Russia strikes near Polish border as drone attacks hit western Ukraine
Ukrainian officials report drone strikes on a locomotive and gas station in Volyn, near the NATO border.
Quick Look
- Russian drone strikes hit a passenger train locomotive and a gas station in Ukraine's Volyn region, near the Polish border.
- No injuries were reported among the 206 passengers.
- Ukrainian officials condemned the attacks as a direct threat to NATO and EU security.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The border between Ukraine and Poland is a critical transit point for international military and humanitarian aid. Russia has been conducting a systemic campaign of drone and missile strikes across Ukrainian territory.
Russia launched two drone strikes on western Ukraine, very near its border with NATO member Poland, Ukrainian and Polish authorities said on Sunday.
One of the drones hit a passenger train locomotive in Volyn, some two kilometers (1.24 miles) from the border crossing.
"The monitoring team gave the train crew advanced warning, and thanks to that, no one was injured," Ukrainian railway operator Ukrzaliznytsia said in online post.
The company later said that a "systemic attack" was happening throughout Ukraine.
Separately, Poland's PKP Intercity confirmed that they have taken control of the affected train following the attack in the Ukrainian territory.
"The train is carrying 206 people. There are no Polish citizens among the passengers," the operator said online. "After completing customs clearance, it will continue its journey towards Warsaw."
Zelenskyy: Locomotive 'deliberately burned'
On Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the locomotive was "deliberately burned" and a gas station damaged in Volyn.
"It is precisely to prevent these strikes from spreading further into Europe that Ukrainian men and women fight every day, give their lives, and do not allow the aggression to expand," he said.
Moscow did not immediately comment on the reports.
Ukrainian officials also reported another drone strike on Yahodyn overnight, some half a mile (800 meters) from the Polish border.
The border with Poland serves as essential transit point for military and humanitarian aid.
'Putin's terror 'knocking' directly on the doors' — Ukrainian foreign minister
Commenting on the Yahodyn incident, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the "barbaric" attacks were more than "just a continuation of its attacks on our state borders."
"This is Putin's terror 'knocking' directly on the doors of the EU and NATO. Russian barbarians are at your gate, dear partners," he said in an English-language post on X.
He urged Ukraine's Western allies to make Russia "feel the consequences of its terror. Not just half-decisions, but uncompromising, powerful steps. Full trade embargo. Full entry bans. Full sanctions on the military-industrial complex."
"Putin needs to understand that his barbarism will be met with decisive action that increases the cost of war for him to an unacceptable level," he added.
Open Questions
- Will NATO increase security presence near the border?
- What specific military response will Ukraine's allies provide?
