Another Drone Strike Disrupts Trains in Southern Russia – Fourth This Month

A Ukrainian drone strike hit a railway station in the Russian town of Salsk in the early hours of Tuesday, July 29, causing a fire and killing a driver nearby, Russian officials said. The attack is the fourth such strike on railway infrastructure in the Rostov region in just one month.

According to Yuriy Slyusar, the acting governor of Rostov region, the drones targeted the Salsk railway station. Russian air defenses responded to the attack, but falling debris started a fire at the station.

“According to early reports, there are no deaths or injuries among people at the station,” Slyusar wrote on his Telegram channel. “However, a car was damaged on Ostrovskogo Street, and the driver inside was killed. We are working to identify the victim.”

A large emergency response was launched, involving 45 firefighters and 12 vehicles to put out the flames. Photos shared online by Russian channels showed smoke rising from the railway area.

Russia’s national railway company, Russian Railways (RZD), said train traffic through Salsk was immediately stopped. The drone debris damaged overhead power lines used to operate electric trains. This caused significant delays for long-distance passenger trains passing through the area.

In addition, windows were shattered in two passenger cars on Train No. 59, which was traveling from Novokuznetsk to Kislovodsk. Passengers were safely evacuated, and no one was injured. A freight train also caught fire during the attack. A firefighting train was sent to help put out the blaze.

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According to the North Caucasus Railway, which oversees the region’s train operations, nine passenger trains were delayed for more than four hours because of the strike.

Ukrainian drones have been targeting rail infrastructure in southern Russia more frequently in recent weeks.

On July 25, drones struck rail stations in Rostov and Krasnodar regions, delaying over 20 passenger trains. On July 21, a drone hit Kamennolomni station in Rostov, causing a fire and delaying 26 trains.

The worst disruption came on July 19, when drone debris damaged power lines between Likhaya and Zamchalovo. Over 130 trains were delayed, some by up to 15 hours.

The drone attacks appear to be aimed at disrupting Russia’s military logistics and transportation systems. Russia’s southern railway lines are known to be used for moving troops and equipment, especially toward occupied parts of Ukraine.

The Ukrainian government has not officially claimed responsibility for these specific attacks, but it has repeatedly said that disrupting Russian military logistics is a key part of its defense strategy.