13 killed as Russian drone strikes two trains at Ukrainian railway station

At least 13 people were killed after a Russian drone struck a crowded railway platform in Dnipro, a major city in southeastern Ukraine, on Thursday, October 29, officials said. The attack targeted a platform where passengers were waiting to board a commuter train bound for the nearby city of Zaporizhzhia.

Ukraine's state railway operator, Ukrzaliznytsia, said a jet-powered Russian drone hit the platform as train No. 866, travelling from Dnipro to Zaporizhzhia, was preparing to depart.

Regional governor Oleksandr Hanzha reported that at least five people were wounded in the strike, while emergency responders rushed to the scene.

Dnipro Mayor Borys Filatov described the incident as a tragedy, reporting multiple deaths and injuries.

The railway operator said the attack happened despite an earlier warning that the threat level had increased, with many people still on the platform.

Russian drone strikes train amid heightened threat warning

The strike has renewed concerns over the safety of Ukraine's railway network, which remains a vital transport link for civilians amid the ongoing war.

With air travel severely restricted since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, trains have continued to carry passengers across the country despite repeated attacks and security alerts. 

Ukrzaliznytsia confirmed that rescuers were working at the site following the attack. The train was preparing to travel to Zaporizhzhia, a city in southern Ukraine that has repeatedly faced Russian attacks during the conflict.

The latest incident comes amid continued Russian strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure and transport links.

Railway facilities, locomotives and passenger services have faced mounting threats from drones, disrupting journeys and forcing passengers to evacuate during air-raid alerts.

Moscow reports large-scale Ukrainian drone attack

Separately, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin claimed that 613 Ukrainian drones had been launched towards the Moscow region between Wednesday night and Thursday morning.

According to Sobyanin, Russian air defence systems intercepted most of the drones before they reached the capital, with 231 reportedly destroyed on approaches to Moscow.

The claims could not be independently verified. The reported drone assault came as Ukrainian authorities also reported Russian attacks in several parts of the country. In the Rivne region, a Russian strike reportedly killed one man overnight.

Russia and Ukraine have intensified their use of drones and other weapons in recent months, with both sides targeting infrastructure and locations far from the immediate front lines.

The attacks have caused civilian casualties and damage to transport and other essential facilities.

Despite the escalation, preparations are reportedly underway for another round of peace talks next month, with the United States expected to play a mediating role.

However, the latest attacks underscore the continuing challenges facing efforts to secure a diplomatic resolution to the war.