A Ukrainian soldier has described the moment a passenger train was targeted by Russian drones, killing five people. When a carriage on the train was hit in northeastern Ukraine, terrified passengers threw themselves on the floor in panic, and the military officer shouted for them to get out immediately. Without his instruction, which came just moments before the carriage burst into flames, many more could have perished.
The officer, known by his call-sign Omar, belongs to Ukraine's 93rd brigade and was traveling from Chop, near the Slovakian border, to Barvinkove, a key point close to the frontline in eastern Ukraine.
The first of three Russian drones struck near the train, causing it to halt. Then we heard another drone, followed by an explosion, Omar recounted, noting the catastrophic blast that shattered parts of the carriage. As the commander of a drone unit, he quickly recognized the danger and urged other passengers to evacuate. At the time, 291 individuals were onboard.
After the initial strikes, the drone operator continued targeting, crushing the now-stationary train. The carrige caught fire rapidly, and panic ensued as many passengers fled, distressed and terrified. Videos from the scene depict harrowing images of people crying and screaming, struggling to escape the fiery wreckage.
Omar emphasized the urgency to move away from the burning carriages to safety along a nearby motorway. Once clear, he revisited the train with other passengers to search for survivors. Tragically, five lives were lost, and Omar discovered shocking scenes: a body in one carriage and a young woman with a baby, who expressed overwhelming fear and desperation for her belongings.
President Zelensky condemned the strike as an act of terrorism, highlighting its critical blow to Ukraine's railway system, a vital lifeline amidst ongoing conflict. Flags across the nation were flown at half-mast as a minute of silence was observed for the victims. Despite this tragedy, rail services resumed just hours later, demonstrating the resilience of the Ukrainian response.
The officer, known by his call-sign Omar, belongs to Ukraine's 93rd brigade and was traveling from Chop, near the Slovakian border, to Barvinkove, a key point close to the frontline in eastern Ukraine.
The first of three Russian drones struck near the train, causing it to halt. Then we heard another drone, followed by an explosion, Omar recounted, noting the catastrophic blast that shattered parts of the carriage. As the commander of a drone unit, he quickly recognized the danger and urged other passengers to evacuate. At the time, 291 individuals were onboard.
After the initial strikes, the drone operator continued targeting, crushing the now-stationary train. The carrige caught fire rapidly, and panic ensued as many passengers fled, distressed and terrified. Videos from the scene depict harrowing images of people crying and screaming, struggling to escape the fiery wreckage.
Omar emphasized the urgency to move away from the burning carriages to safety along a nearby motorway. Once clear, he revisited the train with other passengers to search for survivors. Tragically, five lives were lost, and Omar discovered shocking scenes: a body in one carriage and a young woman with a baby, who expressed overwhelming fear and desperation for her belongings.
President Zelensky condemned the strike as an act of terrorism, highlighting its critical blow to Ukraine's railway system, a vital lifeline amidst ongoing conflict. Flags across the nation were flown at half-mast as a minute of silence was observed for the victims. Despite this tragedy, rail services resumed just hours later, demonstrating the resilience of the Ukrainian response.
