UAV event in Odesa area, Ukraine on Thu 13th August 2026

Russian Shahed drone attacks passenger train in Odesa Oblast, killing driver and assistant.

A Russian jet-powered Shahed drone has attacked a passenger train in Odesa Oblast, killing the train driver and assistant driver.

Source: Oleksandr Pertsovskyi, Chairman of the Board of the state-run railway operator Ukrzaliznytsia (Ukrainian Railways); Ukrzaliznytsia press service

Quote from Pertsovskyi: "A jet-powered Shahed hit the locomotive of a passenger train in Odesa Oblast. Sadly, I have to report the worst news first-hand: early reports indicate that this strike left our locomotive crew – the driver and assistant driver – with no chance of survival."

Details: Pertsovskyi said a UAV threat had been detected shortly beforehand and the monitoring team issued an order to stop the train. The train was pulling into a station to allow passengers to be evacuated safely.

"The sudden manoeuvre of a jet-powered Shahed happened in a matter of minutes, giving the locomotive crew too little time to bring the train to a complete stop and evacuate the passengers and crew," he said.

The 340 passengers and train crew members, none of whom were injured, were evacuated to a safe location. Buses are currently being arranged to transport the passengers to Odesa.

Ukrzaliznytsia added that the circumstances of the incident are still being investigated.

Update: Kiper has said the train was carrying 340 passengers, including 67 children, along with the train crew.

Quote from Kiper: "Thanks to coordination by Odesa Oblast Military Administration and the joint work of all the appropriate services, people were promptly evacuated from the site of the strike. They were subsequently taken by 12 buses to a safe location in the city of Odesa. Ambulances were on standby along the evacuation route for passengers' safety."