Ukrzaliznytsia faces record drone attacks as Russian jets target moving trains

Commuters in Kyiv began their day in the dark, with headlamps on and wipers clearing wet streets after another night of sirens. The Odesa sleeper train was just changing tracks on the city's outskirts, its conductor tapping on compartment doors to check on passengers. For millions of Ukrainians, the routine of rail travel has changed from a reliable transit method to a daily exercise in survival against improved Russian drone technology.

The shift is driven by a surge in attacks on the state operator, Ukrzaliznytsia. In 2026, the company has recorded more than 1,700 strikes on trains, stations, and depots. More than half of the 500 locomotives destroyed or damaged since the war began in 2022 were hit this year. The damage extends to human capital, with over 40 railway workers killed on duty and approximately 300 injured during the conflict.

The lethality of these attacks increased sharply earlier this year. A Russian jet-powered drone struck a platform at Dnipro station, killing 15 people and injuring 14 who were waiting to board a local service. Ukrzaliznytsia stated that the high casualty count resulted from people remaining on the platform despite instructions to evacuate. This incident marks a turning point, as Russian drones have become faster and more accurate, making them difficult to intercept with electronic jamming or shoot down while trains are in motion.

The operational burden has shifted to constant vigilance. Command centres now monitor threats in real time, ordering crews to evacuate before 600km/h jet drones approach. Dozens of trains stop every day, particularly in eastern and southern regions. Long-distance journeys often require multiple evacuations, leading to delays that can stretch beyond 10 hours. In September alone, nearly 6,000 trains were evacuated, averaging about 200 stoppages per day across the country.

Passengers face harsh conditions during these pauses. While stops near stations offer some cover, many groups are stranded in open countryside. As winter approaches, they must endure temperatures dropping to -20 degrees Celsius and heavy snowfall. Officials report that hundreds of mobile air-raid shelters are being installed to protect critical network sites where other defenses are lacking.

The rail system had been a symbol of resilience since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. It moved millions of evacuees, maintained a punctual timetable for goods and military supplies, and hosted foreign leaders. That stability is now fraying under sustained pressure on the energy grid and the rail network. The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for top Russian defence figures in 2024 over infrastructure strikes, but the campaign has expanded rather than paused.

On the Odesa to Kyiv route, the conductor moved through the corridor with quiet authority. She instructed passengers to disembark quickly if an evacuation was ordered and to avoid panic. Despite the tension, she served coffee and tea. Nine hours after departure, the train pulled into Kyiv just slightly late. The passengers had avoided the open countryside, but the warmth of their bunks had become a temporary reprieve from a system under constant threat.