Russia hits the railroad: what is known about the strikes in Sumy and Chernihiv regions and the consequences for transportation
9 October 20:22
Russian troops have been actively attacking railroad infrastructure in Sumy and Chernihiv regions in recent days, [Kommersant] reports.
According to UkrzaliznytsiaCEO Oleksandr Pertsovsky, thestrikes are aimed at “cutting off communication with the frontline territories,” including blocking not only the main routes but also the backup ones.
Ukrzaliznytsia’s response
- Passengers on trains to Sumy, Konotop, Shostka, and other cities are currently being transported by buses from safe zones.
- The company is working with regional military administrations and local authorities to quickly organize transportation.
- Despite the attacks, Ukrzaliznytsia emphasizes that evacuation and critical services are being maintained.
Details of the attacks
- october 6: Russian drones targeted a Shostka-Kyiv passenger train. As a result, a number of suburban routes in Sumy region were canceled.
- october 8: drone strikes in Chernihiv region.
- In Nizhyn, a railroad track and a power facility were damaged, and part of the city was left without electricity.
- In Pryluky, a drone hit an oil depot, and in Semenivka, an administrative building.
- In total, 23 settlements were affected, and there were injured, including two women (44 and 70 years old) and a man (56 years old).
Consequences for train traffic
- Train traffic on the Kyiv-Nizhyn route is hampered, with some trains running with delays or rerouted.
- Some flights have been temporarily canceled.
- Passengers are warned in advance about transfers or schedule changes.
Why the railways are being targeted
Railroad infrastructure remains critical for:
- transportation of military personnel and equipment;
- evacuating the population from the frontline regions;
- ensuring the logistics of food and humanitarian aid.
Russia is trying to create a “transport isolation” of Ukraine’s border regions to complicate supplies and movement.
As a reminder, since the fall of 2022, Russia has been systematically attacking Ukraine’s energy and transportation facilities.
Last winter, massive strikes led to large-scale power outages.
In 2023-2024, railroad junctions and logistics centers that provide transportation to the north and east of the country were increasingly targeted.
