Ukraine has said that Russian attacks on its railways are increasing continuously. The number of attacks on railways has increased three times since July. Ukraine’s Deputy PM Oleksiy Kuleba said that since the beginning of 2025, there have been 800 attacks on railways. There has been a loss of 1 billion dollars (8,868 crore rupees). According to Kuleba, now the Russian army is targeting not only the railway track or station, but also the trains and their drivers.

Why is railway so important in Ukraine?

Ukraine is a very big country, and here railways are considered the lifeline of the country. According to government figures, 63% of the country’s goods (such as grains) are sent by train. 37% passengers travel by train. Military aid coming from foreign countries also comes by train.

The important thing is that after the major attack by Russia, none of the civilian airports of Ukraine are operational. That’s why people, even foreign leaders, travel by train.

Direct attack on engine from drone

Oleksandr Pertsovsky, chief of Ukraine’s state railway company Ukrzaliznytsia, said that Russia Now Precise Honey is using drones. These drones directly attack the locomotive (engine), causing huge damage to the train. To protect the railways, electronic systems are being installed on trains, which can prevent drone attacks. Air defense teams have been formed from among the railway employees.

Earlier this year, Lozova station in the Kharkiv region suffered heavy damage in a drone attack. The walls of the building were broken, the platform collapsed and many rooms were no longer usable. Lozova’s station chief Tatyana Tkachenko said that the attack took place at 2:44 pm. At that time 5 trains were standing at the station. He said that the explosion was so big that we woke up.

Why is Lozova so important?

Lojowa is a major railway junction. From here trains go towards Dnipro, Sloviansk, Poltava and Kharkiv. Through these routes, movement of passengers, transportation of goods, support to the army and evacuation of injured soldiers are carried out. That’s why this place remains Russia’s target.