Russia Attacks Yahodyn Border Crossing and Passenger Train on Polish Border

On September 13, Russian strike drones attacked the Yahodyn international border crossing, the largest crossing by capacity on the Polish border. A train traveling from Kyiv to Warsaw was also hit.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha reported the attack.

The minister called on partner countries to significantly strengthen sanctions in response to attacks near the borders of EU and NATO countries.

“Russia’s barbaric strikes at the Ukraine-Poland border in Yahodyn are not just a continuation of its attacks on our state borders. This is Putin’s terror “knocking” directly on the doors of the EU and NATO. Russian barbarians are at your gate, dear partners. Act now: throw the full weight of your sanctions at Putin’s aggressive regime. Make Moscow feel the consequences of its terror. Not just half-decisions, but uncompromising, powerful steps. Full trade embargo. Full entry bans. Full sanctions on the military industry. Putin needs to understand that his barbarism will be met with decisive action that increases the cost of war for him to an unacceptable level. This is the only way to stop him,” he stated.

Valentyna Chernysh, a spokesperson for the Volyn Customs Office, said in comments to Suspilne TV that a gas station near the Yahodyn border crossing was damaged in the Russian attack.

Falling debris caused fires at the gas station buildings and several trucks parked nearby. According to her, all border operations were suspended during the air raid alert, and people were in shelters.

In addition, a drone hit a passenger train’s locomotive traveling from Kyiv to Warsaw near the Yahodyn border crossing.
Oleksandr Shevchenko, deputy director of Ukrzaliznytsia for passenger transportation, confirmed this in comments to Suspilne.

According to him, there were no injuries or fatalities. A monitoring group warned the train crew of the threat in advance. At the time of the strike, the train was two kilometers from the Polish border in Volyn region.

In response to the Russian attack on the Yahodyn border crossing, Poland scrambled aircraft and placed ground-based air defense systems on alert.

In addition, air raid alerts were issued in Włodawa, Lublin, and Świdnica counties, as well as in the city of Chełm and Chełm and Krasnystaw counties.

Since late August, Russia has significantly intensified attacks on border crossings. On August 25 and September 9, the Vynohradivka and Starokozache border crossings on the border with Moldova were targeted, while on September 1, the Orlivka international ferry border crossing in the Odesa region on the Ukrainian-Romanian border was targeted.