Russian Drone Hits Train Near Ukraine-Poland Border After Johnson Passes

A Russian drone struck a passenger train near Ukraine’s border with Poland shortly after former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and senior European security officials travelled through the area.

The strike hit the train’s engine near Yahodyn, around 2km (1.2 miles) from the Polish border. However, Ukrainian authorities reported no casualties.

Passengers had already evacuated the train before the strike. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s state railway company said the drone may have targeted a diplomatic train carrying European officials.

European Officials Had Recently Passed Through

Johnson and other European national security advisers travelled along the same railway on another train. Among them was the UK’s national security adviser Jonathan Powell.

The officials were returning from the Yalta European Strategy conference in Kyiv. Earlier, former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt had also attended the conference.

Bildt said passengers on his train received an evacuation order after the train stopped. After several minutes, officials told them the route was clear and the train continued toward Poland.

The train later reached the Polish border station at Dorohusk safely.

Petraeus Calls Strike ‘Terrifying’

Former CIA chief David Petraeus was at Yahodyn station on another train when the drone struck. He described the incident as terrifying.

In comments to The New York Times, Petraeus criticised Russian President Vladimir Putin. He said the attack appeared aimed at frightening Ukrainian civilians.

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Ukraine’s railway operator said the diplomatic train had left the station earlier than scheduled. According to the company, officials changed the timetable because of continuing threats from Russian strikes.

The company also said authorities ordered passengers on the targeted train to evacuate only 15 minutes before the attack.

Russia Says Railway Infrastructure Was Targeted

Russia said it had struck railway infrastructure in western Ukraine. However, Ukrzaliznytsia said it was possible that the drone had targeted the diplomatic train.

Both Ukrainian and Polish authorities placed the strike about 2km from the Polish border. As a result, the incident has raised concerns about the growing proximity of Russian attacks to Poland and NATO territory.

Johnson later criticised the attack in a post on X. He said the strike was a random and senseless attack on a stationary Ukrainian locomotive near the Polish border.

He also urged Ukraine’s allies to provide the air defence systems needed to protect civilians from Russian attacks.

Ukraine Calls for More Air Defences

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha condemned what he described as barbaric strikes near the Ukraine-Poland border.

Furthermore, Sybiha said the attack represented a direct warning to the European Union and NATO. He renewed calls for tougher sanctions against Moscow.

Ukraine has repeatedly asked its allies, particularly the United States, for additional air-defence interceptors. Meanwhile, Russian attacks have increasingly involved ballistic missiles and jet-powered drones.

Poland Holds Emergency Security Meeting

In Poland, Prime Minister Donald Tusk held an emergency meeting following the incident.

Tusk warned that Russia’s actions were escalating and moving increasingly close to Poland’s border.

The incident occurred as European officials returned from the annual Yalta European Strategy conference. The event brings together political, business, security and media figures to discuss major international issues.

Russian Attacks Continue to Hit Rail Network

The latest strike adds to a series of Russian attacks on Ukraine’s transport infrastructure. Earlier this week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russian drones killed two people at a border crossing between Ukraine and Moldova.

A female train conductor also died in a separate Russian drone attack on a passenger train in southern Ukraine. In addition, six railway employees were killed when a depot in Kyiv came under attack earlier this month.

Russia’s attacks have caused extensive damage to Ukraine’s railway network. Consequently, trains remain a vital form of transport for millions of Ukrainians because civilian air travel remains suspended.

European governments have also accused Russia of involvement in suspicious incidents on their territory. For example, Germany recently blamed Moscow for a drone incident at Leipzig Airport, although Russia rejected the allegation.