UAV event in Kharkiv, Lymanivka Station area, Ukraine on Sun 23rd August 2026

Russian UAV strikes electric train in Kharkiv region, killing female passenger.

In the Kharkiv region, a Russian drone attacked an electric train, killing one female passenger and injuring four others.

According to Ukrinform, Mykola Kalashnyk, Ukraine’s Minister of Recovery, Infrastructure, and Transport, reported this on Telegram. 

“At the Lymanivka station in the Kharkiv region, a Russian drone struck the Lozova–Kharkiv electric train. Due to the threat of a drone strike, the train was stopped in advance, and the passengers were evacuated. Most of them, along with the train crew, were at a safe distance from the railway infrastructure, but some people remained near the train. This had fatal consequences: one female passenger was killed in the strike, and four other people were injured,” he wrote.

Kalashnyk expressed his condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

He also emphasized that during an evacuation, it is essential to strictly follow the instructions of railway personnel and under no circumstances remain near a moving train, as the enemy may launch follow-up strikes.

“Today, Russia attacked this electric train for the second time while rescue workers were already on the scene. Fortunately, there were no casualties,” the minister added.

According to Kalashnyk, Russian forces have struck the railway five times on Ukraine’s National Flag Day.

In particular, in the Odesa region, a Shahed-type jet drone struck the locomotive of a passenger train.

“The train was also stopped in time, and railway workers evacuated the passengers. There were 593 people on board, including 15 children. No one was injured. After the first strike, the enemy attacked the locomotive again,” he added.

As the minister noted, with the assistance of the Odesa Regional Military Administration and the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, everyone has now been safely transported by bus to Odesa.

Kalashnyk also emphasized that since the beginning of this year alone, Russia has attacked the Ukrainian railway 1,534 times. Specifically, since the start of the full-scale invasion, Russian strikes have damaged 249 railcars and 492 locomotives. Fifty-two Ukrzaliznytsia employees have been killed while performing their duties, and another 317 have been wounded.

“Despite the losses, the pain, and the constant danger, the Ukrainian railway continues to operate. Trains keep taking people home, evacuating them from areas under fire, returning soldiers to their families, and connecting the cities of our country,” he noted.

The minister expressed his gratitude to every railroad worker, rescuer, medical professional, and law enforcement officer who stood by the people once again today. “You are not just keeping the trains running—you are keeping the country moving,” he emphasized.