German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has condemned a drone strike on a passenger train in western Ukraine, describing the attack near Poland’s border as a deliberate escalation by Russia.
The train was struck on Sunday about two kilometres from the border with Poland, a NATO member. Ukraine’s railway operator said the crew had been warned of the threat and no casualties were reported. A train carrying former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and other European visitors had travelled along the same route shortly beforehand.
Pistorius said the attack was intended to spread fear beyond Ukraine and urged Europeans to remain calm and resolute. His comments reflect growing concern in European capitals about strikes on civilian transport so close to NATO territory.
Ukrainian railway officials have raised the possibility that the earlier train carrying foreign visitors was the intended target. That has not been established, and the train that was hit was a separate passenger service.
The strike occurred inside Ukraine, but its proximity to Poland has sharpened the debate over security along Europe’s eastern border. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot also condemned the attack, saying it appeared designed to intimidate and divide Europeans.
