‘Explosive device’ derails freight train at border with Ukraine

2023-05-02 16:32:36

An “explosive device” caused the derailment and fire of a freight train on Monday in the Bryansk region (Russia), on the border with Ukraine. The incident, which caused no casualties, was confirmed by the governor of the region.

A high voltage line was also damaged on the same day by an explosive device in the Leningrad region. The incidents come a day after a Ukrainian strike that killed four people in a village in the Bryansk region and two days after a drone attack that caused a huge fire at an oil depot in annexed Crimea.

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Train derailed by unknown saboteurs on the Bryansk-Unecha line.

Various Russian channels confirm that it was carrying oil.
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Derailment of seven cars

According to a statement from the Russian Railways company, the train’s locomotive and two tanks caught fire after derailing. The fire was brought under control by firefighters in the early afternoon. In addition to the locomotive, seven wagons derailed: four of them contained hydrocarbons, the others building materials.

For its part, the Belarusian railway company indicated in a press release at the end of the afternoon that it was one of its trains, which left the Belarusian city of Gomel and was destined for Briansk. According to her, the device exploded “50 meters” from the train. Images broadcast by several media show the locomotive and wagons on fire, lying near the rails.

A terrorist risk in Russia

Belarus, an allied country of Moscow serving as a rear base for Russian troops, has reported sabotage on its railways in recent months and arrested several suspects. Russia has also been confronted with acts of sabotage on military bases, in army recruitment centers and on railways since the start of the war in Ukraine. More than 65 people suspected of railway sabotage have been arrested.

Russia has also repeatedly denounced incursions by Ukrainian armed groups on its territory, particularly in the Briansk region. But this is the first time that such a spectacular derailment has been publicly reported. The Russian authorities are insisting that the terrorist risk has increased. Many public events organized in early May for major national holidays were canceled due to threats deemed too high.