**Poland and Ukraine Condemn Russian Strike on Train Near Border as Escalation**
*By Harry Bligh*
*Published on 14/09/2026 - 12:05 GMT+2*
In a significant escalation of tensions, Poland and Ukraine have condemned a recent Russian strike that targeted a train bound for Warsaw, just two kilometers from the Polish border. The incident occurred at Yahodyn station shortly after a train carrying various foreign dignitaries, including former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, had passed through the same track.
Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk expressed deep concern over the attack, predicting that Moscow would intensify its military actions in the coming weeks. He described the strike as a blatant act of aggression that threatens the stability of the region.
Kaja Kallas, the European Union's foreign policy chief, echoed Tusk's sentiments, suggesting that the proximity of the strike to the Polish border was intended to intimidate Western nations supporting Ukraine. "It is clearly meant to scare Western countries from supporting Ukraine, from going to Ukraine to show support," Kallas stated. She urged allies to increase their backing for Kyiv in response to this provocative action.
Radoslaw Sikorski, Poland's foreign minister, also characterized the incident as an escalation and called for allies to "double" their support for Ukraine. The attack on the train, which reportedly only struck the locomotive, resulted in no casualties, as Ukrainian authorities confirmed that all passengers were successfully evacuated.
Eyewitness accounts from the scene indicated the presence of Russian drones overhead prior to the explosion. Former CIA Director David Petraeus, who was on a different train at Yahodyn station, described the experience as "terrifying" in an interview with the New York Times.
In a statement following the attack, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of deliberately targeting the train, asserting that such strikes are meant to disrupt support for Ukraine from Western nations. "It is precisely to prevent these strikes from spreading further into Europe that Ukrainian men and women fight every day, give their lives, and do not allow the aggression to expand," Zelenskyy emphasized.
The incident is part of a broader pattern of Russian military actions in Ukraine, which have included recent strikes that resulted in casualties in other parts of the country. Reports indicate that at least two people were killed in Kramatorsk, while an additional twenty individuals, including two children, were injured in the southern port city of Odesa.
As the situation continues to unfold, both Poland and Ukraine are calling for increased international solidarity and support against what they view as escalating Russian aggression. The implications of this strike near the border raise concerns about the potential for further military confrontations in the region, as well as the safety of civilian infrastructure amidst ongoing hostilities.
The international community is closely monitoring the developments, with many nations reaffirming their commitment to support Ukraine in its defense against Russian advances. The strike on the train serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing conflict and the risks faced by those involved in humanitarian and diplomatic efforts in the region.