Ukraine’s Railways Under Fire: Russia Targets Civilian Panic

Trains once symbolised safety, now they are targets. Yet Ukraine’s counterattacks show Moscow’s supply lines are just as vulnerable.

The Ukrainian railway network has become both a lifeline and a target of Russia’s drone and sabotage attacks. Oleksandr Pertsovskyi, CEO of Ukrzaliznytsia, confirmed that Moscow’s forces are deliberately aiming beyond military logistics to spread panic among civilians and damage Ukraine’s economy. Kyiv, however, is retaliating with strikes on Russian supply routes.

Ukraine’s state-owned railway has been the target of attacks since the start of Russia’s invasion three-and-a-half years ago, its CEO Oleksandr Pertsovskyi said //t.co/iNVkcKypL4 pic.twitter.com/sSYvS0WqcU

— Reuters (@Reuters) September 23, 2025

Russian Offensive: Civilian Panic Instead of Military Targets

In an interview with Reuters, Pertsovskyi explained that Russia has intensified drone attacks on Ukraine’s railway system since the summer, focusing on transport hubs but largely sparing military shipments. "Their first aim is to sow panic among passengers, their second aim is to hit the overall economy. These are all, in essence, strikes on civilian infrastructure," he said.

According to Pertsovskyi, Russia’s drone industry is now producing long-range models in sufficient numbers to attack not only strategic objectives but individual trains. "They are ... acting systematically, knocking out one substation after another or key rail hubs in order to stop passenger trains and sow panic and distrust among the people," he described, calling it a "marathon of endurance." Each strike involving six or seven drones can paralyse traffic for six to twelve hours, forcing the costly substitution of electric locomotives with diesel units.

Trains as a Last Refuge

Since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022, railways have served as Ukraine’s lifeline — the only reliable connection across the country and to the outside world. They have become both a physical and symbolic refuge for millions of Ukrainians. But with drone attacks and acts of sabotage on the rise, even this sector is under severe strain.

Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has also reported an increase in attempted sabotage by Russian operatives inside Ukraine. While less destructive than drones, Pertsovskyi noted that the number of incidents has grown rapidly, with dozens recorded this year alone.

Kyiv Strikes Back: Sabotage on Russian Supply Lines
Ukraine has responded with operations against Russian railway infrastructure. The Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) admitted responsibility for recent strikes aimed at disrupting supply routes near Kharkiv and Sumy. One of the most significant operations took place on 13 September, when HUR and Special Operations Forces reportedly stopped traffic on the Oryol–Kursk line in Russia.

During demining efforts near Maloarkhangelsk–Glazunovka, an explosion killed two Rosgvardia soldiers and seriously injured another. The incident was confirmed by the governor of Russia’s Oryol region, Andrey Klychkov.

Another attack occurred overnight on 14 September on the St Petersburg–Pskov line, where an explosion derailed a locomotive and destroyed 15 fuel tankers. "The damage will cause serious logistical problems, significantly reducing Russia’s ability to sustain offensive operations," a HUR source told Kyiv Independent.

Ukraine Expands Strikes to Russian Refineries

In parallel, Ukrainian drones have hit Russian energy infrastructure, including one of the country’s largest oil refineries and petrochemical plants. A source from the SBU explained: "Deep strikes inside the Russian Federation show that there are no safe areas for the enemy." The ultimate aim is to deplete Moscow’s resources, crippling its ability to supply its military with ammunition, fuel, and manpower.