On the night of May 2nd, Russian military forces conducted an attack on the Ukrainian Railways repair plant in Zaporizhzhia, which caused significant public resonance and highlighted the danger faced by the country’s vital infrastructure in the context of the war
The incident occurred under cover of darkness, and it was reported by the official press service of Ukrzaliznytsia via their Telegram channel. According to the railway officials, the target was one of the key transport infrastructure facilities — a locomotive repair plant in Zaporizhzhia responsible for servicing passenger electric locomotives. This civilian enterprise holds strategic importance for maintaining the stable operation of the country's railway network. The attackers struck the facility at night using missiles or artillery; however, the most concerning consequence was a fire that broke out as a result of the attack. According to rescue services, the fire was fully extinguished only in the morning, and explosive ordnance disposal teams were already working at the scene. No casualties or injuries among workers were recorded, as most personnel and management were in shelters at the time — in current conditions of such attacks by the aggressor, they are forced to minimize risks to life and health. Ukrzaliznytsia’s press service emphasizes that despite this aggression, the situation remains under control, and the effects of the attack were quickly localized. They highlighted that this incident serves as yet another stark example of how the enemy deliberately targets civilian transport facilities in an attempt to undermine Ukraine’s railway system. This is not the first such attack: earlier incidents included shelling of railway enterprises, particularly the Kyiv Repair Plant DVRZ. Ukrzaliznytsia stressed that these actions by the occupiers not only destroy property but also aim to destabilize the country’s logistics chain, which is already under strain due to the ongoing war. They demonstrate the targeted and audacious nature of attacks against critical infrastructure and strategic sites. Ukrainian railway workers and security services continue to work toward ensuring maximum safety of facilities and assisting in the recovery of the plant’s operations, to prevent similar incidents in the future. Overall, the events in Zaporizhzhia serve as a stark reminder of the cost of this war and of the enemy who spares no means to achieve their goals — even deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure, which is vital for the life support of Ukrainian society. Authorities and numerous security services call on citizens to remain vigilant and to follow all safety recommendations in case of alarms or new shelling. This is a reminder of the necessity for united resistance and support of Ukraine’s rear in these testing times.