On January 28, at least five people were killed after Russian attack drones struck a passenger train in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, according to the regional prosecutor’s office. Ukrainian authorities stated that the attack occurred on Tuesday while the train was traveling from western to eastern parts of the country, carrying civilian passengers.

Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Kuleba said that three Iranian-made Shahed drones were involved in the attack. Preliminary information indicates that the first strike hit the locomotive, followed by another drone striking a passenger carriage, causing a fire. More than 200 people were on board the train at the time of the attack, including 18 passengers in the car that sustained a direct hit.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the incident as an “act of terrorism”, stressing that the train was a purely civilian target. He stated that the strike constitutes a serious violation of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions, which prohibit attacks on civilians and civilian transport.

Emergency services responded promptly to the scene, evacuating passengers and extinguishing the fire. Several injured passengers remain in critical condition. Ukrainian officials said the incident is being formally documented for potential submission to international judicial bodies. As of publication, no official response from Russian authorities had been issued.

The attack comes amid intensified Russian strikes on Ukraine’s transportation and energy infrastructure. Military analysts note that the railway network is vital for civilian mobility and logistics, making attacks on such targets particularly dangerous for the civilian population.

Experts in international law argue that deliberate strikes on passenger transport may constitute war crimes if it is proven that there was no military necessity and that civilians were harmed. Analysts also point out that the widespread use of long-range drones reduces strike precision and increases the risk of damage to non-military targets. Ukrainian authorities continue to call on international partners to strengthen the country’s air defense capabilities and expand sanctions pressure on Russia, warning that such attacks undermine any prospects for de-escalation of the conflict.

#RUSSIA

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28.01.2026 08:46