A deadly explosion at a railway station in the northern Ukrainian city of Ovruch left four people dead, including the attacker, and injured twelve others on Friday.

According to initial police reports, the blast occurred around 10:50 a.m. local time at the Ovruch train platform in Zhytomyr Oblast. A 23-year-old man from Kharkiv allegedly detonated a grenade while State Border Guard officers were checking passengers’ documents aboard a diesel train.

Three women aged 29, 58, and 82 were killed instantly, along with one border guard. The attacker also died from his injuries shortly after the explosion.

Emergency medical services dispatched six teams to the scene, and the injured were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. Authorities said several victims remained in critical condition.

Preliminary findings indicated that the attacker had recently been detained for attempting to cross Ukraine’s western border illegally. Investigators are working to determine the motive behind the attack and whether it had any broader connections.

Law enforcement and explosives experts continue to examine the site, collecting forensic evidence and ensuring the area is secure. Police have increased patrols and tightened security at other transportation hubs across the region.

Zhytomyr Oblast, located west of Kyiv and bordering Belarus to the north, holds strategic significance due to its key transport routes linking the capital to western Ukraine. Officials have urged citizens to remain calm as investigations continue into the motives and background of the perpetrator. (ILKHA)