Kyiv: Ukraine’s vital railway network, a crucial artery for both civilians and military logistics, has come under systematic attacks by Russian forces in recent months, according to Oleksandr Pertsovskyi, CEO of state railway company Ukrzaliznytsia. The strikes, carried out using long-range Shahed drones, have targeted key nodes, substations, and locomotives, aiming to sow panic among passengers and disrupt the nation’s economy.
Since the summer of 2025, these relentless assaults have intensified, though the rail network continues to operate. Pertsovskyi explained that each disruption is typically recovered within six to twelve hours by switching electric trains to diesel locomotives while power is restored. “It’s a marathon… they strike us, we recover,” he remarked, emphasizing the resilience of the railway system amid constant threats.
Ukraine’s railways serve as the primary mode of transportation since all civilian flights have been grounded due to the ongoing conflict. The system has also become the preferred route for world leaders visiting Kyiv, including French President Emmanuel Macron, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and former U.S. President Joe Biden. Despite its wartime significance, attacks have largely focused on civilian infrastructure rather than military cargo, Pertsovskyi noted, highlighting the deliberate strategy behind the drone strikes.
The cumulative impact of attacks, coupled with sabotage attempts from agents recruited by Russia within Ukraine, has placed a significant strain on Ukrzaliznytsia’s finances. Diesel locomotives, essential during power outages, cost roughly five times more to operate than electric trains. Approximately 30% of the railway network is undergoing continuous repair, including bridges and hubs repeatedly damaged in attacks. Despite these challenges, the railway remains a symbol of resilience and a lifeline for Ukraine during one of its most difficult periods in history.