Russia is targeting train drivers as part of an increasingly intensive campaign on Ukraine ’s railway system, according to one of Kyiv’s senior ministers. Ukraine ’s rail network, which spreads some 13,000 miles, has become an important symbol of resilience during the war despite repeated attacks throughout the conflict.

An explosion that damaged a Polish railway track en route to Ukraine was an “ unprecedented act of sabotage ”, prime minister Donald Tusk said on Monday. Mr Tusk said that an explosive device had destroyed a section of the track near Mika village, part of a route he said was “ crucially important for delivering aid to Ukraine ”.

Ukraine and Russia now make millions of drones every year, and need more people to build and fly them. Kyiv created a new branch of its military for drone warfare last year – the Unmanned Systems Forces – which is now looking to recruit 15,000 new members, including pilots, electronics specialists, programmers and project managers.

Air defense topped the agenda at talks between Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and France's Emmanuel Macron. And a Russian drone attack on Ukraine's Odesa region has caused fires at port and energy facilities.