An incident involving the detonation of an explosive device recently occurred on a railway line in the Oryol region during a routine inspection by specialists, resulting in three fatalities. This event is part of a broader series of recent disruptions, which also encompass two distinct train derailments in the Leningrad region and a drone attack targeting the Kirishinefteorgsintez oil refinery, also situated in the Leningrad region.
The death toll from the railway explosion in the Oryol region has sadly climbed to three individuals. Two people lost their lives instantly at the site of the blast, while a third succumbed to their injuries after being hospitalized.
The explosion occurred yesterday when several explosive devices were discovered during a routine check of railway tracks on the Maloarkhangelsk-Glazunovka section, an area situated near the border with the Kursk region.
Official information released by the authorities has been notably sparse. Russian Railways (RZD) confirmed that 17 long-distance trains are currently experiencing significant delays. Tatyana Kurbatova, a journalist based in Oryol, offered additional insights:
According to information from RZD, alternative routes have been organized for long-distance passenger trains. However, the transportation of suburban passengers and `Lastochka` high-speed train passengers is being facilitated by buses. Last night, buses arrived at Glazunovka and Maloarkhangelsk stations, where individuals from `Lastochka` trains transferred to continue their journeys to their final destinations. It is important to note the commendable efforts of local residents, who came to the railway stations with food and water to assist the stranded travelers. They offered help with kind words and open hearts. Due to the delays, passengers waited at the stations for approximately 4.5 hours and were provided with provisions. Regarding yesterday`s incident, regrettably, one injured person has passed away, bringing the total fatalities from the deactivation of these explosive devices, one of which detonated, to three.
The Leningrad region also experienced two distinct railway emergencies. Along the St. Petersburg-Gatchina-Luga route, train cars derailed in two separate locations. In one instance, three wagons of an empty freight train veered off the tracks on the Stroganovo-Mshinskaya section. Governor Alexander Drozdenko indicated that investigators are exploring a possible act of sabotage. This incident has resulted in the closure of traffic in both directions and delays for around ten commuter trains, in addition to the rerouting of two `Lastochka` trains destined for Pskov and Pechory. In a separate occurrence, a locomotive derailed, tragically leading to the death of its driver.
Furthermore, Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles targeted the Kirishinefteorgsintez oil refinery in the Leningrad region. The impact of falling debris initiated a fire, which has since been brought under control, with no casualties reported. The refinery, owned by Surgutneftegaz, serves as a crucial supplier of petroleum products for St. Petersburg, as well as the Leningrad, Novgorod, and Pskov regions.
Andrey Karlov, a correspondent for 47news.ru, provided additional context on both the train derailment and the refinery attack:
Reporter: “It was reported that three wagons of a freight train derailed in the Luzhsky district.”
Karlov: “`Lastochka` trains from Pskov are being diverted, causing some delays. Movement in both directions is quite severely blocked. Judging by the photographs circulated in Telegram channels, the incident occurred in a rural area, quite far from any settlement. The recovery of the tankers and the clearance of the accident site will likely take a considerable amount of time.
Reporter: “What can you tell us about the attack on the refinery?”
Karlov: “Kirishinefteorgsintez is a major, city-forming enterprise for the district. It is, in principle, located in proximity to residential areas. Essentially, the Kirishi refinery functions as a city within a city, an economic and employment center. This is not the first time it has become a target for drones; this marks the third or fourth occasion that drones have flown towards this oil refinery. Previous drone attacks have already impacted its operations on several occasions.”
Reporter: “Is there an understanding of why this is such a desired target?”
Karlov: “Primarily due to its substantial processing and production volumes and its sheer scale. It`s no secret that the Ukrainian Armed Forces are also focused on generating a visual impact – direct hits on tankers and fuel/gas storage facilities inevitably lead to damage that, one way or another, finds its way into social media. This serves as a media effect. The strategic effect, on the other hand, is to cause specific disruptions in logistical supply chains.”
The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that a total of 80 drones were successfully neutralized over various Russian regions during the past night.
Rupert Blackwood 
Clement Ashworth