Russia targets Ukraine’s rail network as war enters deadly new phase

Russia has escalated its attacks on Ukraine by deliberately targeting the country's railway network, marking a deadly new phase in the war. On Tuesday, six railway employees were killed when a ballistic missile struck a locomotive depot in Kyiv, part of a massive bombardment of the capital and surrounding region that killed at least 12 people. Ukraine's state-owned railway company, Ukrzaliznytsia, stated that Russia has hit the network over 1,500 times this year, damaging hundreds of carriages and locomotives. The railway is a vital lifeline for civilians and the military, transporting millions of people and crucial supplies. These attacks aim to disrupt daily life and demoralize the population, with significant damage and ongoing fires reported at railway facilities.

Overnight Russian missile and drone strikes on Kyiv and the surrounding region resulted in at least 12 deaths and 20 injuries, including two children. Six of the casualties were railway workers whose depot was hit in Kyiv. Russian officials stated the strikes targeted Ukraine's military and energy facilities, while also reporting one death in Ukrainian strikes on Russia's Belgorod region. This follows Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's plea to Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war, made at a security summit. The attacks in Kyiv led to eight fatalities and fires in three city districts.

Russian air attacks on Kyiv and the surrounding region on Tuesday resulted in at least nine deaths and over a dozen injuries, marking the sixth consecutive day of strikes on the Ukrainian capital. Eight people were killed and five wounded in Kyiv itself, including three children, with fires reported across the city. These attacks occur amidst ongoing efforts to resolve the conflict, which began with Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. The article notes that attacks continue in both Ukraine and Russia.

A Russian strike on an arms depot near Kyiv has resulted in 38 deaths, making it the deadliest attack of the year, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The explosions and fires at the depot in Myla began on Saturday, with emergency and bomb disposal teams continuing their work. Twenty people were injured, and four remain missing. This is the second attack on a munitions depot near Kyiv in two months, prompting an investigation into alleged criminal negligence. Meanwhile, Russia's Ministry of Defence announced plans for "massive strikes" against Ukraine's infrastructure before winter, in response to Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian energy sectors. Ukraine's military reported overnight attacks on a Russian oil refinery and a military base.

Kyiv is experiencing intensified Russian drone and missile attacks, including daylight strikes, as part of a campaign to wear down Ukraine and disrupt its logistics. Russia has targeted warehouses and distribution centers, destroying approximately 90% of food logistics infrastructure operated by retail chains, leading to some shortages. Ukraine has responded by targeting Russian economic infrastructure, including oil facilities and online retailer warehouses. Military analysts suggest momentum is shifting towards Ukraine due to its use of long-range drones, though a shortage of Patriot air defense interceptors poses a vulnerability. Meanwhile, reports indicate President Putin fears ending the war without achieving his objectives could jeopardize his position.

A Russian attack on the Bucha district near Kyiv killed at least 27 people and damaged over 50 residential buildings, sparking a large fire. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated a warehouse in Myla was struck, leading to a detonation, and criminal proceedings were opened for official negligence regarding ammunition storage near residential areas. The attack also damaged a care home and other residential buildings, with over 370 people evacuated. Russia's Ministry of Defense claimed to have hit a warehouse storing drone components and launch boosters, as well as other logistics and missile parts in the Kyiv region. The attacks are part of ongoing air raids in Kyiv, now in their third day, disrupting civilian life.

Russia has claimed a Ukrainian drone attack killed a worker at the captured Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. Simultaneously, Ukrainian officials reported that Russian drone attacks on Odesa injured at least 11 people, including two children, and damaged homes, infrastructure, and the port. Odesa's governor stated that the attacks affected multiple districts, hitting residential buildings, civilian facilities, and the funicular railway. In the Zaporizhzhia region, Ukrainian Governor Ivan Fedorov reported a civilian death and hundreds of Russian strikes across settlements. Russia also reported Ukrainian drone attacks in its Belgorod border region, resulting in one death and injuries.