Ukraine 'destroys key Russian train' in massive blow to Putin as 'nothing left alive'

A Russian train was reportedly blown up and derailed by Ukrainian saboteurs in a major attack which saw flames tear through the vehicle and thick black smoke billowing into the sky.

Forces are said to have hit an area between Tokmak and Urozhaine in the occupied Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Ukraine, following a Ukrainian military operation. Petro Andryushchenko, former adviser to the mayor of Mariupol, claimed "nothing alive was left" as he announced the attack on Telegram. "Yes. It's burning down. The train. There is no more Russian rail service through occupied Zaporizhzhia," Andryushchenko wrote.

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"Nothing alive was left. Who asked why the Russians were hauling fuel and cars at night? That's why," he added. "To avoid such losses. It didn't work. A unique operation by the Defense Forces of Ukraine. Just great, believe me!"

Images shared to Telegram show the extent of the damage caused, with a huge train covered in flames and dark smoke filling the sky. Ukraine or Russia are yet to make an official comment on the attack.

It is not clear exactly how the blast happened, but the logistics train is said to have become derailed between Urozhayny and Tokmak in Ukraine's south.

It comes after a number of successful operations by Ukraine deep behind enemy lines, most notably in June when more than 100 Ukrainian drones struck air bases deep inside Russia. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the operation, dubbed Spider's Web, took more than 18 months to plan.

This latest attack comes just a day after Russian missiles tore through Zaporizhzhia Cit, killing three people and leaving 20 injured.

While Russian forces control major areas of Zaporizhzhia, Vladimir Putin has reportedly told Donald Trump he would consider freezing the frontline in both Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, in exchange for Ukraine withdrawing from Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

The US President is now arranging to have Zelensky and Putin in the same room within the next two weeks to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine, German chancellor Friedrich Merz said after talks at the White House on Monday.