Zelensky Labels Fatal Drone Attack on Train as 'Terrorism'

Sat Jan 31 2026 15:55:13 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has condemned a drone strike by Russia that resulted in the deaths of four individuals targeting a passenger train, calling the act terrorism.

In a recent drone attack on a passenger train in Kharkiv, Ukraine, at least four people were killed and several others injured, leading President Zelensky to denounce the event as terrorism. This strike adds to a series of intensified attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure by Russia amid the ongoing conflict.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has condemned as terrorism a Russian drone attack on a passenger train that local officials say killed at least four people.

Zelensky stated that another four people are missing after the train, which had more than 200 passengers, was struck in Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region on Tuesday.

Earlier reports from officials in Ukraine's southern port city of Odesa mentioned three fatalities due to an overnight Russian drone strike.

Russia has yet to comment on the incident. In recent months, Moscow has escalated its drone and missile assaults targeting Ukraine’s energy and transport infrastructure, coinciding with what is being described as the harshest winter in years for the country.

Millions across Ukraine are now facing widespread disruptions, including lack of heating, electricity, and water services, following these Russian attacks.

Since the onset of full-scale invasion in February 2022, Russia now controls about 20% of Ukrainian territory.

In an emotional social media post, Zelensky remarked, In any country, a drone strike on a civilian train would be considered in exactly the same way - purely as terrorism, emphasizing that there is no military justification for targeting civilians. He also added that there were 18 individuals in the single carriage that was impacted.

Images released by Ukraine's emergency services displayed a carriage badly damaged and engulfed in flames post-attack.

The Kharkiv regional prosecutor's office detailed that the train was struck near Yazykove village, with one drone hitting a carriage directly while two others detonated nearby.

Notably, the train was on a route from the western border town of Chop to Barvinkove, passing through Kharkiv city, and serves both local residents and Ukrainian soldiers.

In a separate incident, officials in Odesa reported a barrage of over 50 drones targeting the port area, again aimed at civilian infrastructure. This attack left three dead and 25 injured.

The situation remains dire as key territorial issues continue to complicate peace talks held in the UAE last week, with further discussions expected this weekend to resolve ongoing tensions.