President Emmanuel Macron spoke out strongly following a Russian drone strike on a passenger train in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, calling the attack “unacceptable” and reaffirming France’s commitment to supporting Ukraine.
“I have just spoken with President @ZelenskyyUa,” Macron tweeted. “Yesterday’s attack on a passenger train in the Kharkiv region is unacceptable. France condemns in the strongest possible terms the Russian strikes against civilians and against energy infrastructure.”
J’ai échangé à l’instant avec le Président @ZelenskyyUa.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) January 28, 2026
L’attaque d’hier contre un train de passagers dans la région de Kharkiv est inacceptable.
La France condamne avec la plus grande fermeté les frappes russes contre les civils et contre les infrastructures énergétiques.…
“I have just spoken with President Zelenskyy. Yesterday’s attack on a passenger train in the Kharkiv region is unacceptable. France condemns in the strongest possible terms the Russian strikes against civilians and against energy infrastructure. Faced with the urgency of the situation, we are mobilizing. Following the G7+ meeting co-chaired by France, generators will be sent to Ukraine to help the population get through the winter. France’s position is clear: we will support Ukraine for as long as necessary, so that it can defend itself and defeat the war of aggression launched by Russia. Ukraine can also count on France within the framework of the Coalition of the Willing. We continue to work to create the conditions for a just and lasting peace that guarantees the security of Ukraine and of Europe. We reviewed the negotiations initiated last week in Abu Dhabi. We agreed that Europeans are meant to be fully involved in the discussions that concern them. France remains equally determined to increase pressure on Russia for as long as it continues to evade peace. We are working on new sanctions at the European level and we will continue our efforts to disrupt the shadow fleet.”
The strike killed at least four people and injured two, according to Ukrainian authorities, with over 200 passengers aboard the train at the time. Eighteen passengers were in the carriage hit directly by one of the drones. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack as a deliberate act of terrorism, emphasizing that Russia’s escalating use of drones and missiles against civilians and energy infrastructure is creating severe humanitarian consequences. Rescue teams continued to search for four missing individuals.
Today, Russia struck a passenger train in the Kharkiv region with attack drones. In any country, a drone strike on a civilian train would be regarded in the same way – purely as an act of terrorism. There would be no doubt about the classification, neither in Europe, nor in… pic.twitter.com/J7UqQV70QG
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) January 27, 2026
Macron’s remarks came amid renewed European and international efforts to aid Ukraine during the harsh winter months. “Faced with the urgency of the situation, we are mobilizing. Following the G7+ meeting co-chaired by France, generators will be sent to Ukraine to help the population get through the winter,” he said.
France reaffirmed its broader support for Ukraine’s defense and sovereignty, stating: “France’s position is clear: we will support Ukraine for as long as necessary, so that it can defend itself and defeat the war of aggression launched by Russia. Ukraine can also count on France within the framework of the Coalition of the Willing.”
Macron also highlighted France’s commitment to participating in diplomatic efforts and sanctions against Russia: “We continue to work to create the conditions for a just and lasting peace that guarantees the security of Ukraine and of Europe. We reviewed the negotiations initiated last week in Abu Dhabi. We agreed that Europeans are meant to be fully involved in the discussions that concern them. France remains equally determined to increase pressure on Russia for as long as it continues to evade peace. We are working on new sanctions at the European level and we will continue our efforts to disrupt the shadow fleet.”
The Kharkiv attack is part of a larger wave of Russian drone and missile strikes targeting energy infrastructure and residential areas, which have worsened electricity and heating shortages during winter. Zelenskyy stressed the importance of coordinated global action to hold Russia accountable, maintain civilian protection, and support Ukraine’s emergency response and defense efforts.
“Any country, a drone strike on a civilian train would be regarded purely as an act of terrorism,” Zelenskyy said. “There is, and can be, no military justification for killing civilians in a train carriage. My condolences to all the families and loved ones.” Macron’s statement underscores the continuing European commitment to Ukraine as Russian attacks intensify and highlights the urgent need for humanitarian aid, international pressure, and military support to counter the aggression.
