Increase in Russian Attacks on Ukraine's Railways: Passenger Trains Become Drone Targets

According to information provided by the national railway operator of Ukraine, Ukrzaliznytsia, the number of attacks on the railway system has surged from 134 in January to 166 in February, peaking at 206 incidents in March. This spike in attacks indicates a new tactic that includes targeted strikes on moving trains, posing a serious threat to civilians.

During a press conference on March 24, the head of Ukrzaliznytsia, Oleksandr Pertsoivskyi, stated, "There is a clear trend since the end of 2025, and especially now in spring — focused strikes on moving stock. They have the capability in some areas to hunt moving trains."

Trains are one of the most critical links in Ukraine's lifeline, as they can carry between 80,000 to 90,000 people at any given moment. Unlike stationary infrastructure, protecting moving trains is significantly more complex, and strikes against them can lead to mass casualties.

This new tactic resembles first-person view (FPV) drone attacks in border towns such as Kherson, where Russian forces have targeted civilians and moving vehicles — a practice known as "human safari." However, it now appears to be expanding, as larger drones with extended ranges are being used to target trains.

Since the beginning of 2026, Russian forces have conducted 472 attacks on Ukraine's railway network, damaging 1,128 objects, including 40 passenger cars, 81 locomotives, 145 freight cars, and 12 stations. As of March, Russia is targeting railway infrastructure approximately six times a day.

Military expert Andrii Kharuk believes that this change in tactics is likely made possible by modifications to Shahed-type drones. "Installing a video camera on a Shahed is not technically complex. Initially, Iran avoided this due to the cost of using imported components in one-way drones. Russia evidently has these resources," Kharuk noted.

"Such modifications effectively turn Shaheds into large FPV-style drones, allowing operators to target moving objects such as trains."

According to Ukrzaliznytsia data, high-risk areas include Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, and Kharkiv regions, as well as Sumy region — where this tactic first appeared. These areas are where drones can reach and maintain a stable signal long enough for operators from Russian-controlled territory to track and hit a moving train in Ukraine.

Kharuk pointed out that direct control operates at a distance of about 100-120 kilometers. For operations beyond this radius, drones require satellite communication systems, such as Starlink, which Russia is prohibited from using, or relays and mobile operators on Ukrainian territory.

"Restrictions on Russia's use of Starlink significantly narrow these zones," Pertsoivskyi said. Kharuk also noted that Russia is attempting to overcome this limitation. On March 24, it launched the first batch of 16 'Rassvet' satellites, which are a domestic alternative to Starlink. However, he noted that the system is still far from being ready.

According to publicly available plans, the Russian private space company Bureau 1440 plans to launch 292 satellites by the end of 2030, with a total of 383. In comparison, Starlink currently operates 10,000 satellites in orbit.

Before the restrictions, Russian forces had about 10,000 Starlink terminals on the front lines, Kharuk noted. To mitigate risks, Ukrzaliznytsia is collaborating with the military to detect threats. If a drone can reach a train within 20 minutes, the train stops, and passengers must disembark, regardless of location. Evacuation usually takes seven to eight minutes.

Sometimes this means that passengers are forced to hide near the train in a forest in the middle of nowhere. However, this is safer than staying inside. A strike can quickly turn a carriage into a trap — metal structures deform, fires break out, and toxic smoke spreads. Inside the train, it is also harder to hear the approaching drones and react in time.

On January 27, a Russian drone strike hit a passenger train in Kharkiv region, which was operating on the Barvinkove-Lviv-Chop route and had 291 passengers on board at the time of the attack. At least six people were killed in the attack, with some bodies so severely damaged that forensic examination was required for identification.

"Today, there is no tool that provides 95% protection — there is no 'magical dome' over the trains. We adapt every day," Pertsoivskyi said. Protection relies on a combination of air defense, mobile fire groups, electronic warfare systems, intercepting drones, aviation, and passenger safety measures.

Recent incidents indicate that new protocols are already helping to save lives. On March 4, a Russian drone struck a passenger train in Mykolaiv region, igniting a carriage. One railway worker was injured. However, railway staff timely detected the drone and evacuated passengers, avoiding casualties.

Directly arming trains is not an option. "Installing weapons on civilian trains would turn them into legitimate military targets. Instead, passive defense measures can be used — armored locomotives, structures for drone protection, electronic countermeasures," the expert noted.