A passenger train traveling from Kyiv to Warsaw was struck in a Russian drone attack near the Polish border on Sunday, September 13, 2026, according to Ukrainian and Polish authorities. No injuries were reported among the 206 passengers on board, though Ukrainian officials state the targeted train may have been carrying high-profile political figures.
Border Crossing Near-Miss Involves International Officials
The strike occurred near the Yahodyn border crossing, situated just 800 meters from the Polish border, according to Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. The Polish rail operator PKP Intercity confirmed that 206 passengers were traveling on the service when it was hit. A video shared by the Kyiv Independent documented the strike.
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Ukrainian state railway operator Ukrzaliznytsia stated that it is “fully possible” the intended target was a separate train carrying international diplomats and security advisors who had recently attended a conference in Kyiv. That diplomatic transport had departed ahead of schedule, avoiding the impact zone.
Among those who had recently left the area were former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt, and former CIA Director David Petraeus, who was traveling on a separate train at the station, according to BBC reports and statements on X by Johnson.
Political Fallout and Calls for Doubled Support
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski condemned the strike during a press conference in Kyiv on Sunday, labeling the event an escalation of the war. Sikorski urged international allies to double their assistance to Ukraine in response to what he described as a growing challenge posed by Russian aggression.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj characterized the drone strike as a targeted operation. Meanwhile, the Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed the attack in an official statement, explaining that strikes continue against railway infrastructure in western Ukraine used to transport military supplies from European nations.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Was anyone injured in the train attack?
No, the 206 passengers on board the train from Kyiv to Warsaw escaped injury when the drone struck near the Polish border, according to the Polish rail operator PKP Intercity.
Which political figures were near the attack site?
Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt, and former CIA Director David Petraeus had departed the area shortly before the strike, according to BBC reports and Ukrainian railway officials.
How have Polish authorities responded?
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski called the drone strike an escalation of the conflict and publicly demanded that international partners double their support for Ukraine.
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