Asger Risom
No casualties reported after overnight strikes damage key transport infrastructure near Bukovyna.
Tensions in western Ukraine escalated early Thursday morning as Russian forces launched a drone attack targeting a railway line in the Chernivtsi region.
The strike, which occurred shortly after 4 a.m. local time, damaged infrastructure but caused no injuries, according to regional officials.
The assault marks a rare incursion into Bukovyna, a relatively quieter part of Ukraine near the Romanian border.
While the region has largely been spared from direct attacks since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, recent strikes suggest a broader targeting strategy aimed at disrupting Ukraine’s critical transport routes.
Alert, Interception, and Aftermath
According to Digi24, an air raid siren sounded at 4:12 a.m., prompting residents across the region to take cover.
Minutes later, multiple explosions were heard as Ukrainian air defense forces engaged a group of drones approaching from the east.
One of the drones was intercepted above a railway station in Bukovyna, but debris from the downed craft caused a fire on site.
Firefighters quickly contained the blaze, preventing further damage.
“There are no casualties. The situation is under control,” said Ruslan Zaparaniuk, head of the Chernivtsi Regional Military Administration, in a statement posted on Facebook.
He confirmed that while the railway was damaged, the response from air defense systems had successfully mitigated a potentially larger impact.
Expanding Target Zones
Chernivtsi, located near NATO’s eastern frontier, has remained largely insulated from the heaviest fighting.
However, the attack signals that Russia is increasingly targeting logistics hubs and supply corridors deeper inside Ukraine.
Military analysts suggest that such operations may be aimed at slowing down Western weapons deliveries and disrupting Ukraine’s internal mobility ahead of intensified fighting on other fronts.
While the damage from this latest strike was limited, the psychological impact on local populations in western Ukraine—until now considered relatively safe—should not be underestimated.
Authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant, as drone incursions become more frequent across regions previously seen as secure.