The Russian army says it has hit a train carrying Western weapons en route to the front in the Ukrainian province of Donetsk. However, it was not clarified which type of equipment was involved. In Kharkiv, a train carrying Ukrainian soldiers and their equipment was reportedly shot at. Evidence of this is lacking for the time being, but a Ukrainian official fears that the attacks on the railway infrastructure are the harbinger of a new offensive.
The attack on a train carrying Western weapons happened on Thursday in Udachne in Donetsk province, according to the Telegram channel of the Russian Ministry of Defense. Airplanes, rockets and artillery were said to have been deployed. But nothing was said about the nature of the equipment that came under fire and the damage caused.
This content contains cookies from social media or other external platforms. Because you have disabled these cookies, this content remains hidden. Accept cookies from social media to still display the content.
Ukrainian sources do confirm that there was an attack. For example, the Ukrzaliznytsia railway company named three workers who died, while four others suffered injuries. And Governor Vadym Filashkin also spoke on Facebook about damage elsewhere in the town.
Damaged passenger train
There are images of the attack on the train station in Balaklia in the northeastern province of Kharkiv. But they do not prove that a military transport was hit there. According to the Russians, these were soldiers and equipment from the 67th mechanized brigade of the Ukrainian army. But videos and photos from the scene only show damage to the station building and a passenger train. Ten civilians were reportedly injured.
LOOK. These images, shared on social media, show the traces of the attack
There was also an attack on the railway infrastructure in Smila in the central Cherkasy province. It is said to have been carried out with a Russian Iskander missile and also damaged 47 buildings and injured six.
New offensive
Russia’s focus on rail traffic could be the harbinger of a new offensive. A senior but anonymous Ukrainian official expressed these fears to the French news agency AFP. “It is equivalent to the classic measures that precede an offensive,” it said. “The aim is to paralyze the transport of military goods.”
Ukrainian authorities have already warned that the coming weeks will be difficult. Russia hopes to make progress before the impact of the new US aid package is felt.
25,000 soldiers brought together
Russia is already on the constant offensive on the front in Donetsk province. One of the goals there is to conquer Chasiv Yar. That city is said to be a strategic hub and earlier this week Ukrainian sources reported that the Russian army has assembled 25,000 soldiers for this purpose. According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Russians hope to take control of the town on May 9, when they celebrate the victory in World War II with large parades.
The major spring offensive that Ukraine expects from Russia could also start in May and target Kharkiv. That is the second largest city in the country, which has been under fire with missiles and drones for weeks.
LOOK. Ukraine destroys Russian army helicopter at Moscow airport
Free unlimited access to Showbytes? Which can!
Log in or create an account and never miss anything from the stars.
Yes, I want free unlimited access
Tags: Russia hit train Western weapons Ukraine sees harbinger offensive War Ukraine Russia
