Russian drones attacked a passenger bus and a passenger train in southern Ukraine on September 16, 2026, killing five people, according to Ukrainian officials. The bus attack near the frontline city of Nikopol in Dnipropetrovsk region caused the deaths of four men and one woman, while seven others were injured.
All 168 passengers and crew aboard the passenger train struck in Mykolaiv region were evacuated safely with no injuries reported despite the train being attacked three times, said acting regional governor Heorhii Reshetilov. Additionally, a Russian drone attack damaged a locomotive in Kovel near the Poland-Ukraine border, a known route
used recently by European diplomats and political figures.
>Railway Infrastructure Damage and Attack Scale
Ukraine Railways reported that Russian forces have intensified their strikes on Ukrainian railway infrastructure in 2026, hitting 120 passenger wagons, 304 locomotives, and 43 railway stations. Overall, 1,700 railway facilities have been attacked so far this year, a sharp increase from 1,206 in 2025 and 842 in 2024.
The targeted strikes encompass passenger trains, locomotives, railway stations, and key railway routes, disrupting rail services critical for civilian movement and the economy.
Official Statements and Responses
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attacks as “another act of brutality” devoid of military logic and called on the U.S. and
Europe to increase sanctions against Russia. Dnipropetrovsk region governor Oleksandr Hanzha confirmed the fatalities and injuries from the bus strike, sharing images of the damaged vehicle.
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha described the attacks as deliberate assaults on civilian infrastructure, stating on social media, “Russian forces strike passenger trains, locomotives, stations, and railway routes knowing exactly how essential they are for civilians, evacuations, and Ukraine’s economy.” He added, “This is not collateral damage. It is a systematic hunt for people and an attempt to paralyze civilian life.”
Context of Rail Transport Role in Ukraine
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022 led to the closure of Ukrainian airspace, buses
and trains have become essential transportation modes for civilians and businesses. The ongoing drone attacks on railway infrastructure form part of Russia’s intensified 2026 campaign to disrupt Ukraine’s logistics, civilian evacuation efforts, and economic activity.
The strike in Kovel near the Poland border is particularly concerning given the route’s use by European diplomats and political figures, underscoring heightened risks for international rail travel in the area.
