On January 27, 2026, near Yazykove in the Izium district, Russian forces used Geran-2 drones to strike the passenger train Chop – Kharkiv – Barvinkove. As a result of the attack, a fire broke out; according to preliminary data, at least five people were killed, one person is missing. Firefighters, doctors, and police ensured evacuation and on-site medical assistance.
The train carried 155 passengers, mostly civilians – many women and people with children. Firefighters and railway workers noted the courage of those who helped people leave the damaged cars and move them away from the blast zone. Ukrzaliznytsia expressed gratitude to the rescuers, medical personnel, police and volunteers for their prompt response.
“The first strike was quite powerful. Experience told me that there could be a repeat, so to those who were near me in the carriage, I told them to lie down. And soon we heard first a rumble, and then another explosion. People asked, ‘What will we do?’, and I told them to exit the carriage, because if there had already been two hits, that means this is a mass attack. And there could be a third.”
– Omar
According to Omar, the commander of the assault drone platoon of the 93rd Separate Mechanized Brigade, Kholodny Yar, the rescue operation was conducted with maximum caution – people were being led to safe locations, while drones continued to attack, trying to hinder evacuation.
According to the prosecutor’s office, there were 155 passengers on the train at the time of the strike. In total, at least five people were killed, one person is considered missing; identification of the deceased will be possible after DNA analyses.