Russian drones struck a passenger train in Kharkiv Oblast on Jan. 27, hitting a locomotive and passenger car and causing a fire, Ukrainian officials said.

At least five people were killed, and two others were injured in the attack, the Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office reported later in the evening.

According to Ukrzaliznitsia and regional officials, the train – operating on the Barhinkove-Lviv-Chop route – was carrying 291 passengers at the time of the strike.

Oleh Syniehubov, head of Kharkiv Oblast Administration, confirmed that the attack occurred in the Barvinkove community.

The Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office said that Russian launched three Geran-2 Shahed-type drones at the train, one of which struck the carrier, and two others hit the area near the train.

"The strikes hit the front of the locomotive and a passenger car, causing a fire," Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Kuleba said. "Passangers were evacuated as soon as possible."

Emergency services, including medics, rescuers, and railway crews, responded at the scene. Authorities said reserve buses were dispatched to transport passengers, as well as those waiting for return journeys.

"The strike on a passenger train is a direct act of Russian terror against civilians. There was no military target", Kuleba said.

Russian forces have repeatedly targeted civilian infrastructure across Ukraine, including railways, energy facilities, and residential areas, despite Moscow’s claims that it does not strike civilian targets.

Ukrainian authorities and international organizations have described such attacks as violations of international humanitarian law.