STORY: Ukraine’s state-owned railway has been the target of attacks since the start of Russia’s invasion three and a half years ago.
But according to its CEO Oleksandr Pertsovskyi strikes have ramped up a gear.
He says Russia has unleashed a massive wave of attacks since the summer, and is now using long-range Shahed drones.
“Previously, they simply did not have sufficient resources for a single combat drone, such as a Shahed, to hunt down a locomotive. Now they can afford to use Shaheds to hit individual locomotives rather than strategic targets.”
Since the invasion in February 2022, the railway network has been a lifeline for people moving around Ukraine.
From ordinary people to world leaders, it’s also been one of the only ways to get in and out of the country, as all civilian flights have been grounded.
While trains have also been crucial in transporting military equipment, Pertsovskyi says that doesn’t appear to be target.
“All the attacks – their first aim is to sow panic among passengers, their second aim is the overall economy.”
He says that since the middle of the summer, electricity substations and other infrastructure nodes have been attacked with an average of six to seven long-range Shahed kamikaze drones most nights.
While Russia denies targeting Ukrainian civilians, Pertsovskyi adds that five or six key rail hubs have been bombarded since the summer.
Reuters could not independently verify the reports.
The World Bank estimates that roughly 30% of Ukraine’s railway is in a “damage-repair” cycle.
Despite the onslaught, Pertsovskyi maintains that the network, which employs 170,000 people, is managing.
“It’s a marathon. It is a game of exhaustion. They strike us, we recover. They strike us, we recover. It is important not to give up. If we slow down a little and let the enemy strike and destroy, then they will be even more drawn to the smell of blood.”
