastructure supporting the rail network.

Indeed, half of the assaults on the railways since the inception of the war have occurred in the past two months, according to Oleksiy Balesta, a deputy minister overseeing the rail system.

“Almost daily for the past two months, we have encountered targeted assaults on Ukrzaliznytsia facilities and power supply systems,” he states.

Balesta proposes that Russia has been “hunting for locomotives – purposely aiming at both cargo and passenger trains”.

In the backdrop of the deputy minister is a destroyed locomotive, part of Ukraine’s intercity fleet targeted during a particularly catastrophic night in late August in eastern Kyiv.

The assault also entailed a strike on a crucial rail junction in Koziatyn in central Vinnytsia region, causing delays and necessitating significant diversions.

As he speaks, Balesta receives a notification from his assistant. Another attack has occurred on a train between Kramatorsk and Sloviansk in the eastern Donetsk region, near the front line.

Already today, there have been three bomb threats on other services, prompting staff to evacuate the trains until bomb disposal experts have confirmed safety.

Officials highlight two main issues they believe have led to this surge in assaults.

First, Russia’s augmented ability to manufacture large quantities of relatively inexpensive Shahed-type drones daily, which can now cover greater distances.

Next is the near deadlock along the front line – leading to the Russian military shifting its attention to disrupt supply routes instead.

“There is a clear struggle for the railways,” asserts Oleksandr Pertsovskyi, UZ’s CEO.

“The adversary is attempting to halt our operations entirely. This forms part of a warfare strategy aimed at instilling fear in civilians, crippling our economy, and rendering the nation uninhabitable.”

Swiftly repairing damages, collaborating with the military, and instructing staff to identify possible sabotage threats are all essential components of Ukraine’s strategy, notes Pertsovskyi.

“Ultimately, we consistently have Plans B, C, and D. The objective is to never cancel a single service or destination. If a train can’t operate, we merge trains and buses.”

In addition to the logistics, there is also a keen focus on passenger morale.

“Recently, a train from Kyiv to Sumy had to be redirected, adding six hours due to safety precautions,” mentions the UZ leader.

“One passenger shared on social media that she’d be celebrating her birthday on the train instead of with her boyfriend – but expressed her understanding. We sent her a cake and flowers.”

The ongoing danger of missiles and drones makes air transport of people and goods throughout the country nearly unfeasible.

A significant portion of Ukraine’s vital grain and iron ore exports rely on trains heading to southern Black Sea ports and westward through Poland.

Visiting political leaders from across the globe also enter the country by train – a practice referred to as “iron diplomacy” by Ukrainians. The workers caught up in these attacks are regarded as “iron heroes”.

In the splendor of Kyiv’s central station, another governmental official presents bravery awards to the most recent cohort of Iron Heroes – those who battled the flames during the assault on the intercity depot.

“It was incredibly frightening because flames and destruction were rampant,” shares Oleksandr Leonenko, who played a role in dousing the fires. He proudly displays his award and mentions it signifies additional compensation.

The rise in attacks on the railway corresponds with Russia’s strikes against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. A recent wave of assaults has left hundreds of thousands without power.

Ukraine has concurrently initiated attacks on Russian oil facilities and asserts to have caused fuel shortages in numerous areas.

As Ukrainians anticipate their fourth winter since the onset of Russia’s comprehensive invasion, Oleksandr Pertsovskyi from UZ foresees that assaults on their infrastructure could result in the most severe winter yet.

Echoing sentiments from several Ukrainian officials, he urges the nation’s allies to furnish enhanced air defense systems.

“However, we are not hopeless. We are preparing both mentally and practically. Ukrainians continue to embody resilience.”

That resilience is poised to be tested to its limits in the months to come.

Additional reporting by Mariana Matveichuk and Anastasiia Levchenko