At least 30 civilians were injured and one person killed in a “savage” Russian drone strike on a Ukrainian railway station Saturday — as Moscow escalates attacks on the country’s rail and power grids ahead of the winter.
The body of a 71-year-old man was found in one of the carriages, according to regional prosecutors, after he died in the double-tap strike.
Moscow struck two passenger trains in quick succession in Shostka, a city northeast of Kyiv in the Sumy region, about 40 miles from the Russian border.
Russian launched a drone strike on a Ukrainian railway station. AP
“The Russians could not have been unaware that they were striking civilians. And this is terror the world must not ignore,” blasted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on X.
“Every day Russia takes people’s lives. And only strength can make them stop.”
Footage of the aftermath showed charred passenger locomotives that were still in flames, with plumes of black smoke rising into the air.
Three children were among the dozens injured.
Russian strongman Vladimir Putin recently stepped up strikes on Ukraine’s railway network — which the war-torn country uses for military transport — hitting its infrastructure almost daily over the past two months.
And the tyrant has also ramped up attacks on its power grid, in what Kyiv has called an attempt to weaponize the approaching winter, in an attempt to leave its citizens in the dark and cold.
Overnight Friday, Russia pounded Ukraine’s power grid, for the second day in a row.
Zelensky and local Gov. Oleh Hryhorov posted what they said were photos from the scene of a passenger carriage on fire. via REUTERS
Drones ignited fires that sparked blackouts for 50,000 households close to the Russian border, according to utility supplier Chernihivoblenergo.
In response, the G7 held an emergency meeting Saturday, Ukraine’s Energy Ministry reported.
Representatives from more than 100 nations and international organizations were present, including the US and the EU.
“It’s an obvious attempt to deprive Ukrainians of light and heat in the autumn-winter period. The Russians did not give up the intentions of plunging Ukraine into darkness on the eve of the new heating season,” said Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Energy Roman Andarak.
Moscow has been attacking Ukraine’s railway network, which is essential for military transport, amid the ongoing conflict. via REUTERS
The attack followed the largest on Ukrainian energy facilities since the start of the war, more than three and a half years ago.
Russia fired 60 drones and 35 missiles on Thursday, targeting natural gas facilities run by the state-owned Naftogaz Group, Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said.
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“Russia seeks to terrorize civilians and undermine our energy security on the eve of the heating season,” Svyrydenko posted on X. “It will not succeed.”
Naftogaz’s chief executive, Serhii Koretskyi, claimed Russia’s attacks had no military purpose.
With Post wires