Long-distance train services across two rail sections in Russia's Bryansk and Kaluga regions have been suspended following an attack by Ukrainian forces, regional rail operator Moscow Railway announced.
Traffic was halted on the rail line between Unecha and Zlynka in Bryansk region, as well as on the line connecting Lyudinovo-1 and Dyatkovo across the regional border. Moscow Railway confirmed that no casualties were caused by the strike and stated that emergency recovery teams were deployed to the locations to conduct repairs.
Passengers on train No. 85 travelling from Moscow to Novozybkov were transported as far as Pochep station. Moscow Railway said replacement buses were arranged to carry those passengers onward from Pochep to their final destination in Novozybkov. In addition, train No. 489, operating from the Black Sea resort city of Anapa to the Belarusian capital of Minsk, was diverted onto an alternative rail route.
Local commuter train traffic to Unecha station continues to operate according to its regular timetable despite the suspensions on long-distance routes, the rail operator added.
Disruptions across western rail network
Moscow Railway is a subsidiary of state operator Russian Railways, managing passenger and freight lines across central and western Russia. Bryansk region and Kaluga region are located southwest of Moscow, with Bryansk directly bordering Ukraine to the south and Belarus to the west. Towns such as Unecha, Zlynka, and Novozybkov serve as rail transit points for passenger trains travelling between central Russia and neighboring Belarus.
The disruption follows a separate attack by Ukrainian forces in Bryansk region that resulted in the collapse of a railway bridge while a train was passing over it. That earlier incident caused 10 railcars to derail from the tracks.
Recovery operations underway
Moscow Railway reported that specialists are currently conducting restoration work at the damaged sites along both affected lines to repair infrastructure and allow normal train movement to resume.
