Drone attack on Ukrainian train near Chostka leaves at least 30 dead
A Russian drone strike hit a railway station in Chostka, in northeastern Ukraine near the border, with initial reports indicating at least 30 victims. President Volodymyr Zelensky said on X that the attack targeted the damaged station and showed a burning railway wagon, underscoring what Kyiv has long described as deliberate civilian harm. Rescue teams were rapidly deployed to aid injured passengers and assess the broader damage as authorities continued to verify the final toll.
What happened and how the rescue unfolded
According to Ukrainian officials, the strike hit the train as it stood at or near the station. Video and photographs circulating on social media depicted a train in flames and extensive destruction. Zelensky noted the urgency of emergency responders at the scene as search-and-rescue efforts continued, while authorities worked to confirm the total number of casualties and the condition of those affected.
A broader pattern of drone warfare and energy targets
The attack comes as Ukraine endures a sustained campaign of drone and missile strikes tied to Russia’s broader military push. In the same period, Kyiv reported that Russia conducted one of its most large-scale nighttime assaults on Ukraine’s gas-production infrastructure since the war began in 2022, with dozens of missiles and drones aimed at energy facilities. Naftogaz described the operation as the largest strike of its kind against gas extraction sites since the invasion began and warned of potential consequences for gas delivery and heating this winter.
Tributes, risks for journalists, and the toll on civilians
In a separate tragedy tied to the conflict, French photojournalist Antoni Lallican, 37, was killed in the Donbas region while covering the war, according to journalist organizations EFJ-IFJ and SNJ. Ukrainian journalist Heorgiy Ivanchenko was also wounded in the same attack, which the organisations linked to Russian drones. Both journalists reportedly wore protective gear and carried press markings on their vests. Human rights groups urged rapid inquiries into the circumstances surrounding Lallican’s death and the safety of media workers in active conflict zones.
International reactions and diplomatic moves
France’s President Emmanuel Macron expressed condolences to Lallican’s family and colleagues and underscored the dangers faced by reporters covering the war. In broader diplomacy, Ukraine has taken steps such as severing diplomatic ties with Nicaragua after it recognized what Kyiv described as Russia’s so‑called sovereignty over occupied Ukrainian territories. Meanwhile, Russia’s leadership has alternated between warnings of escalation and denials regarding specific attacks, with President Vladimir Putin highlighting other geopolitical tensions, including the debate over long-range missiles and drone activity in Europe.
The war’s energy and nuclear backdrop
Ukraine also reported ongoing struggles around its nuclear and energy facilities. The Zaporizhzhia plant, under Russian control, faced renewed stress as power lines were disrupted, and Ukraine announced that a section of the facilities hosting the destroyed fourth reactor at Chernobyl had temporarily lost external power. International observers stressed the risk such disruptions pose to regional stability and public safety while calling for restraint and independent investigations into all incidents at critical infrastructure sites.
Looking ahead: resilience amid uncertainty
With the fighting persisting and civilian infrastructure repeatedly targeted, the international community faces the challenge of balancing strategic deterrence with humanitarian protections. As Ukraine commences renewed diplomatic and defensive efforts, the priority remains ensuring accountability for civilian casualties and safeguarding journalists and aid workers who operate under the harshest conditions of modern warfare.
