Russian ballistic missiles struck a railway enterprise in Kyiv’s Darnytsia district early Saturday morning, Aug. 22, killing an employee of the state rail operator Ukrzaliznytsia.
Ukrzaliznytsia CEO Oleksandr Pertsovskyi stated that the strike occurred almost simultaneously with the ballistic threat warning. The deceased worker was a foreman, and the remaining staff were evacuated immediately after the first impact.
Pertsovskyi also reported that Russian forces targeted the Odesa railway network, damaging the Rozdilna station building. Despite the strikes, the railway’s overall operations and train schedules remain unaffected.
Independence Day warnings and broader strikes
The railway strike was part of a broader attack on the Ukrainian capital involving ballistic missiles and loitering munitions. Ukraine’s Air Force reported missiles approaching from the northeast, followed by drone threats.
Kyiv authorities previously indicated that a warehouse in the Darnytskyi district caught fire as a result of the strikes, prompting an emergency response.
The attack occurred two days before Ukraine marks its 35th Independence Day on Aug. 24. The Security Service of Ukraine had previously urged citizens to remain vigilant, warning of potential Russian provocations and strikes surrounding the anniversary.
The Saturday strikes follow an attack on Kyiv on Aug. 20, which resulted in 16 fatalities and 42 injuries.
City authorities reported that the Aug. 20 barrage damaged residential buildings, a school, a children’s hospital, and other civilian infrastructure. The capital observed an official day of mourning on Friday for the victims of that attack.