Latvian Justice Minister describes dramatic return from Ukraine after drone strike on train
Justice Minister Edvards Smiltēns, after a working visit to Ukraine, described a tense return trip when his train of European politicians was suddenly evacuated over a possible drone threat, with a following train later hit. He warned of escalating Russian attacks on infrastructure and a possible refugee influx this winter.
Latvian Justice Minister Edvards Smiltēns (AS) visited Ukraine from September 10 to 13, meeting with Ukrainian Justice Minister Denys Maslov, Verkhovna Rada Deputy Speaker Olena Kondratiuk, and other officials. Talks covered judicial reform, Ukraine's path to EU integration, and holding Russia accountable for international crimes. Smiltēns also took part in the Yalta European Strategy (YES) conference in Kyiv, which brought together politicians, diplomats and security experts to discuss Ukraine's security and future support.
Nighttime alarm at the border
Speaking on TV24's "Ziņu TOP" program, Smiltēns said that on the way back, traveling by train with other European politicians including Boris Johnson and Radosław Sikorski, passengers were suddenly woken in the middle of the night and rushed off the train because of a possible drone attack. The incident occurred right near the Polish border, where security personnel pushed the train across the border on an accelerated schedule. As soon as their train had crossed, a second train on the Kyiv–Warsaw route was struck in a drone attack.
As previously reported, a Russian drone hit a passenger train early on September 13 near Yahodyn station, about two kilometers from the Ukraine-Poland border. The train carried 206 passengers, none of whom were injured. Ukrainian railway operator Ukrzaliznytsia said the train carrying foreign officials had departed earlier than originally scheduled, suggesting it may have been the intended target.
Smiltēns said he saw several burned-out trains and damaged stations along the route, stressing that this rail line is one of the main connections linking Ukraine to Europe.
Concerns over winter and population movement
The minister also addressed Ukraine's readiness for the cold season, noting that Russian strikes on energy infrastructure raise concerns about residents' ability to endure winter. On September 17, Russia carried out a large-scale missile and drone attack on Kyiv and other cities, hitting energy facilities among other targets. Smiltēns warned that resulting power disruptions could trigger a new wave of people fleeing Ukraine for other countries during the winter months.
