Forbes: The Kremlin Fired A "Warning Shot"
- 17.09.2026, 11:42
This is a classic example of Putin's gangster tactics.
A Russian drone attacked railroad tracks on the border between Ukraine and Poland shortly after Moscow threatened the United Kingdom over its military aid to Ukraine. At the time of the strike, trains carrying former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and former CIA Director David Petraeus were in the vicinity, according to Forbes.
According to Ukrainian officials, an advanced Russian drone collided with a passenger train that was traveling immediately behind Boris Johnson’s train. A train carrying David Petraeus was also nearby.
At the same time, there is still no clear answer as to whether this strike was an attempt to directly target any high-ranking Western politicians.
Peter Dickinson, an expert on the Russia-Ukraine conflict at the Atlantic Council, suggested that Moscow’s goal may have been to intimidate Western politicians and other high-ranking visitors to Ukraine.
“Boris Johnson was one of dozens of high-ranking officials who were leaving Ukraine via that railway line at that very time,” Dickinson said.
According to him, the attack may not have been an assassination attempt, but rather a “warning shot” intended to frighten foreign officials and convince them of the dangers of traveling to Ukraine. The expert said:
“This is a classic example of [Russian leader Vladimir] Putin’s gangster tactics.”
He added that Moscow may be trying to intimidate its opponents with threats and overt acts of violence.
The “diplomatic train” may have been the target
Ukrzaliznytsia provided details of the incident. According to the company, a diplomatic train was at the Yagodyn station shortly before the locomotive collision on the border between Ukraine and Poland.
“On board were security advisers from several EU member states and former European leaders, including former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson,” the statement said.
Former CIA Director David Petraeus was on another train at the station at that moment.
Ukrainian officials noted that the jet-powered drone that attacked the locomotive had been detected in advance. The order to evacuate the train was given approximately 15 minutes before the collision.
“It is quite possible that the Russian drone’s target was a diplomatic train that departed from the station earlier than scheduled due to a real-time schedule adjustment made in response to the constant threat of Russian strikes,” Ukrainian officials said.
They explained that railway officials are constantly adjusting the schedule to prevent trains from passing through the same sections at precisely the same times, as this makes them potential targets for drones and missiles.
“The enemy continues its numerous attempts at attacks,” the officials added.
Johnson called the strike an attack on a civilian railway
Following the incident, Boris Johnson criticized the Kremlin, stating that the strike targeted civilians and diplomats.
“I don’t know what twisted logic led Putin to blow up a stationary Ukrainian locomotive on the Polish border this morning,” Johnson wrote.
He emphasized that Ukrainians face such attacks on a daily basis, including on civilian railways.
“When are we going to provide them with the air defense they need?” asked the former British prime minister.
Johnson also called for freezing Russian assets and transferring them to Ukraine.
“There is more than 140 billion euros in a Belgian bank account, and about 10 billion pounds sterling in London,” he said.
Moscow had previously threatened the U.K.
The attack came a few weeks after Moscow issued threats against the U.K. over its military support for Ukraine. Russian diplomats claimed that Ukraine’s use of British drones to strike targets deep inside Russian territory constitutes a deliberate escalation of the conflict on London’s part.
“London’s actions will inevitably have consequences for which it will have to answer… The deeper its involvement in the conflict and the greater its support for the Kyiv terrorist machine, the higher the price it will pay,” Russian diplomats said.
Peter Dickinson believes that these threats are part of a broader hybrid war by Russia against Ukraine’s allies in Europe. According to him, Moscow has already resorted to other provocative actions, particularly those involving drones and missiles near the territories of NATO countries.
According to the expert, such actions may be aimed at weakening NATO’s unity, without, however, escalating into a direct, large-scale war with the Alliance.
Peskov stated that strikes could be carried out across all of Ukraine
Following the attack, Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov stated that the Russian military is capable of conducting operations throughout Ukraine:
“Our military has conducted operations throughout Ukraine and will continue to do so.”
Following the strike, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga called on European and North American countries to strengthen their support for Ukraine.
He called Russia’s “barbaric strikes on the border between Ukraine and Poland” “Putin’s terror,” which is “knocking” on the doors of the EU and NATO. Sybiga called on Western nations to tighten sanctions against Russia and increase military aid to Ukraine.
“Act now: apply the full force of sanctions against Putin’s aggressive regime. Make Moscow feel the consequences of its terror,” he said.
Expert Warns of Further Escalation
Dickinson believes that diplomatic measures are insufficient to counter Moscow’s actions. In his view, Ukraine’s allies should step up military support, specifically by providing Ukraine with air defense systems and the necessary weapons: “Russia is now openly threatening NATO and the EU.”
He also warned that, in his view, a lack of response from the West could push Moscow toward further escalation.
“If Western leaders decide to take no action, they will push Putin toward further escalation,” Dickinson stated.
“He will continue to escalate until he faces a decisive response.”
According to him, Moscow may perceive hesitation or calls for compromise as a signal to increase pressure.