Russian Attacks on Ukrainian Railways Shift Tactics — New Challenges for Infrastructure and Security
Since mid-summer, Russia has adopted a new approach in its ongoing aggression against Ukraine’s railway system by intensifying systematic attacks on key railway infrastructure elements across the country.
According to Oleksandr Persovskyi, CEO of Ukrzaliznytsia, Russian forces now utilize drones almost daily to strike electrical substations and railway facilities, severely disrupting Ukraine’s transportation logistics and posing significant threats to economic stability and public safety.
These attacks not only damage individual infrastructure sites but also carry strategic implications—they aim to destabilize internal processes and create panic among passengers.
Experts suggest that the increased use of long-range drones by the Russian military is linked to their ability to bypass previously insurmountable obstacles, such as locomotives.
Unlike before, combat drones now target specific trains, adding new risks to passenger transit.
As a result, train movements are usually halted for six to twelve hours, during which Ukrainian railway workers replace electric locomotives with diesel ones temporarily to continue operations.
The World Bank estimates that about 30% of Ukraine’s railway network has suffered damage and is in the process of restoration.
Ukrzaliznytsia’s vice president emphasizes that enemy attacks are designed to destroy or severely weaken the entire system—covering energy substations, locomotive depots, and passenger stations—effectively dismantling the critical transport hub and increasing internal security risks.
In response, Ukrzaliznytsia has begun adjusting train schedules, and since August 1, passengers can only buy and return tickets through the «Diia.Pidpys» digital platform, aiming to enhance control and safety amid ongoing hostilities.