Over three days, Ukrainian long-range drone strikes have dealt a tangible logistical blow to a rail line linking the military and industrial hubs of Volgograd and Rostov-on-Don. Preliminary analysis points to the destruction of traction substations and fuel tanks. 🧵Thread:
2/ The strikes have repeatedly targeted infrastructure along the rail line, which serves both industry and the supply of Russian forces, including those in Donetsk and Luhansk. The pattern points to a deliberate and systematic effort to disrupt the route
3/ Video uploaded by residents of Orlovskiy shows the local traction substation "Dvoynaya", which powers the railway movement, engulfed in flames. We've geolocated the site and assess it's likely to remain temporarily out of service. Coordinates:
4/ Another drone strike hit a train with fuel tanks in Salsk, a railway hub in Russia’s Rostov Oblast. The strike triggered intense flames and thick black smoke, likely disrupting rail traffic in the area for an extended period. Coordinates: 46.468951, 41.542977
5/ On July 27, Ukrainian drone strikes destroyed another traction substation, in Zhutovo, Volgograd Oblast, causing major disruptions, delays, and rerouting. More details in my other thread:
6/ The substation wasn’t the only target that day. A nearby building at the railway station was also completely destroyed. Based on our analysis of its location, exterior, and visible equipment, the structure was likely a signal control station
7/ We previously noted that this railway line is important due to its links to major military-industrial sites and installations, including airfields. At the same time, it’s neither the largest nor the only line in the area, suggesting deeper intent behind the strikes
8/ Overall, our team notes a systematic approach with deliberate target selection. The strike on the fuel-carrying train suggests Ukraine had detailed intelligence to time the attack precisely. We’ll keep updating this thread as more information emerges.
9/ Thank you for reading. We’re operating with a critical shortage of hands, which has slowed us down. Still, we continue to track all developments and conduct multiple investigations. To help us keep going, consider supporting our work via BuyMeACoffee:
buymeacoffee.com/frontelligence
Share this Scrolly Tale with your friends.
A Scrolly Tale is a new way to read Twitter threads with a more visually immersive experience.
Discover more beautiful Scrolly Tales like this.