Battle for Ukraine's Railways

Russia is attacking Ukraine's railway system more and more. The situation is getting much worse.

Since January 2025, there have been 800 attacks on railway infrastructure. More than 3,000 railway stations, tracks, and trains have been damaged. The total damage costs $1 billion.

The attacks have increased three times in the last three months. In September, there were twice as many attacks as in August. Half of all railway attacks since the war started have happened in the last two months.

Ukraine's railways are extremely important. The railway network is 21,000 kilometres long. Trains carry 63% of all freight, including grain and iron ore for export. They also carry 37% of passengers. Because no civilian airports are working, everyone must travel by train - including world leaders who visit Ukraine.

Russia is using special Shahed drones to attack. These drones are precise and can target individual train engines. Russia has three main goals: destroy transport in the south, stop trains near the war zone, and destroy everything in eastern Ukraine.

The attacks are dangerous for people. At Shostka station, a drone hit a train. Then a second drone attacked the rescue workers. Thirty people were injured, including three children. One man died. Train conductor Olha Zolotova was seriously hurt when her train was hit. She needed surgery on her hip and leg.

Ukraine is fighting back. They are putting electronic defence systems on trains. Railway workers are learning to defend against drones. When air raid sirens sound, trains stop and passengers evacuate to shelters.

Workers repair damaged tracks quickly - often within one day. They try never to cancel train services. Ukrainian officials are asking their international partners for better air defence systems to protect the vital railway network.