photo: Serhii Naumovych / Censor.net/Kharkiv Main Station, Ukraine, March 2022
The war in Ukraine has transformed the country beyond recognition. The railway system, often called Ukraine’s "second army," has dramatically evolved. How has the war changed Ukrainian railways?
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Russia’s full-scale invasion, initially framed as a "special military operation," has entered its fourth year. It has resulted in countless human casualties, unquantified material losses, and a breakdown of the previous Euro-Asian geopolitical order. However, one of the most significant transformations has been in Ukraine’s railway network. Known as the "second army of the country," railway workers have earned the title Iron People of Ukraine. Why? In the initial days and weeks of the Russian invasion, the railway played a crucial role in organized evacuations, helping hundreds of thousands reach safety in the West. It is estimated that up to 3.8 million Ukrainian citizens were transported.
Ukrainian Railways: A Pillar of the Economy and Military Logistics
Rail infrastructure has not been spared from attacks, yet it has withstood the war’s challenges and continues to serve its vital function in passenger transport, freight logistics, military operations, and international diplomacy. Foreign delegations still travel to Kyiv by train. The outbreak of war necessitated swift operational changes, leading Ukrainian Railways (UZ) to transition into an emergency regime, effectively becoming a strategic military asset. In addition to regular military transport, UZ introduced the so-called medical trains equipped with intensive care units, providing evacuation and medical care for both soldiers and civilians.
With airports shut down and Black Sea ports gradually rendered inoperative, the railway system has become essential for Ukraine’s economic survival. Grain and other exports have relied heavily on rail, though logistical complications arise from the need to transition between Ukraine’s broad-gauge (1,520 mm) network and the European standard gauge. Despite these challenges, rail exports have surged. In the first half of 2024, rail export volumes increased by 48.8% compared to the same period in 2023. The majority of this traffic consisted of grain, followed by iron and manganese ore.
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EU and Ukraine: Railway Modernization and New Routes to Europe and Asia
The European Union has begun implementing plans to modernize Ukraine’s railway infrastructure, including extending standard-gauge tracks from the EU into Lviv and eventually Kyiv. Lviv is set to become a central railway hub connecting Ukraine’s network to Europe. UZ also plans to launch 18 new freight routes to the EU, funded in part by existing EU infrastructure programs and redirected funds from previously planned connections to Russia’s Kaliningrad and Belarus.
Beyond Europe, Ukraine is also looking to expand rail links into Asia, carefully selecting routes that remain unaffected by the war and Russian interference. Some plans even anticipate a post-war ceasefire. Proposed routes include a ferry link to Georgia’s Poti port, extending through Tbilisi and Baku in Azerbaijan toward Central Asia and China, as well as a corridor running from Tbilisi through Kars, Turkey.
Rail Links from the Czech Republic to Ukraine: A Growing Network
Rail connections between the Czech Republic and Ukraine remain highly popular, with multiple daily services. One of the most prominent operators is RegioJet, which increased its Ukraine-bound routes at the start of the war. Since the launch of the Prague–Przemyśl line on March 1, 2022—established in record time as a response to the war—RegioJet has transported over 550,000 passengers on this route. Initially, the service functioned as a humanitarian rail bridge, organized in partnership with the NGO People in Need. In the first months of the war, it helped thousands of Ukrainian refugees reach safety, offering free travel while transporting critical humanitarian aid on return journeys.
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Sources: uz.gov.ua, RAILTARGET