Russian attack on a passenger train in Odesa / The locomotive driver and his assistant have died

A locomotive mechanic and his assistant were killed in a Russian drone attack on a passenger train near Odesa, Ukraine. The Shahed-type drone struck the locomotive while the train was about to stop for the evacuation of passengers, following an air threat alert.

After the air alert, the mechanic and his assistant continued to drive the train to allow for the safe evacuation of the 340 passengers, including 67 children, but the train was hit before entering the station.

The Director of the Ukrainian National Railways, Oleksandr Perovskyi, described the attack as a terrorist act. President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack, emphasizing that Russia targets civilians and called for international support for air defense.

Attacks on Ukrainian trains have intensified, with previous incidents resulting in casualties. Ukrainian authorities warn of the increasing use of Shahed drones, which are considered harder to intercept.