Russia intensified its attacks on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure over the weekend, targeting railway lines and energy facilities across several regions, including Sumy, Chernihiv, and Dnipropetrovsk.
Russian shelling damaged railway infrastructure in the Sumy direction, causing delays to several trains.
According to a message from Ukrzaliznytsia on Telegram, two trains operating on the Uzhhorod-Kharkiv and Kharkiv-Lviv routes departed from the Plysky station with delays of more than an hour due to the replacement of locomotive traction.
There are also changes in regional routes, with several suburban services arriving behind schedule.
Earlier, the head of Ukrzaliznytsia’s board, Oleksandr Pertsovsky, said that Russia is deliberately targeting the railway network to disrupt connections with frontline territories, particularly the Sumy and Chernihiv regions.
The Russians are attacking to block the main routes and are also trying to cut off backup lines, he said.
Pertsovsky added that passengers are being safely evacuated and transported by bus to Sumy, Konotop, Shostka, and other nearby cities, keeping them away from affected areas.
Meanwhile, on Sunday evening, Oct. 19, Russian forces struck an energy facility in the Koryukivsky district of the Chernihiv region, leaving around 55,000 customers without electricity.
Early in the morning of Oct. 20, Russian troops again targeted the energy infrastructure of the region – this time in the Nizhyn district.
As Chernihivoblenergo reported on Telegram:
“The enemy does not stop its large-scale attacks on the energy system of our region. We have another hit on an energy facility in the Nizhyn district, leaving 2,700 customers without electricity.”
The company added that the damage was “very large-scale.” Power engineers are working around the clock to eliminate the consequences and restore electricity to consumers as soon as possible.
The head of the Chernihiv Regional Military Administration (OVA), Vyacheslav Chaus, later clarified that on Oct. 19, Russian forces struck several energy facilities and infrastructure sites across the region.
Nine settlements in three districts – Koryukiv, Nizhyn, and Pryluky – were hit. Fires broke out at several impact sites but were quickly extinguished by firefighters. Tens of thousands of homes were left without power.
Chaus said that in the Nizhyn district, Russian troops again targeted a railway, while in Pryluky they hit an agricultural enterprise.
In addition, fires broke out in a five-story residential building and nearby shops in the Dnipropetrovsk region as a result of a Russian drone attack early on Monday.
The acting head of the Dnipropetrovsk OVA, Vladyslav Haivanenko, wrote on Telegram:
“The enemy hit the Mezhivska and Pokrovska communities of the Synelnykivsky district with drones. A fire broke out in a five-story building. Shops were also set on fire. The cultural center was damaged.”
Additionally, Russian forces attacked the Nikopol district with an FPV drone and artillery. Strikes hit the district center and the Pokrovska community, damaging four private houses, six outbuildings, and a power line.
Deputy Prime Minister for Reconstruction and Minister of Community and Territorial Development Oleksiy Kuleba said on Telegram that Russian troops once again attacked Ukraine’s critical logistical infrastructure, including port facilities and railways.
According to him, energy workers began restoration work on the railway overnight, but Russia sent more drones to strike the same area.
“Thanks to the monitoring system, workers were evacuated in time – there were no casualties. Train traffic is being maintained, with reserve locomotives involved,” Kuleba wrote.
Port facilities were also hit, damaging several buildings and infrastructure elements. Fires that broke out after the strikes were promptly extinguished.
“Port workers were in shelters, so, fortunately, there were no casualties. A number of ports are temporarily not accepting trains – traffic will resume once the situation stabilizes,” he added.
Kuleba emphasized that Russia is deliberately targeting infrastructure vital to Ukraine’s economy and logistics.
“Russia is trying to destroy what keeps the country connected. But even under fire, the system continues to function, and we keep restoring it. Our main priority is people’s safety,” he said.
Emergency commissions and repair teams are working on-site, gradually restoring transport and power supplies. Rescuers and utility services continue to eliminate the aftermath of the attacks.
According to the Air Force, Russia launched three Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles and 60 Shahed and Geran-type attack drones from four directions. About 40 of them were Shaheds.
Ukraine’s Air Force, air defense, electronic warfare, and mobile fire units repelled the attack. As of 9:00 a.m., 38 Russian drones were destroyed or neutralized across the north, south, and east of the country.
In total, three ballistic missiles and 20 strike UAVs were recorded at 12 impact sites.
This news story might be updated as more information becomes available.