photo: Ukrzaliznytsia / Collage by RAILTARGET/Russian missile hits Ukrainian civilian train
A Russian missile strike shattered the calm near Dnipro on 24 June, injuring passengers aboard a moving train and damaging key civilian infrastructure. As emergency crews raced to the scene, Ukraine’s railway system once again became a frontline target in Russia’s ongoing assault.
A Russian ballistic missile strike on the city of Dnipro on 24 June caused significant disruption to Ukrainian railway services and injured multiple civilians, including passengers aboard train No. 52 running the Odesa–Zaporizhzhia route.
According to Ukrzaliznytsia, the national railway company, the passenger train was damaged during the attack and prompt emergency measures were implemented. "Rescue teams and ambulances arrived swiftly, and passengers were evacuated to shelters due to the ongoing air raid warning in the region," the company stated.
Civilians Injured as Explosion Hits Near Train
The explosion, reportedly from a Russian Iskander-M missile, struck close to the train as it approached Dnipro station—just 15 minutes from arrival, according to TSN. One of the injured passengers, Yelyzaveta, shared on social media, "It hit right near the train. A lot of people are hurt."
The blast wave severely impacted the surrounding area and the train itself. The State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SES) later confirmed that the train sustained damage from the explosion’s shockwave. Authorities initially feared direct impact but clarified that the main damage resulted from proximity rather than a direct strike.
Read more
Drones are no longer just for wars, tech geeks, or hobbyists—LTG Cargo is using them to revolutionise wagon inspections.
Emergency Response and Passenger Support
In response to the incident, Ukrzaliznytsia dispatched a replacement electric train to Dnipro. It was scheduled to depart at approximately 13:00 to carry the affected passengers onward to Zaporizhzhia. The railway company also sourced wagons for the return leg from Zaporizhzhia to Odesa, ensuring that train No. 52 will depart at 15:48 as scheduled, according to RBK-Ukraine.
The railway operator confirmed there were no fatalities among train personnel or passengers, but several travellers sustained injuries and received immediate medical attention on site.
Read more
What links Istanbul’s underground and Kuala Lumpur’s airport rails? Alstom. With new projects in Türkiye and Malaysia, the rail giant is reinforcing its…
Wider Impact on Civil Infrastructure
The missile barrage also damaged several civilian buildings across the city. According to Serhiy Lysak, Head of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Administration, the attack caused fires and hit a dormitory, gymnasium, and administrative building. He further stated on Telegram, "There are fatalities and wounded. The infrastructure is heavily damaged."
The President’s Office also confirmed that schools and kindergartens were affected in the attack. The strike is being classified by Ukrainian officials as a terrorist act, targeting both civilian and transport infrastructure.
Delays to National Rail Schedule
The impact on train No. 52 has triggered minor delays across other long-distance services, notably those connecting Uzhhorod, Kovel, Lviv, and Przemyśl to Zaporizhzhia. Ukrzaliznytsia noted that despite the disruption, logistics were swiftly reconfigured to minimise the cascading effect on other routes. While Russia continues its targeted strikes across Ukraine, the rail system remains a crucial lifeline for civilian mobility and evacuation.
Sources: Ukrzaliznytsia; TSN; UNIAN; RBC