A fireball soared 1,000ft into the air when a train derailed in Russia. Smoke billowed across the country’s Tambov region after an explosion which is suspected to have resulted from sabotage on a train carrying supplies for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine.
About 30 train wagons were said to have been damaged by the blast on railway tracks at Kochetovka-2 station, which is believed to be a stop for goods being carried to southern Russia to supply Putin’s illegal war. A column of thick, black smoke could be seen rising from a carriage in pictures and video of the derailment.
An investigation has been launched into the cause of the incident, which led to train delays but did no reported casualties, The Sun reported.
While it is not clear what caused the explosion, Ukraine has targeted Russia’s train network before, including in 2023 when the Ukrainians bombed the country’s longest railway tunnel.
Reports of the derailment came as Russian missiles and drones continue to pound Ukraine’s energy grid.
Kyiv has accused Moscow of illegally targeting power infrastructure to deny Ukrainians light, heating and running water.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday: « Taking advantage of the coldest days of winter to terrorize people is more important to Russia than diplomacy. »
His comment came on the eve of talks in Abu Dhabi between the US, Ukraine and Russia about ending the war and as the mercury plunged to -20C in parts of Ukraine.
The Russian military has repeatedly insisted it has targeted energy facilities and other infrastructure which support Ukraine’s military industries and armed forces. It has denied targeting residential areas despite evidence to the contrary.
Russia used cluster munitions on Wednesday in an attack on a busy market in eastern Ukraine which killed seven and wounded 15 others, according to Ukrainian officials.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said US President Donald Trump was « unfortunately unsurprised » by Moscow’s resumption of attacks.
Mr Zelensky said more than 200 repair crews were working to restore power in Kyiv.
Envoys from Russia and Ukraine meeting in the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday were joined by US special envoy Steve Witkoff and the US president’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, according to chief Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov.
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