Fresh details have emerged over the Russian drone strike near the Ukraine-Poland border, with growing concerns that a diplomatic train carrying former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and other senior Western figures may have been the intended target.
The train carrying Johnson was travelling from Kyiv towards Poland when it received a drone alert, prompting authorities to adjust its schedule and allow it to cross the border earlier than planned.
Shortly after the diplomatic train passed through the area, another train on the same route was evacuated after a nearby locomotive was struck by a drone and burst into flames. No casualties were reported.
Ukraine’s railway operator, Ukrzaliznytsia, said it was “quite likely” that the diplomatic train was the target of the attack, citing the timing of the strike and the presence of high-profile foreign officials on board.
The train reportedly carried several Western security figures, including advisers from European Union countries, former United States CIA Director David Petraeus, and former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt.
“Shortly before the locomotive was hit on the border between Ukraine and Poland at the Yagodin station, a diplomatic train was present, carrying, among others, security advisors from several EU member states, as well as former European leaders, including former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson,” the railway operator said.
The development has intensified speculation over whether the drone strike was a deliberate attempt to send a warning message to Western leaders supporting Ukraine.
Security analysts described the incident as a possible intimidation tactic by Moscow, arguing that Russia would have been aware of the movement of senior foreign officials along the route.
Peter Dickinson, editor of Ukraine Alert at the Atlantic Council, described the incident as a “Mafia-style message” from the Kremlin, claiming Moscow was attempting to pressure European countries over their support for Ukraine.
However, Ukrainian officials acknowledged that there was no definitive proof that the train carrying Johnson was specifically targeted.
Ukraine’s railway chief, Oleksandr Pertsovskyi, said the timing of the attack raised serious questions but stopped short of confirming the motive behind the strike.
“Whether or not it’s a coincidence that this happened at the same time as a train carrying high-profile foreign figures was passing through this specific crossing, that we cannot say. But it certainly poses many questions,” he said.
Johnson, who had travelled to Kyiv for a security conference, later dismissed concerns that the incident would prevent him from returning to Ukraine.
“Nothing will deter me from using Ukrainian railways or going back to Ukraine,” he said.
The Kremlin has not confirmed responsibility for the drone strike or responded to claims that the diplomatic train carrying Johnson and other Western figures may have been the intended target.
