EU diplomat says Russian train strike intended to scare Kyiv's Western supporters

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Monday that the Russian missile strike that hit a Warsaw‑bound passenger train near the Ukraine‑Poland border was intended to “scare” off Kyiv’s Western supporters. The attack occurred shortly after a delegation of senior Western officials, including representatives from the European Union and NATO, traveled through the region on a diplomatic mission. According to Borrell, the timing of the strike suggests a deliberate attempt by Moscow to intimidate the countries backing Ukraine’s defence efforts.

The incident, which took place on a rail line close to the eastern frontier of Poland, caused damage to the train but resulted in no reported fatalities. Ukrainian authorities are investigating the strike as part of a broader pattern of cross‑border attacks that have escalated since the start of the conflict. While the exact strategic objective remains unclear, the EU’s statement underscores concerns that Russia may be using such actions to pressure the international coalition supporting Kyiv.