At least 12 people were killed in renewed Russian strikes across Ukraine, including a deadly drone attack on a passenger train in the northeastern Kharkiv region, Ukrainian authorities reported. The incident has once again raised alarm over the safety of civilians and critical transportation infrastructure amid the ongoing conflict.

According to Ukraine’s Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, a Russian drone struck a carriage of a passenger train that was transporting nearly 200 people. In a post on social media platform X, she confirmed that at least five passengers were killed in the train attack alone, with several others injured. Emergency services were rushed to the scene to evacuate survivors and provide medical assistance to the wounded.

The train strike occurred in the Kharkiv region, an area that has frequently come under attack due to its proximity to the Russian border and its strategic importance. Images and preliminary reports from local authorities indicated extensive damage to the train carriage, underscoring the vulnerability of civilian transport during the conflict.

Beyond the train attack, additional Russian strikes across Ukraine reportedly contributed to the rising death toll. Civilian areas were among the targets, according to Ukrainian officials, who accused Moscow of intensifying aerial assaults using drones and missiles. The attacks disrupted daily life and prompted air raid alerts in multiple regions.

Ukrainian officials strongly condemned the strike on the passenger train, describing it as a direct attack on civilians. They reiterated calls for stronger international pressure on Russia and increased air defense support to protect civilian infrastructure. The government has also urged global partners to take note of what it described as repeated violations of international humanitarian norms.

The targeting of passenger trains has sparked particular outrage, as railways remain a vital lifeline in Ukraine during the war. Trains are widely used for civilian travel, evacuation, humanitarian aid transport, and essential logistics. Attacks on such infrastructure significantly increase civilian risk and complicate emergency response efforts.

Russia has not immediately commented on the specific allegations related to the train strike. In past statements, Moscow has maintained that it targets military and strategic infrastructure, a claim Ukraine and its allies strongly dispute.

As the war continues, civilian casualties remain a central concern for international observers and humanitarian organizations. Repeated strikes on residential areas and transport systems have highlighted the growing toll on non-combatants, particularly in frontline and border regions such as Kharkiv.

The latest incident adds to mounting evidence of the human cost of the conflict, now in its prolonged phase with no immediate resolution in sight. Ukrainian authorities have stated that investigations into the attack are ongoing, while medical teams continue to treat the injured.

The strike on a passenger train carrying nearly 200 civilians stands as one of the most disturbing recent episodes in the conflict, reinforcing calls for renewed diplomatic efforts and enhanced protection for civilians caught in the crossfire.