The Kremlin has dismissed concerns over a Russian drone strike near Poland and said Russian forces will continue operating across Ukraine.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov made the statement after a Russian drone struck a passenger-train locomotive in western Ukraine, about 2 kilometres from the Polish border.
The attack has raised fresh concerns in Warsaw and among Ukraine’s European allies. However, Moscow said the strike took place entirely on Ukrainian territory.
Kremlin Defends Russian Military Operations
Peskov said Russian forces were carrying out their military tasks across Ukraine.
He rejected the suggestion that the location near Poland changed the nature of the attack.
The Kremlin spokesman said Russia would continue its operations throughout Ukrainian territory.
The comments came after Poland and Ukraine confirmed the strike near the border. No one was injured in the attack, according to Ukrainian and Polish authorities.
Train Hit Near Polish Border
The Russian drone struck the locomotive of a passenger train travelling from Kyiv toward Warsaw.
The train was near Yahodyn railway station in Ukraine’s Volyn region. The strike occurred only about 2 kilometres from Poland.
Ukrainian railway officials said staff warned the train crew in advance. Passengers were evacuated, and no casualties were reported.
A separate drone strike also hit infrastructure near the Yahodyn-Dorohusk border crossing. The incident briefly disrupted activity at the crossing.
Diplomatic Train Narrowly Avoided Strike
The attack has attracted even greater attention because a diplomatic train had travelled through the area shortly before the strike.
Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt were among those travelling on the earlier train. European security advisers also joined the delegation.
Ukrainian Railways said the diplomatic train left the station ahead of schedule because of security concerns. The railway operator suggested that the Russian drone may have targeted the earlier train.
However, Moscow has not said that the diplomatic train was its target.
Poland Warns of Escalation
The strike has alarmed Poland because the attack happened so close to NATO territory.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called a special government meeting after the incident. Warsaw has also warned that Russia could attempt further actions near Ukraine’s western borders.
Poland remains one of Ukraine’s most important supporters. Much of the Western military and humanitarian assistance entering Ukraine passes through the country.
As a result, attacks near the border carry wider security implications for Warsaw and its European allies.
EU Accuses Russia of Intimidation
The European Union has also condemned the recent strikes.
EU officials said the attacks appear designed to intimidate Western countries and discourage them from supporting Ukraine.
The latest incident comes as Russia continues its long-range campaign against Ukrainian infrastructure. Western Ukraine sits far from the main front lines, yet Moscow has repeatedly targeted transport and logistics infrastructure there.
Russia’s Defence Ministry has said it targets infrastructure that supports military supplies entering Ukraine from Europe.
War Risks Spill Toward NATO Borders
The incident adds to growing fears that Russia’s war against Ukraine could create more risks for neighbouring NATO countries.
No Russian strike has been reported inside Poland in this incident. The attack occurred on Ukrainian territory.
Still, the location has heightened concern in Warsaw and other European capitals.
Peskov’s latest comments suggest Moscow has no intention of limiting its strikes because of their proximity to NATO borders.
For Ukraine’s allies, that creates another difficult security challenge. The fighting remains inside Ukraine, but the risks increasingly reach the borders of the wider European security system.
