Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson narrowly escaped a Russian drone strike that targeted a train near the Ukraine-Poland border shortly after he had traveled through the area. The attack occurred on Sunday, September 13, as Johnson was returning to Poland from a security conference in Kyiv.

An air raid warning was in effect while Johnson's train was at the station, prompting passengers on the platform to seek shelter. However, those aboard the train were informed that evacuation was unnecessary as it was preparing to depart. Ukrainian Railways indicated that the train carrying Johnson, along with several security advisers from European nations, could have been the intended target of the strike.

Ukrainian Railways stated, "It is quite likely that the target of this Russian drone could also have been the diplomatic train, which departed from the station earlier than planned due to the constant threat of Russian strikes." Just 15 minutes before the drone attack, passengers on the train that was hit had been ordered to evacuate, highlighting the dangers faced by those traveling in the region.

In a statement on social media platform X, Johnson expressed his disbelief regarding the rationale behind the attack, emphasizing the ongoing risks faced by Ukrainian civilians and railway workers. He remarked, "I don't know what warped logic drove Putin to blow up a stationary Ukrainian locomotive on the Polish border this morning. What we can say for sure is that this is the kind of random and senseless attack Ukrainians are enduring every day - even on civilian railways."

Johnson also pointed out the tragic toll the conflict has taken on Ukrainian railway staff, noting that 1,700 employees of Ukrzaliznytsia, the Ukrainian railway company, have lost their lives due to the conflict. He called for increased military and financial support for Ukraine, urging for more robust air defenses and the unfreezing of Russian assets to aid Ukraine's efforts.

When are we going to give them the air defences they need?" Johnson questioned, adding that Britain could take a leading role in providing support. He expressed confidence in Ukraine's eventual victory, stating, "The Ukrainians are going to win - that much was clear from the last three days in their wonderful country. But we will get this dreadful war over much faster if we all get serious and give them what they need and deserve.

In the aftermath of the drone strike, footage showed people fleeing across railway tracks as warnings were issued. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed that the drone had struck approximately 800 meters from the Polish border, prompting an emergency meeting of advisors due to concerns about the attack's proximity to Poland.

Carl Bildt, co-chair of the European Council on Foreign Relations, clarified that the train affected was not the one carrying Johnson's group but another that followed shortly after. He noted, "This wasn't our train, but the one just minutes after us by the border crossing. It was evacuated as the drone approached and no one was hurt."

Oleksandr Pertsovskyi, an official with Ukraine's railway system, reported that there were no casualties from the strikes in the area, stating, "The enemy is attacking the railway again. As of now, there are hits in Lutsk and Fastiv. Passengers have been evacuated from the train in advance, and employees have been evacuated from their workplaces. All are safe."

The attack reflects the ongoing escalation of hostilities in the region, with Ukrainian officials remaining vigilant as they navigate the challenges posed by Russian aggression.