Propped up in her hospital bed, railway conductor Olha Zolotova recounts the terrifying day her train was struck by a Russian drone. “When the Shahed hit, I was covered in rubble. I was in the second car. People pulled me out,” she says quietly.
“My eyes went dark. There was fire everywhere, everything was burning, my hair caught fire a little. I was trapped,” she adds. Olha was severely injured and transported over 300km to a specialized hospital in Kyiv for surgery.
Olha’s train was hit earlier this month at Shostka station in the northern Sumy region. Rescue workers were attending to victims when a second Russian drone struck the station, a tactic known as a “double tap,” potentially constituting a war crime.
Thirty people were injured in the attack, including three children. One man died, possibly from a heart attack. Ukrzaliznytsia (UZ), Ukraine’s national rail operator, reported that attacks in September were double those in August, targeting both trains and supporting infrastructure.
Deputy Minister Oleksiy Balesta noted that half of all railway attacks since the war began occurred in the past two months. “Almost every day for the last two months, we have been experiencing targeted attacks on Ukrzaliznytsia infrastructure and power facilities,” he said.
Russia’s strategy seems aimed at disrupting supply lines amid a near stalemate on the front lines. “The enemy is trying to stop us completely. This is part of a war tactic meant to cause panic, destroy our economy, and make the country unliveable,” said Oleksandr Pertsovskyi, UZ chief executive.
Ukraine’s railway system is vital for moving grain and iron ore exports, transporting civilians, and facilitating international diplomacy. Despite frequent strikes, Ukrzaliznytsia works to maintain operations, rerouting trains, coordinating with the military, and training staff to handle potential sabotage.
Pertsovskyi emphasizes the morale of passengers, citing a rerouted Kyiv-Sumy train where passengers spent hours longer onboard for safety. UZ even sent a birthday cake to one passenger affected by the delay.
Kyiv’s central station continues to honor “Iron Heroes” – railway workers and rescuers who risk their lives amid attacks. Certificates of bravery recognize those who helped fight fires and save lives during strikes on the intercity depot.
With winter approaching, attacks on the railway and power infrastructure threaten to make the season the hardest yet. Ukraine urges allies to supply stronger air defenses, but officials remain resolute.
“The goal is never to cancel a single service or destination. Ukrainians remain strong in spirit,” Pertsovskyi said, reflecting a steadfast commitment to keeping the country moving despite constant threats.
The attacks underline the high stakes in the battle for Ukraine’s railways, where courage, resilience, and national pride intersect with strategic warfare.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members