In a devastating incident, at least 30 individuals were injured due to a Russian drone strike on a railway station in Shostka, a city located in the Sumy region of north-east Ukraine, as reported by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
President Zelensky shared details on X, stating that initial reports indicated that both railway staff and passengers were present during the attack. Emergency services were promptly deployed to the scene to assist those affected, as authorities continue to gather information concerning the injured. A video shared by Zelensky displayed a train carriage engulfed in flames, highlighting the severity of the situation.
Condemnation of targeting civilians
In his post, Zelensky condemned the actions of the Russian forces, asserting,
“The Russians could not have been unaware that they were targeting civilians. This is terrorism, which the world has no right to ignore,”
further adding,
“Every day Russia takes people’s lives. And only strength can make them stop.”
His statements reflect the heightened concern over the increasing frequency of these strikes on civilian infrastructure.
Reports from the regional governor alongside the Ukrainian Railways indicated that two strikes occurred, with the second hitting as evacuations from the area were already in progress. Zelensky’s call to action emphasized the need for a robust response from Western nations, urging,
“We’ve heard resolute statements from Europe and America – and it’s high time to turn them all into reality.”
Escalation of aerial assaults
The situation in Ukraine has become increasingly dire, with Russian forces ramping up their aerial assaults in recent weeks. These attacks have involved the launch of hundreds of drones and numerous missile strikes, causing significant civilian casualties and destruction. Just last Sunday, a massive strike lasted 12 hours, resulting in four deaths and at least 70 injuries in Kyiv alone.
Western allies have been called upon to provide Ukraine with enhanced air defense systems to mitigate the impact of these relentless attacks. Despite ongoing efforts by US President Donald Trump and European leaders to facilitate an end to hostilities, Russian President Vladimir Putin has consistently rebuffed calls for a ceasefire. As the conflict continues, both Kyiv and its allies accuse Putin of employing stalling tactics while his forces experience heavy combat casualties, yet make only gradual advancements on the battlefield.