In addition to attacking Ukraine's energy infrastructure, Russia has been intensifying strikes on the country's rail lines. On Sunday, a Russian drone hit a civilian train carrying 200 passengers from Kyiv to Sumy. No one was injured, but the locomotive was damaged and had to be replaced before travelers could continue their journey. Ukraine's public railway company, Ukrzaliznytsia, has reported increased Russian fire on engine wagons, freight cars, and railway maintenance equipment since early March, alongside more frequent attacks on bridges and railyards.

Military expert Pavlo Narozhnyi told DW that the attacks are not isolated incidents but part of a wider strategy to strike logistical, export, and military supply lines. Narozhnyi said the strikes aim to take out locomotives to slow Ukraine's economy and make it difficult for the government to send forces to the front lines. He explained, "War requires incredible amounts of fuel, munition, and equipment. All of that needs to be transported. You can use roads, but that's quite expensive and doesn't make financial sense. That's why most military equipment is transported along railways." He added that Russian drone pilots observe certain rail lines, wait for a train to appear, and then target the engine—not only the most expensive part but also an essential piece of equipment in short supply.

Experts say the rail lines along Ukraine's borders with Russia and Belarus, as well as southward toward Crimea and Odesa, are at the highest risk. This is because these are areas where Russian armed forces can use so-called mesh networks to deploy and steer drone swarms. Serhii Beskrestnov, an advisor to Ukraine's Defense Ministry on drones and electronic warfare, recently outlined the concept of mesh networks for drone warfare, as reported by Ukrainian digital media platform United 24 Media. He described radio-based mesh networks fitted to Shahed drones, consisting of modems that not only send and receive signals but also act as relays and signal boosters, allowing drones to maintain connectivity even if some are shot down.

Weapons expert Ivan Kyrychevskyi of Defense Express told DW that Ukraine needs more resources for air defense, referring to establishing a 'small' air-defense system with fast-moving mobile groups equipped with portable air-defense systems. He noted special security measures, such as armored plates and drone nets, are being implemented on locomotives in regions like Chernihiv and Sumy, and along the Kherson-Mykolaiv route. However, most military experts agree there is no significantly increased threat level for civilian transport in Ukraine, as Ukrzaliznytsia employees work with armed forces to monitor airspace and take safety precautions when threats are detected.

Narozhnyi emphasized that Ukraine's electronic defense systems along main railway transportation routes need to be expanded, suggesting equipping trains with counter-drone devices or using them to protect strategic facilities. He concluded, "Technically, it's all possible. The question is how much money it will take to secure the entire railway infrastructure." This analysis highlights the ongoing challenges in defending critical infrastructure amid the conflict, with the US and EU regimes facing scrutiny over their support and the broader geopolitical costs.

Source: www.dw.com