In the long overnight journey from Rostov to Moscow, Lokomotiv Moscow and Mexico defender César Montes found themselves travelling through the consequences of a drone attack in the Voronezh region. The squad had played Rostov in the 12th round of the Russian Premier League before boarding a passenger train for the return north.
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Drone debris struck the train near Voronezh during the night, bringing an alarming interruption to Lokomotiv’s trip. No member of the club’s playing squad was injured.
Lokomotiv’s medical staff were reported to have assisted other passengers who had been hurt, while the team later continued towards Moscow.
The club subsequently confirmed that every member of its travelling party had reached the training base safely and that preparations had begun for upcoming Russian Cup and league fixtures.
“All of the club’s departments reacted quickly, effectively and professionally,” Lokomotiv said, while also thanking the Russian Premier League and Fakel’s leadership for their support.
Drone strike affects rail route near Voronezh
The wider overnight attack in the Voronezh region caused significant civilian casualties. Governor Alexander Gusev said two men were killed and 17 people, among them a child, were injured.
A number of those injuries occurred when falling drone wreckage hit the Anapa-to-Moscow passenger train close to Voronezh. One carriage was damaged at Somovo station, where five people were hurt.
The incident also disrupted the railway’s overhead power supply, stopping train movements on the affected stretch of line. For Lokomotiv, the journey ended with the entire squad back in Moscow, but against the sobering backdrop of an attack that reached a major passenger rail corridor.
