Passengers on board all trains in Crimea evacuated after one killed in drone attack: Report
Moscow, June 8
Passengers on board all trains currently on the Crimean Peninsula have been evacuated following a drone attack on a Moscow-Simferopol train, Russian news agency TASS reported, citing the Grand Service Express rail operator.
According to TASS, the announcement was made by the Grand Service Express rail operator, which reported on its Telegram channel and passengers from three specific trains are now being transported to Simferopol by bus.
"Passengers on all trains on the Crimean Peninsula have been evacuated. Currently, buses are transporting passengers to Simferopol on trains No. 68 Moscow-Simferopol, departing on June 6; No. 77 St. Petersburg-Simferopol, departing on June 6; and No. 7 St. Petersburg-Sevastopol, departing on June 6," the statement read.
This comes after Crimean Governor Sergey Aksyonov had reported that one person was killed and another injured in a Ukrainian drone strike on the locomotive of the Moscow-Simferopol passenger train. The passengers were unharmed, and local authorities began organising alternative bus transport.
"According to preliminary reports, an enemy drone strike on the locomotive of the Moscow-Simferopol passenger train has injured the driver and killed the assistant driver. Passengers were not harmed," Aksyonov wrote on his Telegram channel as per TASS.
He expressed condolences to the family and friends of the deceased and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.
"The authorities of the Republic of Crimea will provide all necessary assistance and support", he assured.
As developments continue in the region, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday shared that he held a meeting with the UK's Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz as part of the E3-Ukraine format, where they held discussions focused on Kiev's defence.
During his visit to Britain, Zelenskyy also held discussions with Starmer and informed him of Kiev's need for additional missiles for air defence systems and other essentials for "protecting energy infrastructure" and preparing for winter.
— ANI
Reader Comments
War is horrible... But I have to ask, why were there still trains running in a conflict zone? The railway operator should have suspended services much earlier. Now one family is mourning a loved one. Crimea has been a flashpoint for years. India should use its diplomatic channels to push for an immediate ceasefire.
Wait, so the passengers were unharmed but the driver was killed? That's tragic. 😢 I'm glad the civilians are safe but this is still a loss of life. And now all trains in Crimea are being evacuated - this looks like a major escalation. The international community needs to step up, not just give more missiles. India's call for de-escalation is more relevant than ever.
Honestly, this kind of news makes me sick. 😞 An attack on a passenger train is unacceptable, period. I know there's a war, but targeting civilian infrastructure crosses a line. Crimea has been a contested region, but the people caught in the middle don't deserve this. India should condemn this attack unequivocally.
I agree with others here - this is disturbing. But let's also look at the bigger picture. Ukraine is defending itself, and Russia occupied Crimea. Still, hitting trains with civilians is not the right way. Both sides need to come to the table. India has always been a friend to both Russia and Ukraine - we could mediate.
This is a grim reminder that war has no winners. The assistant driver was just doing his job and now he's gone. 😔 The evacuation of all trains shows how serious
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