--- title: "Russian drone strikes train near Polish border; Johnson's train passed earlier" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/conflict/russian-drone-strikes-train-near-polish-border-johnsons-train-passed-earlier" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/russian-drone-strikes-train-near-polish-border-johnsons-train-passed-earlier" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/conflict/russian-drone-strikes-train-near-polish-border-johnsons-train-passed-earlier.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/russian-drone-strikes-train-near-polish-border-johnsons-train-passed-earlier" category: "Conflict & Security" area: "Ukraine" published: "2026-09-13T17:45:53.635Z" source_reported: "2026-09-13T17:19:16.000Z" updated: "2026-09-13T17:45:53.635Z" trust_score: 60 critic_score: 65 hype_score: 45 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-09-13T17:30:34.244453+00:00" --- # Russian drone strikes train near Polish border; Johnson's train passed earlier *Ukrainian railway operator reports diplomatic train was at station shortly before attack.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 60 of 100, higher is better. Central claim attributed to named bodies, with two independent outlets and a named source. - Craft 65 of 100, higher is better. Reporting includes quotes from affected parties and names specific locations and dates. - Hype 45 of 100, lower is better. Headline promises a near miss for Boris Johnson, but the article details a drone strike on a separate train. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - A Russian drone struck a train approximately two kilometres from the Ukrainian-Polish border. - Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and other European officials were on a train that passed through the area shortly before the attack. - The Ukrainian railway operator stated that a diplomatic train was at the station shortly before the attack. - Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned of intensified Russian attacks that could affect Polish territory. A Russian drone struck a train near the Ukrainian-Polish border. Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and other European officials were on a train that passed through the area shortly before the attack, according to reports. The Ukrainian railway operator stated that a diplomatic train was at the station shortly before the attack. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned of intensified Russian attacks that could affect Polish territory. ## Disagreement on who was on which train La Presse reported that former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and former CIA Director David Petraeus were at the Yagodyn station at the time of the attack, with Johnson on one train and Petraeus on another. However, other reports, including from Anadolu Ajansı and Protothema, stated that Johnson and other European officials were on a train that had passed through the area shortly before the attack, and that a diplomatic train was at the station. BBC News and ElNacional.cat also indicated Johnson's train had passed through shortly before the strike. ## What the coverage left out None of the right-rated digests mention the Ukrainian railway operator's statement that a diplomatic train was at the station shortly before the attack. None of the right-rated digests mention the Russian Ministry of Defence's claim that railway infrastructure in western Ukraine is used for transporting military cargo from European countries. ## Who covered it Shares of the 9 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 11% (1) - Centre: 22% (2) - Right: 67% (6) 8 of 17 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-13T17:30:34.244453+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 1 time; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-13T18:00:28.865Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - La Presse, the sole left-rated report, led with the Russian drone strike near the Polish border and the presence of high-ranking personalities, including Boris Johnson and David Petraeus, at the station shortly before the attack. The report detailed statements from the Ukrainian railway operator, Ukrzaliznytsia, describing the attack as "deliberate" and part of a "systemic attack" on rail infrastructure. It also included warnings from Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk about potential escalation affecting Polish territory and remarks from Ukrainian officials about Russian "terror" at the EU and NATO's doorstep. The report noted that Russian defence ministry claims the railway infrastructure in western Ukraine is used for military cargo. It also mentioned that the train was heading to Warsaw and that Polish railway operator PKP Intercity stated the train had 206 passengers and would be delayed by over six hours. The report also included comments from Ukrainian Foreign Minister and Polish Interior Minister. ### Centre - The two centre-rated reports, BBC News and ElNacional.cat, focused on the Russian drone strike near the Polish border and the fact that former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and top European officials had passed through the area shortly before the attack. BBC News quoted Johnson stating, "I don't know what warped logic drove Putin to blow up a stationary Ukrainian locomotive on the Polish border this morning." ElNacional.cat mentioned that former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt and German authorities were also travelling in the convoy. ### Right - The six right-rated reports primarily highlighted former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's reaction to the drone strike. EADaily and news-pravda.com reported that Johnson demanded the unfreezing of Russian assets after the attack. Anadolu Ajansı quoted Johnson stating, "The Ukrainians are going to win - that much was clear from the last three days in their wonderful country." Protothema and Korrespondent.net focused on the attack itself, noting that Johnson and European officials had passed through shortly before, with Korrespondent.net mentioning the company does not rule out that the strike could have been directed at a diplomatic train. Dagelijksestandaard.nl and welingelichtekringen.nl (though unrated, its digest was used by the right-rated outlet) reported that Polish Prime Minister Tusk blamed Russia for escalation following the attack on the train to Poland. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - veryLow: 1 - low: 1 - mixed: 3 - high: 3 - unknown: 9 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [welingelichtekringen.nl](https://welingelichtekringen.nl/samenleving/tusk-verwijt-rusland-escalatie-na-aanval-op-trein-naar-polen) — Tusk Blames Russia for Escalation After Attack on Train to Poland - [dagelijksestandaard.nl](https://dagelijksestandaard.nl/nieuws/tusk-verwijt-rusland-escalatie-na-aanval-op-trein-naar-polen) — Tusk Blames Russia for Escalation After Attack on Train to Poland - [EADaily](https://eadaily.com/ru/news/2026/09/13/ikotka-posle-ataki-geraney-dzhonson-potreboval-razmorozit-rossiyskie-aktivy) — Ikotka After the Geraney Attack: Johnson Demanded the Unfreezing of Russian Assets - [Klix](https://klix.ba/vijesti/svijet/rusija-pogodila-voz-nedugo-nakon-sto-su-prugom-prosli-bivsi-britanski-premijer-i-visoki-evropski-zvanicnici/260913097) — Russia Hit the Train Shortly After the Former British Prime Minister and High-Ranking European Officials Passed Through the Railway - [Haberler](https://haberler.com/guncel/rusya-nin-eski-ingiltere-basbakani-johnson-in-20234011-haberi) — Russia Reportedly Struck a Ukrainian Train Minutes After Former British Prime Minister Johnson Passed Through. - [Presse-fotos.dk](https://presse-fotos.dk/boris-johnson-med-opsigtsvaekkende-ukraine-opraab-hvornaar-vil-vi-give-dem-det-de-har-brug-for) — Boris Johnson with Startling Ukraine Appeal: "When Will We Give Them What They Need?" - [Anadolu Ajansı](https://aa.com.tr/en/world/former-uk-premier-calls-for-unfreezing-russian-assets-after-evacuating-train-over-drone-strike/4056094) — Former UK Premier Calls for Unfreezing Russian Assets After Evacuating Train over Drone Strike - [ieidiseis.gr](https://ieidiseis.gr/kosmos/865707/rosiko-drone-chtypise-treno-sta-oykranopolonika-synora-ligo-noritera-eiche-perasei-amaxostoichia-me-eyropaioys-axiomatoychoys-kai-ton-tzonson) — Russian Drone Hits Train on Ukrainian-Polish Border - A Train Carrying European Officials and Johnson Had Passed by Shortly Before - [BBC News](https://bbc.com/news/articles/cy5zg41dkqwo) — Russia struck train near Poland border shortly after Boris Johnson and top European officials passed through - [ElNacional.cat](https://elnacional.cat/ca/internacional/boris-johnson-esquiva-minuts-atac-rus-contra-tren-viatjava-darrere-seu-ucraina_1694566_102.html) — Boris Johnson Narrowly Avoids a Russian Attack on a Train Traveling Behind His in Ukraine - [Korrespondent.net](https://korrespondent.net/ukraine/4911355-v-ukrzaliznytsi-prokommentyrovaly-udar-po-poezdu-na-hranytse) — At Ukrzalzalzik, We Commented on the Attack on the Border Train. - [Protothema](https://protothema.gr/world/article/1878191/kinduneuse-o-boris-tzonson-rosiko-drone-eplixe-treno-sta-oukranopolonika-sunora-liga-lepta-meta-ti-dieleusi-tis-dikis-) — Russian Drone Hits Train on Ukrainian-Polish Border: A Few Minutes Earlier, a Train Carrying Boris Johnson and European Officials Had Passed, Video - [L'Informateur.](https://qactus.fr/2026/09/13/ukraine-boris-johnson-decryptage-de-lincident-ferroviaire-pourquoi-les-hauts-responsables-europeens-nont-pas-ete-touches) — Ukraine: Boris Johnson: Decryption of the Rail Incident, Why Top European Officials Were Not Hit - The Informer - [news-pravda.com](https://news-pravda.com/world/2026/09/13/2588577.html) — Boris Johnson: after the train incident, he called for the withdrawal of Russian frozen assets: - [Tribune.gr](https://tribune.gr/world/news/article/955303/ktypima-rosikon-drones-stin-oykrania-molis-2-chlm-apo-ta-synora-tis-polonias-synagermos-sto-treno-toy-mporis-tzonson.html) — Russian Drone Strike in Ukraine, Just 2 Km From the Polish Border – Alarm on Boris Johnson's Train - [WTX News](https://wtxnews.com/boris-johnson-comments-on-russian-drone-strike-near-train-he-boarded-in-ukraine) — Boris Johnson comments on Russian drone strike near train he boarded in Ukraine - [La Presse](https://lapresse.ca/international/europe/2026-09-13/frappe-russe-contre-un-train/des-personnalites-de-haut-rang-presentes-a-la-gare-peu-de-temps-avant-l-attaque.php) — Russian Strike Against a Train! High-Ranking Personalities Present at the Station "a Short Time" Before the Attack ## Questions **What happened near the Ukrainian-Polish border?** A Russian drone struck a train approximately two kilometres from the Ukrainian-Polish border. Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and other European officials had travelled on a train that passed through the area shortly before the attack. **Who was on the train that was struck?** Reports vary on who was on the train. La Presse stated that former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and former CIA Director David Petraeus were at the station at the time of the attack. Other reports indicate Johnson and European officials were on a train that had passed through the area shortly before the strike. **What did Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk say about the incident?** Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned of an intensification of Russian attacks in Ukraine in the coming weeks, stating that this escalation could also affect Polish territory. He presided over an emergency meeting following the drone attacks near the Polish border. **What was Boris Johnson's reaction to the attack?** Boris Johnson commented on the attack, questioning the logic behind it and calling for increased support for Ukraine. Some reports stated he demanded the unfreezing of Russian assets following the incident. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/conflict/russian-drone-strikes-train-near-polish-border-johnsons-train-passed-earlier. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Russian drone strikes train near Polish border; Johnson's train passed earlier", https://mediabias.news/conflict/russian-drone-strikes-train-near-polish-border-johnsons-train-passed-earlier