Ukraine may have destroyed over 100 Russian vehicles using hidden drones on a military train, showcasing innovative tactics that strain Russian logistics and raise questions about Kyiv’s approach to peace talks.
Just a week after the Security Services of Ukraine (SBU) launched its daring drone strike on multiple Russian air bases, the Southern Defense Forces of Ukraine claimed to have carried out another brazen attack, this time destroying more than a dozen Russian tanks and at least 100 other armored vehicles that were being transported on a Russian train in the occupied section of country’s south.
Independent war reporter Igor Sushko wrote on X, “Ukrainian drones flew out of grain train car hatches and destroyed 13 Russian tanks and more than 100 armored vehicles and other equipment being transported by the Russian train in occupied southern Ukraine. The hatches appear to have been opened remotely, again.”
The National Interest has not verified the claims of the attack.
Drones Allow Ukraine to Stand Up to Russia
If confirmed, this would be the second covert attack that Kyiv has carried out right under Russia’s nose. Beyond demonstrating how small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can serve as a force multiplier for Ukraine, it will also require the Kremlin to heighten its security nearly everywhere.
The drones provide a form of asymmetrical warfare, as they were launched from transport trucks within Russia, without the drivers even knowing what they were carrying, and now, drones struck the very same train on which they were hidden!
Since the start of the war, low-cost drones have been successful in targeting high-value assets, but these coordinated assaults were unlike anything seen in modern warfare. At least a dozen long-range strategic bombers were believed to have been destroyed in last week’s aerial assault, while Kyiv has claimed that more than 40, or a third of Russia’s bomber force, was damaged or destroyed by drones launched from the trucks.
Kyiv is now alleging that its drone strike on Saturday afternoon local time resulted in the destruction of a Russian railway locomotive, 13 tanks, and more than 100 other vehicles. It is possible some of the equipment on the train could be salvaged and repaired, but the loss of a locomotive would be the more serious blow.
Although the state-owned railway (RZHD) has approximately 20,000 locomotives, only a small fraction are designed for military transport and can carry heavy tanks and other military equipment.
The Kyiv Post reported in February 2024 that Western sanctions have impacted the ability to import parts to keep the train engines running.
While the Kremlin had vast stockpiles of tanks to draw from, even if some were arguably well past their prime, the same isn’t remotely true of train locomotives. Each loss is as severe as the bombers that were destroyed.
Moreover, Russian forces would have to clear the wreck if the train derailed, which is possible and even likely if the locomotive was attacked. The exact location isn’t known, but it could be within striking distance of Ukrainian rockets, missiles, and even additional drones. That could put any recovery effort in a hot zone, further complicating matters for the Kremlin.
Will Ukraine Commit to the Peace Talks?
Over the past week, social media has been abuzz about whether Kyiv is serious about peace talks if it carries out such brazen and daring attacks. However, supporters of Ukraine have argued that this may strengthen its position.
It counters Russia’s demands and highlights how this war could be increasingly brought to Russia. If drones can strike an air base in Siberia and the naval base outside of Murmansk, then what is to stop Ukrainian drones from targeting population centers such as Moscow and St. Petersburg?
This is a developing story.
About the Author: Peter Suciu
Peter Suciu has contributed over 3,200 published pieces to more than four dozen magazines and websites over a thirty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected].
Image Credit: Shutterstock/Drop of Light.
