Daijiworld Media Network - Dnipro
Dnipro, Oct 29: At least 13 people were killed and 10 others injured after a Russian jet-powered drone struck a railway station in Dnipro, central Ukraine, on Thursday, hitting a platform where two passenger trains were standing, Ukrainian authorities said.
The attack targeted a platform at Dnipro railway station where a commuter electric train and a scheduled passenger service were stationed. Ukrainian officials said the strike caused casualties among people waiting at the station, while emergency services rushed to the scene to assist the injured and respond to the aftermath.
Dnipropetrovsk regional governor Oleksandr Ganzha confirmed the fatalities in a post on Telegram. “Thirteen people were killed in a Russian attack on Dnipro. At least five more were wounded,” he initially said. The reported number of injured was later put at 10.
Dnipro Mayor Borys Filatov described the incident as a tragedy, saying a drone had struck a civilian electric train. He reported that several people had been killed and many others wounded.
Ukrainian Railways, the state-owned railway operator, said the jet-powered drone hit a platform where train No. 866, travelling from Dnipro to Zaporizhzhia, was standing. The company's chief, Oleksandr Pertsovsky, said an elevated threat level had been announced before the strike. However, many passengers were still on the platform when the attack occurred.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the strike, describing it as a horrific attack on civilians. In a post on X, he said Russian forces had targeted a platform where a regular commuter train and a scheduled passenger train were standing.
“Unfortunately, 13 people have been confirmed killed as of now. My condolences to their families and loved ones. Ten more people were injured. All necessary emergency services are working at the scene,” Zelenskyy said.
He also called on the United States, the European Union and the Group of Seven (G7) nations to impose fresh and stronger sanctions against Moscow, arguing that Russia's military actions demonstrated the need for increased international pressure.
Questioning what he described as an escalation of Russian attacks despite the easing of certain sanctions on Russian oligarchs and the energy sector, Zelenskyy said restrictions should remain in place for as long as the war continues.
“This is precisely why Ukraine has always said that just and decisive action by America and Europe is needed in response to Russian escalation – sanctions against Moscow and its war machine must not be eased for as long as this Russian war continues,” he said, urging the EU, the United States and the G7 to introduce stronger measures.
Meanwhile, Russian authorities reported a separate series of Ukrainian drone interceptions near Moscow. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said Russian air defence systems had destroyed around 30 unmanned aerial vehicles approaching the capital. Emergency personnel were working at locations where fragments of intercepted drones had fallen, according to Russian reports.
Russian media outlet Izvestia reported that the deployment of newer air defence systems was forcing Ukrainian forces to alter their drone routes. Russian authorities also reported intercepting additional drones heading towards Moscow following earlier interceptions. These claims were reported by Russian sources and could not be independently verified from the information available.
The attack in Dnipro comes amid the continuing war between Russia and Ukraine, during which railway infrastructure and transport networks have remained important targets and logistical routes. The latest strike has renewed concerns over the safety of civilians using public transport in areas exposed to aerial attacks.
Separately, Spain was dealing with another major railway tragedy after a collision involving two high-speed trains in the central province of Toledo reportedly killed at least 68 people on Wednesday. Rescue operations were continuing, with concerns that the death toll could rise. The crash also injured passengers and disrupted rail services connecting Madrid with Ciudad Real and Andalusia.
According to reports citing Spanish broadcaster TVE, one train struck the rear of another travelling in the same direction, causing two coaches to derail. Spain's rail infrastructure operator, ADIF, confirmed that the accident occurred in Toledo province.