‘Greeting From World War II’ - Ukrainian Drone Blasts Russian Assault Armored Train (2025)

Ukrainian forces struck with kamikaze drones a Russian armored train involved in an attempted assault, according to the 152nd Separate Chasseurs Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU).

The brigade shared a video of the strike on Facebook on Saturday, April 19, captioned: “We haven’t shot down a locomotive yet. But everything happens for the first time. The crew of the Asmodeus.”

Footage from the drone’s camera shows it approaching a heavily armored train, outfitted with protective plating similar to that seen on Russian barn-tanks, before flying under the locomotive and detonating.

Kyiv Post could not independently verify the time or location of the footage.

The brigade did not specify where the train was hit or provide further details of the operation.

Based on the video, it appears Ukrainian forces used a Mavic drone equipped with an infrared camera to locate and track the target, followed by a kamikaze drone to carry out the strike.

A Ukrainian aerial reconnaissance officer, speaking to Kyiv Post on condition of anonymity, called the footage “truly unique.” He added that the train was likely operating close to the “zero” front line.

“This is a kind of greeting from World War II,” he said. “Previously, armored trains were used to conduct cannon fire. But in today’s warfare, using a train like this is about as effective as using pack animals on the battlefield.”

The video has already begun circulating widely on Telegram.

Junior Sergeant Stanislav Bunyatov of the 24th Aidar Assault Battalion posted his reaction to the strike: “Have you seen an armored assault train in this war? Then it’s time to look. The fa**ts used the railway to break through our defenses, but it didn’t work out - just a little bit.”

The Ukrainian military-themed Telegram channel “Gruz 200” also posted the footage, commenting: “We haven’t seen such a stupid move in a long time. Without the ability to maneuver, the train was simply f***ed up by FPV drones.”

In recent days, Russia has ramped up its attacks along several fronts - particularly in the Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk regions, employing a new tactic involving large groups of infantry supported by motorcycles and buggies.

On April 17, Ukrainian forces repelled a major Russian assault in the Pokrovsk sector of the Donetsk region, reportedly killing 200 soldiers and destroying a large amount of equipment.

Commander of Ukraine’s National Guard, Oleksandr Pivnenko, said troops from the 14th National Guard Brigade “Chervona Kalyna” fended off a significant mechanized attack involving armored vehicles, motorcycles, and approximately two companies of infantry.

He shared footage of the battle, captioning it: “A few more shots of the enemy’s ‘biker’ assault on the Pokrovsk sector!”

President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed during a Thursday briefing that Russia had prepared a major push near Pokrovsk, and praised Ukrainian troops for successfully holding the line.

Thanks to the combined efforts of the 14th and 117th Brigades, Ukrainian forces reportedly destroyed 115 Russian vehicles - including 96 motorcycles - and inflicted 200 Russian casualties, with 30 more wounded.