Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson narrowly avoided a drone attack in Ukraine after a Russian drone struck a passenger train close to the route he was travelling on near the Polish border.

The Boris Johnson drone attack scare happened on Sunday as the former prime minister travelled by train from Kyiv towards Poland. A separate passenger train at Yahodyn station was hit shortly after Johnson’s train had departed.

No casualties were reported, but the incident has raised concerns over the increasing reach of Russian drone attacks in western Ukraine and the potential threat to NATO territory.

What happened in the Boris Johnson drone attack?

Boris Johnson was travelling overnight from Kyiv to Poland when Russian drones targeted infrastructure close to the Ukrainian-Polish border.

Ukrainian Railways said the train carrying Johnson had left Yahodyn station earlier than scheduled because railway timetables were being changed in response to the continuing threat of Russian strikes.

A second passenger train was then targeted at Yahodyn station. The train was evacuated as the drone approached, and no passengers were reported injured.

Ukrainian Railways said it was quite possible that the drone had been aimed at the train carrying Boris Johnson.

However, there has been no confirmed evidence that Johnson himself was the intended target.

Who was travelling with Boris Johnson?

Johnson was reportedly travelling with several senior European figures following meetings in Kyiv.

The group included Jonathan Powell, the UK’s national security adviser, former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt and Gunter Sautter, an adviser to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

The delegation had reportedly been in Kyiv for discussions with Ukrainian officials about potential peace negotiations with Russia.

The attack occurred as the group was travelling towards Poland, highlighting the security risks facing officials and civilians travelling through Ukraine during the ongoing war.

Boris Johnson responds to Russian drone attack

Following the incident, Boris Johnson condemned the attack and described it as an example of the dangers Ukrainian civilians face every day.

The former prime minister questioned the reasoning behind the Russian strike and highlighted the risks faced by Ukrainian railway workers and passengers.

Johnson also praised railway staff for continuing to operate services despite repeated Russian attacks on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure.

The former prime minister said that approximately 1,700 Ukrainian railway employees had been killed during the conflict.

Russia accused of escalating attacks near Poland

The Boris Johnson drone attack has prompted renewed warnings about Russian military activity close to Poland.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Russian strikes were moving increasingly close to NATO and European Union territory.

Poland is both an EU member and a NATO member, making attacks near the country’s border particularly sensitive.

Sybiha warned that Russian aggression was effectively reaching the doorstep of the EU and NATO.

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski also accused Russia of expanding its campaign against European countries.

According to Sikorski, Russian activity has included cyberattacks, disinformation and espionage, as well as alleged arson incidents, aviation-related operations and attempts to disrupt railway infrastructure.

He described the developments as an escalation in Russia’s activities across Europe.

Another attack reported near the Ukraine-Poland border

The Russian drone attack involving the train came after another incident close to the Ukrainian border with Poland.

A truck less than a mile from the border was reportedly hit earlier on Sunday, temporarily disrupting operations at the Dorohusk-Yahodyn crossing.

The crossing is an important route between Ukraine and Poland, making any attack in the area particularly significant for regional security.

Russia’s defence ministry said its forces had targeted infrastructure involved in transporting military supplies from Europe into Ukraine.

Why are Russian drone attacks increasing?

The latest drone attack in Ukraine comes as Russia and Ukraine continue to intensify long-range strikes.

Although the frontline has remained relatively static in several areas, both sides have increasingly targeted infrastructure far behind the battlefield.

Russia has repeatedly attacked Ukrainian energy, transport and other infrastructure, while Ukraine has stepped up drone strikes against targets inside Russia.

The long-range attacks are part of wider efforts by both countries to disrupt military logistics, damage critical infrastructure and influence the direction of the war.

The incident involving Johnson demonstrates how the risks associated with the conflict can extend well beyond the main frontline.

Trump calls on Ukraine to stop attacking Russian refineries

The incident also comes as US President Donald Trump urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to stop targeting Russian diesel facilities and oil refineries.

Trump said attacks on Russian energy infrastructure were contributing to fuel shortages and putting pressure on diesel prices.

Ukraine has launched a series of drone attacks against Russian oil refineries in recent months. The strikes have affected fuel production and contributed to shortages in some parts of Russia.

Kyiv argues that Russian energy infrastructure can be a legitimate military target when it supports Russia’s war effort.

Ukraine has also repeatedly faced Russian attacks against its own energy infrastructure.

What does the Boris Johnson drone attack mean for Europe?

The Boris Johnson drone attack scare has renewed concerns about the potential for the Russia-Ukraine war to create wider security risks for Europe.

The strike did not result in casualties and did not hit the train carrying Johnson. However, the proximity of the incident to Poland has increased attention on the security of Ukraine’s western border.

For European governments, attacks close to NATO territory are particularly concerning because of the possibility that future incidents could cross international borders or cause wider disruption.

The incident also demonstrates the continuing danger faced by people travelling through Ukraine, including foreign officials and diplomats.

Key takeaways

• Boris Johnson narrowly avoided a drone attack in Ukraine while travelling by train from Kyiv towards Poland.
• A separate passenger train was struck by a Russian drone at Yahodyn station near the Polish border.
• No casualties were reported following the attack.
• Ukrainian Railways said it was possible the drone had been targeting Johnson’s train.
• Senior European officials were travelling with Johnson following meetings in Kyiv.
• Ukraine and Poland have warned about the increasing security threat posed by Russian attacks near NATO territory.
• Russia said it had targeted infrastructure connected to military supplies entering Ukraine.
• Donald Trump has urged Ukraine to stop attacking Russian oil refineries and diesel facilities.