Russian Drone Hits Train Locomotive 2 km From Poland Border
Russian drone strikes near the Ukraine-Poland border, including one that hit a locomotive 2 km from Polish territory shortly after a train carrying Western politicians crossed the same route, prompted European officials to accuse Moscow of seeking to intimidate and divide allies.
Border Drone Strike Near Poland
A Russian drone struck a locomotive of a train belonging to Ukrzaliznytsia stationed 2 km from the Polish-Ukrainian border on 13 September, and a petrol station near the Yahodyn-Dorohusk border crossing was also attacked. [4] The strikes occurred shortly before a train carrying Western politicians crossed the border along the same route. [4] On 13 September, a petrol station near the Yahodyn-Dorohusk border crossing came under Russian attack, and a locomotive of a train belonging to the state-run railway operator Ukrzaliznytsia, stationed 2 km from the border, was also hit. [4] Shortly before the strikes, a train carrying Western politicians crossed the border along the very same route. [4]
European Reactions
French Foreign Minister stated the attacks aim to intimidate Europeans, discourage them and divide them. [1] These attacks have a very clear objective: to intimidate Europeans, discourage them and, above all, divide them, the foreign minister said. [1] German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius described the drone strike on the train as a calculated escalation by Putin to instill fear in Europe. [2] A drone strike on a train near the Ukraine-Poland border is a calculated escalation by Russia's President Vladimir Putin to instill fear in Europe, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said on Monday. [2] It is all the more important that we remain level-headed, that we stay united and that we continue to support Ukraine, the German minister added in response to the incident. [2]
Kremlin Response
The Kremlin responded that Russian forces are carrying out tasks across the entire territory of Ukraine and will continue to do so. [4] The Kremlin has said Russian forces are carrying out their tasks across the entire territory of Ukraine and will continue to do so. [4] Peskov was responding to journalists who asked him to comment on reports by Poland's railway operator about a drone strike on a locomotive near the Polish-Ukrainian border and accusations by Ukraine and the European Union that Russia was responsible for the incident. [4] If I understand correctly, this concerns Ukrainian territory. Our troops are carrying out their tasks across the entire territory of Ukraine and continue to do so, and they will continue doing so, Peskov stated. [4]
Broader Russian Attacks
Separately, Russian attacks across Ukraine over the past day killed at least six people and injured 43, with Donetsk Oblast among the hardest hit. [3] At least six people were killed and 43 others injured in Russian attacks across Ukraine over the past day, local authorities said on Sept. 14, with Donetsk Oblast among the hardest hit. [3] Russian attacks killed three people and injured 13 others, Donetsk Oblast Governor Vadym Filashkin said. [3] Two people were killed in Kramatorsk and one in Druzhkivka overnight. [3] In Sloviansk, one person was injured. [3] In Kramatorsk, two people were killed and 10 others injured. [3] One person was injured in Znamenivka. [3] Another person was injured in Spasko-Mykhailivka. [3] One person was also killed in Druzhkivka. [3] An airstrike damaged three homes. Debris and dry grass caught fire in one yard over an area of 100 square meters, the DSNS said, adding that intense drone activity disrupted firefighters' work. [3] Overall, the Air Force said Russia attacked Ukraine with 108 drones. [3] Air defenses shot down or intercepted 85 drones, while strikes were recorded at seven locations. [3] Two people were killed and 14 others were injured in Russian attacks on Kherson Oblast, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said. [3] One person was killed and four others were injured as Russian forces attacked Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Governor Ivan Fedorov said. [3] Five people, including a newborn, were injured in Russian attacks on Kharkiv Oblast, Governor Oleh Syniehubov said. [3] In Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Russian attacks injured six people, local authorities said. [3]
Polish Security Measures
Poland pledged increased security along its border with Ukraine after a wave of Russian drone strikes near the frontier, including two that landed within kilometers of Polish territory. [5] The move came as Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that Moscow appears poised to intensify its activity. [5] Tusk has said the coming weeks and months will see very intense Russian activity and that more serious attacks on Polish territory cannot be ruled out. [4]
What to watch next: Tusk has said the coming weeks and months will see very intense Russian activity and that more serious attacks on Polish territory cannot be ruled out.
