It’s a scene many of us have seen on our screens: world leaders arriving in Kyiv, not by plane, but by train. The overnight journey, cloaked in secrecy and high security, has become a symbol of Ukraine's unwavering spirit. When US President Biden made his historic visit, his train was famously dubbed "Rail Force One," a testament to the vital role Ukrainian Railways, or Ukrzaliznytsia, plays.
With commercial air travel impossible due to the ongoing conflict, the country's rail network has transformed into its diplomatic highway. Over 200 foreign diplomatic missions have made their way to Ukraine by train, with leaders from Canada, the UK, France, and Italy all opting for this secure route. Even Ukraine's own President Zelensky frequently uses the railway for his international engagements.
But the significance of Ukraine's railways extends far beyond high-profile visits. At nearly 15,000 miles, it's the 12th largest rail network globally, and Ukrzaliznytsia ranks among the top global operators for both passenger and freight transport. First established in pre-Soviet times, the network is predominantly broad gauge, a difference from the standard gauge common in much of Europe. While cross-border links to Russia have been severed, Ukraine has been actively rebuilding connections with neighboring countries like Moldova, Poland, and Romania, repairing infrastructure at 11 border crossings.
This isn't just about passenger convenience; it's crucial for the global supply chain. Ukraine's agricultural produce, particularly grain, is vital for many nations. In 2022 alone, the railways transported 28.9 million tons of grain for export, contributing to nearly 60 million tons of total goods exported. For domestic travel, especially for those needing to traverse the large country, the long-distance sleeper services have become indispensable. As Ukrzaliznytsia's CEO Alexander Kamyshin noted, "Before the war, we had planes, cars, buses and trains. Now we’ve got trains and cars, no airplanes. And we’re a large country. So to get from Kyiv to west, south or east Ukraine, sleeper trains are the best way to do it. You go to the train in the late evening, travel the whole night, and in the morning you are in the city you need to be. So you don’t waste time. It was comfortable before the war, and now it’s comfortable and safe. Trains are very important."
Beyond diplomacy and commerce, the railways have been a lifeline for countless civilians. Ukrzaliznytsia helped four million people reach safety in 2022, with a quarter of them being children. Some trains were even repurposed as mobile medical facilities, evacuating around 2,500 civilians for treatment. The network also played a critical role in distributing nearly 336,000 tons of humanitarian aid.
Even amidst the devastation, the resilience of Ukrainian Railways is evident. A poignant reminder of the human cost of the conflict was the unveiling of a memorial plaque at Kyiv's central station on February 24, 2023. It honors 353 railway workers who lost their lives during the first year of the invasion. These stones and plaques, common across the world to mark rail history, now stand as solemn tributes to the dedication and sacrifice of those who kept Ukraine moving, even in its darkest hours.
