At least seven killed in Russian train derailment amid unverified reports of explosion

Meduza.io

At least seven people have been reported dead in a derailment of a Moscow-bound passenger train in Russia’s Bryansk region. Another 30, including two children, have been hospitalized, according to Governor Alexander Bogomaz.

The incident occurred near the town of Vygonichi, where a highway bridge reportedly collapsed onto the passing train. In a statement on its Telegram channel, Moscow Railway (a subsidiary of Russian Railways) said the bridge collapsed due to “unlawful interference with transport operations.” At the moment of collapse, a semitruck was driving over the bridge, according to eyewitness photos. The bridge reportedly fell into the train’s path several seconds before the locomotive would have passed underneath, causing the train to ram into the debris.

Unverified reports have circulated on social media claiming that an explosion destroyed the bridge’s support beams. This information appeared on Telegram channels with known links to Russia’s police and national security apparatus, including Baza, SHOT, Mash, and 112. After initially expressing skepticism, the pro-invasion channel Rybar wrote that “theories about a targeted act of sabotage” appear less surprising given reports a day earlier that Russian officials thwarted an alleged terrorist plot in Moscow.

Next week, Russia and Ukraine are expected to continue direct peace talks in Istanbul, following negotiations that resumed in May 2025.