UNECHA, Russia — A tragic drone strike on a railway station in the town of Unecha, located in Russia’s western Bryansk region, has claimed the lives of three railroad workers.

The incident occurred on Thursday, May 21, 2026, when a switcher locomotive was targeted by an incoming drone. The attack, which took place approximately 60 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, struck the transport infrastructure facility while the employees were on duty.

In a rare move, the state-owned Russian Railways (RZhD) publicly identified the victims of the strike, confirming they were all company employees. The deceased were train driver Evgeny Kozhanov, his assistant Vyacheslav Kharitonchik, and repair technician Daniil Kharitonchik.

The company revealed a particularly heartbreaking detail: Vyacheslav Kharitonchik and the youngest victim, Daniil Kharitonchik, were father and son. According to RZhD statements, the youngest victim was born in 2007.

The Bryansk region, which shares a border with Ukraine, has become a frequent target for drone strikes as the ongoing conflict between the two nations enters its fifth year. Acting regional governor Yegor Kovalchuk confirmed the attack on the town of Unecha, noting that emergency and operational services were immediately deployed to the site.

While initial reports from some local sources suggested a lower casualty count, Russian Railways later confirmed that three individuals died in the attack.

In its statement, RZhD expressed deep condolences for the "irreplaceable loss" and pledged to provide the families of the victims with all necessary financial and emotional support.

The attack on the locomotive is part of a broader trend of escalating long-range drone operations by Ukrainian forces, which have significantly increased in frequency and intensity since March 2026.