A TRAIN carrying Russian soldiers and military equipment was blown up by Ukrainians in Melitopol killing several troops. Putin's forces were once again scrambling as Ukrainians maintain a strong resistance in the occupied city of Melitopol in southern Ukraine. On Wednesday, May 18, what was described as a “powerful explosion” that “thundered the city” destroyed a train carrying Russian military personnel and ammunition. Local news outlet RIA Melitopol reported that partisans blew up the armored train used by Russian invaders, by installing explosives on the railway.
The number of injured or dead soldiers that were on board is still unknown.
Following the explosion, a shootout occurred with the news outlet reporting that repetitive shooting sounds from machine guns could be heard.
RIA Melitopol wrote: “The actions of our saboteurs brought the desired result and sowed panic among the invaders.”
Local residents reported that glass in the houses almost flew out, and the walls of the buildings vibrated from the deafening explosion.
The explosion of the armored train was also confirmed by Advisor to the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, Anton Gerashchenko.
In a post on Twitter, Mr Gerashchenko said: “Partisans have blown up the Russian occupier's armoured train in Melitopol.
“An explosive charge detonated under the train car carrying the personnel.
“The railway track is damaged, a number of casualties and fatalities is now being specified.”
Ukrainian sabotage groups are constantly attacking Russian military facilities in the area, as a form of resistance.
Reports claim that today, the Russian commandant’s office in Melitopol was burnt down, following an explosion using a grenade.
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Melitopol mayor Ivan Fedorov during a live broadcast on social media, stated today that Ukrainian military units, partisans and sabotage groups are all partaking in the resistance against the occupier.
Mr Federov threatened that “the earth will burn under the feet of the invaders” and that “the armoured train is just the beginning”.
In an announcement later in the day, the Zaporizhia Regional Military Administration released a statement regarding the explosion of the train.
They said that the railway tracks are in a very bad condition and that the Russian military is operating them at overload, resulting in failures.
However, the administration did not deny the involvement of Ukrainian saboteurs in the explosion, but noted that the ammunition carried in the tracks detonated.
The announcement read: “Recently, the Russian military has not engaged any railroad workers to service the railway access tracks in the temporarily occupied territories.
“At the same time, they continue to operate them with overload, which leads to accelerated wear of the tracks - sometimes they can not withstand the overload and fail.
“Yes, due to such negligence in Melitopol, the tracks were in poor condition.