Propped up in her hospital bed, railway conductor Olha Zolotova speaks slowly and quietly as she recalls the day her train was struck by a Russian drone.
When the Shahed [drone] hit I was covered in rubble. I was in the second car. People pulled me out, she recounts, detailing a terrifying moment when fire engulfed her surroundings.
Olha is just one of many victims of Russia's increasingly frequent assaults on Ukraine’s railway system, which spans 21,000 kilometers and serves as a vital component of the country’s war effort and national identity.
Despite her severe injuries, which required surgery and a transfer to a specialized hospital in Kyiv, she represents the resilience of Ukrainian railway workers, often referred to as 'iron heroes.'
Focusing on the rising frequency of attacks, Ukrainian officials reported that September witnessed double the number of strikes compared to August, with some sources noting that half of all railway attacks since the onset of the conflict have occurred in recent months.
As part of a larger strategy, the Russian military is targeting both freight and passenger trains, as confirmed by Oleksiy Balesta, a deputy minister overseeing the rail system, who emphasizes that the attacks aim to disrupt supply lines and psychologically impact civilians.
The second drone strike at a station in Shostka, which injured thirty individuals including children, exemplifies tactics by Russia that may constitute war crimes under international law. In Kyiv, the government is actively responding to this escalated threat.
The attacks are part of a broader campaign as Ukraine braces for its fourth winter under siege, prompting calls from officials for stronger international air defenses. As Ukrainian resilience is tested further, the emphasis remains on maintaining rail services amid ongoing threats, reflecting the spirit of a country committed to its sovereignty and defiance against aggression.
