Train carrying Western political figures may have been target of Russian drone attack near Polish border

The state-run railway operator Ukrzaliznytsia (Ukrainian Railways) believes a train carrying Western political and security figures may have been the target of a Russian attack near the Polish border, which struck a locomotive on another train. The train with Western figures on board had departed the station earlier than scheduled.

Source: Ukrzaliznytsia, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Ukrzaliznytsia said the train was at Yahodyn station shortly before the locomotive was struck near the Ukrainian-Polish border. Among those on board were security advisers from several EU member states and former European leaders, including former UK prime minister Boris Johnson. Former CIA director David Petraeus was on another train at the station when the attack took place.

The jet-powered mesh drone that attacked the locomotive near the Ukrainian-Polish border was detected by a dispatcher of the Central Monitoring Group, and the signal to evacuate the train was given literally 15 minutes before the locomotive was struck.

Quote: "It is entirely possible that the target of this Russian drone may have been the diplomatic train, which departed from the station earlier than its scheduled time as part of real-time adjustments to train schedules due to the constant threat of Russian strikes".

More details: Ukrzaliznytsia constantly adjusts train schedules depending on which routes are available and which are blocked due to strikes.

Background:

• One of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's closest advisers, Günter Sautter, security advisers from other European countries and Boris Johnson were woken and prepared for evacuation near the Polish border following an attack on another Ukrainian train. The evacuation did not take place, however, as the all-clear was given after no further drones were detected.
• Former Swedish prime minister Carl Bildt explained that passengers were instructed to evacuate, but the order was cancelled and the train was able to continue its journey.
• Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna stated that the Russian attack complicated his team's crossing of the Ukrainian-Polish border.

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