Russian drone hit a passenger train, 1 killed and 7 injured

A commuter passenger train in the Kryvyi Rih district of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast was struck by a Russian drone on March 2, killing one person and injuring seven others, regional officials said.

Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Governor Oleksandr Hanzha reported that the attack hit transport infrastructure, sparking a fire. One of the wounded later died in hospital.

Among the seven injured were two children — a 10-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy. Five people remain hospitalized in moderate condition.

Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Kuleba said the drone struck a car of a moving suburban train operated by Ukrzaliznytsia, describing it as another attack on civilian rail transport.

The strike is the second reported attack on a passenger train since Jan. 27, when a train in Kharkiv Oblast was hit. Ukrainian Railways previously said Russia escalated attacks on rail infrastructure in July 2025, targeting key junctions used for civilian travel and military logistics.

We are not discussing swapping small border areas for Donbas in talks - Zelensky

President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine is not discussing any trade of border areas for territory in Donetsk Oblast as part of negotiations with Russia.

Speaking to journalists, Zelensky dismissed suggestions that Kyiv might swap Ukrainian-controlled parts of Donbas for areas in Sumy or Kharkiv oblasts that have been seized by Russian forces.

“We cannot compare these lands,” he said, noting that border areas are difficult for Russian troops to hold and could eventually be retaken by Ukraine. Donbas, however, remains a strategic objective for Moscow. “Their appetite has decreased slightly, but only for now,” he added.

Zelensky stressed that Ukraine is not considering exchanging smaller border territories in Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts for the much larger and strategically significant Donbas region.

Putin is in no hurry to save Iran and more concerned about oil prices - Ukraine's FM

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has pointed out that Russia is not coming to Iran’s aid militarily, even though the two countries are officially allies, in comments on social media. He said Moscow has been noticeably absent while Iran’s regime faces pressure following U.S. and Israeli strikes, suggesting President Vladimir Putin appears more focused on economic interests like rising oil prices than on supporting Tehran at this critical moment.

Sybiha noted that Russia and Iran signed a 20-year strategic partnership treaty in 2025 and that Tehran has deepened defence cooperation with other Russian partners, yet Moscow has not taken significant action to defend Iran after recent attacks. He argued this reflects a pattern in which Russia fails to back its partners when they most need help, saying the fall of leaders like Syria’s Bashar al-Assad, Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro, and Iran’s Ali Khamenei show Russia’s reliability as an ally is declining.

His comments underline Ukraine’s broader view that cooperation between Moscow and Tehran — including Iran’s supply of Shahed drones to Russian forces in Ukraine — represents a violation of international law, even as Russia’s response to the U.S.-Israel strikes has been limited mainly to official condemnations rather than material support.

How the US and Israel's war against Iran may benefit Russia

The new conflict in the Middle East is capable of diverting the West's attention from Ukraine, increasing oil prices, and strengthening Russia's position both politically and economically.

The new ongoing war initiated by the USA, and Israel against Iran, despite removing one of Moscow’s key allies in the Middle East from the equation, may ultimately work to the Kremlin’s advantage.

For years, the Kremlin has argued that global politics is shaped not by rules but by force. If Washington justifies strikes on Iran on security grounds, Moscow can point to this as validation of its own narrative regarding Ukraine. In the Russian view, major powers act decisively to defend what they define as their interests, even when facing criticism. Such developments may help the Kremlin reinforce its messaging on the international stage.

The escalation in the Middle East also diverts U.S. diplomatic and military attention. Managing multiple crises simultaneously can strain political resources and slow momentum elsewhere. In practical terms, this could complicate negotiations related to Ukraine or reduce the level of sustained pressure on Moscow. Shifting global focus may, at least temporarily, benefit Russia.

Economically, rising tensions in the region cause clear implications for energy markets. Concerns over disruptions to oil supplies — particularly through strategic routes such as the Strait of Hormuz — have already pushed prices upward by 14 percent. Higher global oil prices traditionally translate into increased revenue for Russia, even under sanctions. Stronger demand from major buyers such as India and China could further cushion Moscow from economic pressure.

At the same time, prolonged conflict may test unity among Western allies. Differences in how European governments respond to U.S. actions could widen existing policy gaps. Any weakening of transatlantic cohesion would align with one of Russia’s long-term strategic goals.

Of course, there are risks for Moscow as well. Iran has been an important military partner, including in the supply of equipment used in the war against Ukraine. A weakened Tehran could complicate that cooperation and reduce Russia’s leverage in the region. The situation remains fluid, and while some outcomes may benefit the Kremlin, others could introduce new uncertainties.