Sybiha Urges Allies for Railway Support Amid Russian Strikes

Ukraine has appealed to its allies for replacement locomotives after a Russian strike hit a railway infrastructure just kilometers from the Polish border in Volyn region overnight into Monday, in what may have been a deliberate attack on a train carrying diplomats. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in 2022, Russia has damaged or destroyed more than 500 locomotives, with over half of those losses recorded this year alone, according to Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on Tuesday, Sept. 15.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. “Ukraine’s railway keeps the country moving,” he said, adding that “it has become a key system for economic and social stability of the Ukrainian people and cities.” Sybiha urged partners to assist the country in finding locomotives compatible with the 1,520mm railway gauge, as well as provide funding to accelerate the procurement of new ones. Railway network under constant pressure Russia continues to systematically target Ukraine’s transport and logistics infrastructure, including its railway network, which remains essential for evacuating civilians from frontline areas, carrying vital cargo, and moving grain across the country. Since the beginning of 2026, Russia has attacked Ukraine’s railway infrastructure at least 1,534 times, according to Mykola Kalashnyk, Ukraine’s Minister for Restoration, Infrastructure and Transport, on Aug. 23. At least 52 employees of Ukrzaliznytsia, Ukraine’s state-owned railway operator, have been killed on duty, while another 317 have been injured. Other Topics of Interest ‘We Truly Feel Japan’s Support,’ Chairman of Verkhovna Rada Says as Japan Weighs Joining PURL Eisuke Mori became the first speaker of Japan’s House of Representatives to address Ukraine’s parliament directly, reaffirming Tokyo’s unwavering support. “Despite the losses, pain, and constant danger, Ukraine’s railway system continues to operate,” Kalashynk said. The latest Russian jet-powered drone strike targeting the Kyiv-Warsaw passenger train at Yahodyn railway station narrowly missed senior Western officials, including former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and former CIA Director David Petraeus. No casualties were reported, despite the train carrying 206 passengers. The attack prompted Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk to convene an emergency meeting on Monday, Sept. 14. He warned that Russia’s escalation is “becoming a reality,” and that NATO allies “must be ready to respond jointly if necessary.” His warning echoed earlier concerns that Russia’s war could spill beyond Ukraine’s borders, as Moscow increasingly views Ukrainian strikes as attacks by NATO itself because alliance members continue to supply Kyiv with weapons, financial assistance, and intelligence support. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 97% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.