Russia hits Ukrainian train shortly after Boris Johnson leaves station
What's the story
A Russian drone strike hit a Ukrainian train near the Ukraine-Poland border on Sunday. The attack took place at Yahodyn, hitting the engine of the train. Fortunately, no casualties were reported as all passengers had been evacuated before the strike, according to Ukrainian authorities cited by the BBC. The incident occurred shortly after former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and top European security officials passed through the same station.
Official statements
Russia claims it targeted railway infrastructure
Russian authorities confirmed the attack, claiming they had targeted "railway infrastructure" in western Ukraine.
However, Ukraine's state railway company Ukrzaliznytsia speculated that the diplomatic train carrying Johnson and other European officials could have been the intended target, having departed the station earlier than scheduled.
Former CIA chief David Petraeus, who was at Yahodyn station on a different train during the strike, called it "terrifying."
Timely evacuation
Evacuation order issued before strike
Ukrzaliznytsia, Ukraine's state railway company, said an evacuation order was given just 15 minutes before the strike by a Russian jet-propelled drone.
The diplomatic train had left earlier than scheduled due to constant threats of Russian strikes.
Former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt, who attended the same conference in Kyiv as Johnson, revealed his train was told to prepare for evacuation but was later cleared to continue its journey.
Call to action
Johnson calls for stronger air defenses for Ukraine
Johnson took to social media platform X to express his shock at the attack.
He wrote, "I don't know what warped logic drove Putin to blow up a stationary Ukrainian locomotive on the Polish border this morning."
He likened it to the "random and senseless attack Ukrainians are enduring every day - even on civilian railways," and called for stronger air defenses for Ukraine.
Twitter Post
Boris Johnson's post on X
I don’t know what warped logic drove Putin to blow up a stationary Ukrainian locomotive on the Polish border this morning. What we can say for sure is that this is the kind of random and senseless attack Ukrainians are enduring every day - even on civilian railways. So far Putin…
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) September 13, 2026
Official response
Ukrainian foreign minister calls for more sanctions against Russia
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha condemned the "barbaric strikes" at Yahodyn as "[Russian President Vladimir] Putin's terror 'knocking' directly on the doors of the EU and NATO." He called for more sanctions against Moscow.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also held an emergency meeting to discuss this escalation, noting that Russian actions are getting closer to Poland's border.
Accusations
EU foreign policy chief accuses Russia of intimidation tactics
European Union's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas accused Russia of trying to intimidate Western countries with this attack.
She told reporters, "I think we should act the opposite. We should show that we are there for Ukraine and we are not scared."
The incident comes amid a series of Russian attacks on trains, railway depots, petrol stations, and border crossings in Ukraine.