Train with European politicians left Yahodyn shortly before Russia's attack: Ukrzaliznytsia reveals details

A Russian jet drone hit the locomotive of a passenger train in Volyn about two kilometers from the border with Poland. Shortly before the attack, the Yahodyn station had been left by a diplomatic train carrying European politicians and security advisers, while at the moment of the strike another train with former CIA Director David Petraeus was there. Ukrzaliznytsia admits that Russia's target could have been the diplomatic train.

The attack occurred on the morning of September 13. Ukrzaliznytsia initially reported that Russian troops had struck the locomotive of a passenger train in Volyn two kilometers from the Polish border.

The jet mesh drone was detected in advance by a dispatcher of the Central Monitoring Group. Approximately 15 minutes before the hit, the train crew received an evacuation signal, thanks to which passengers and railway workers were unharmed.

Later, the company clarified the chronology of events. Shortly before the strike, at the Yahodyn station there was a diplomatic train carrying security advisers from several EU countries and former European high-ranking officials, including former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

The diplomatic train departed from the station earlier than scheduled. Ukrzaliznytsia explained that the company constantly adjusts train movements in real time depending on air threats, track damage, and route availability.

Ukrzaliznytsia stated that under such circumstances it is "quite likely" that the target of the Russian drone could have been the diplomatic train. At the same time, there is currently no confirmation that Russia deliberately tried to attack the foreign delegation.

At the moment of the attack, another train remained at Yahodyn station, carrying former CIA Director and former commander of US forces in Iraq and Afghanistan David Petraeus. This train was also unharmed by the strike.

NPR reports that among the high-ranking foreign guests who traveled through the area near the Ukrainian-Polish border shortly before the attack were former prime ministers of Great Britain and Sweden. The Russian strike happened after their train had passed.

Ukrzaliznytsia emphasized that Russian troops continue attempts to attack civilian rolling stock. This was the second consecutive day that Ukrainian railways came under fire.

Sources: Ukrzaliznytsia, NPR