Train Delays Triggered by Russian Attacks
On September 13, Ukrzaliznytsia reported significant disruptions across several rail lines following renewed Russian assaults targeting Ukraine's railway infrastructure. Notably, the train running from Konotop to Zhmerinka is delayed by over 18 hours. These hold-ups are a direct consequence of evacuations, security restrictions, and rerouting of trains onto alternative tracks.
Train services operated by Ukrzaliznytsia on September 13 experienced major schedule disruptions due to the attacks. The most affected service is train №773/774 between Konotop and Zhmerinka, which is running 18 hours and 20 minutes behind schedule, with delays reaching nearly 18 hours and 45 minutes at certain stations. Other trains also face substantial postponements:
- Train №23/24 from Chełm to Kyiv delayed by approximately 10 hours;
- Train №19/20 operating Chełm to Kyiv delayed by 9 hours and 30 minutes;
- Trains №143/144 Sumy to Rakhiv and №3/4 Dnipro to Uzhhorod delayed by 9 hours and 20 minutes.
Additional delays are reported on the Kyiv to Chełm route, with train №19/20 running 8 hours late, and train №67/68 from Warsaw to Kyiv delayed by 7 hours and 10 minutes. Other routes, including trains №23/24 Kyiv to Chełm, №93/94 Chełm to Kharkiv, and №67/68 Kyiv to Warsaw, are experiencing delays between 6 and 7 hours.
Following a Russian drone strike targeting the railway infrastructure near the Yagodyn-Dorohusk border checkpoint, the drone struck the locomotive of a passenger train traveling from Kyiv to Warsaw. Although train operations on this route have resumed, significant delays persist.
Current Status of Railway Routes
On the Dnipro corridor, trains have been diverted to bypass affected sections, causing delays for services from Zaporizhzhia, Kryvyi Rih, and Dnipro. In the Sumy region, trains departing from Konotop are subject to additional safety-related restrictions. The duration of these delays can fluctuate depending on ongoing alerts, evacuations, and rerouted travel.
"Ukrzaliznytsia is prioritizing passenger safety by continuously adjusting train schedules in line with security conditions; however, such delays may become a recurring challenge during this difficult period," the company stated.
Amid the ongoing conflict, attacks on Ukraine's railway network continue to heavily impact the country's transportation system, complicating passenger travel and logistics. This situation underscores the importance of vigilant monitoring and preparedness for potential route and timetable changes.
The ongoing conflict has not only disrupted train services but has also resulted in targeted attacks on rail infrastructure, leading to casualties. For further details on how Russian forces have specifically targeted trains in the Sumy and Dnipro-Zaporizhzhia regions, causing injuries and fatalities, see our report on recent attacks on rail services.