Russia strikes Ukrainian railways with airstrikes, to prevent the delivery of American weapons to the front and to complicate military logistics, a source from the Kyiv intelligence agency quoted by Reuters said on Friday.
The United States has approved an aid package worth $61 billion to Ukraine this week and said the first shipments should arrive within days, easing an acute shortage of artillery shells that has crippled Kiev’s forces for months.
As the aid was finalized after six months of wrangling in Congress, Russia’s defense minister Sergei Shoigu said on Tuesday that Moscow will increase attacks on logistics centers and warehousesstoring Western weapons.
On Thursday, Ukrainian railway infrastructure became the target of Russian strikes in eastern Donetsk region, northeastern Kharkiv region and central Cherkasy region, the national railway company said.
The attack in Donetsk, which is the main focus of the Russian offensive in the east, killed three electrical engineersworking for the railroad company, and wounded four others, the release said.
Russia confirmed the shelling of Balakleya and Udachnoe, the targets were weapons and troop trains
Three people died in Udachnoye, and over 10 were injured in Balakleya
In Kharkiv, which borders Russia, a blow struck the railway station in the town of Balakleyainjuring 13 people, including three railwaymen, officials said. The town of Balakleya was liberated by Russian troops in 2022.
Ukrainian officials rarely give detailed statements about strikes on sensitive military targetsbut the Ukrainian intelligence source confirmed to Reuters that there had been attacks on rail infrastructure aimed at disrupting arms supplies.
“Also the overall complication of our logistics,” the source added.
Many times superior in numbers and weapons to the forces of Kiev, Russian troops have momentum on the battlefield since February, when they captured the town of Avdeevka.
A US defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said on Thursday that the aim of the aid from the United States was to Ukraine was given the opportunity to regain the initiative.
Kiev is facing a shortage of military personnel on the battlefield and questions remain about the sustainability of its fortifications along the 1,000 km long front line.
Russia periodically attacks railway infrastructure during the 26-month invasion.
In April, the Ukrzaliznytsia railway company temporarily suspended all deliveries to the southern Black Sea port of Chernomorsk.
He did not give a reason for the decisions, but Ukrainian media reported that the Russian attacks may have damaged railway tracks to the port’s cargo terminals.
Ukraine: We destroyed a military helicopter at the airport in New Moscow
The destroyed machine is a Ka-32
