Russia most frequently attacks Ukrzaliznytsia trains in 6 eastern regions

Analysis of attack data compiled by Ukrzaliznytsia, Ukraine's national railway company, reveals that Russian forces concentrate their strikes on rail traffic most heavily in six regions: Donetsk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Mykolaiv. Together, these areas have accounted for the vast majority of train attacks over the past year.

Rail as a strategic target

Ukrainian railways serve as the backbone of the country's military logistics, moving troops, ammunition, equipment, and humanitarian aid across the country. Disrupting rail links to the front has been a consistent Russian objective since the early stages of the 2022 invasion. Attacks have targeted locomotive depots, rail bridges, signal infrastructure, and trains while in motion or in stations.

Despite relentless attacks, Ukrzaliznytsia has managed to maintain most of its core services, carrying out rapid repairs to damaged infrastructure. The company has become one of Ukraine's most critical wartime institutions, receiving logistical and technical support from European railway operators and international organizations.

Safety measures for passengers

As a result of the frequent attacks, Ukrzaliznytsia has introduced a range of safety protocols, including mandatory lighting blackouts on trains traveling through high-risk areas at night, reduced stopping times at stations in front-line regions, and coordination with air defense units before departures in targeted corridors.