Ukrainian Railways facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

This page is about the Ukrainian railway company. For an overview of rail transport in Ukraine, see Rail transport in Ukraine.

Quick facts for kids
PAT 'Ukrzaliznytsia'
*ПАТ "Укрзалізниця (УЗ)"*

Type	Public joint-stock company
Industry	Railway transportation, Railway infrastructure, intermodal freight transport
Founded	1991
Headquarters	5 Jerzy Giedroyc Street [uk], Kyiv, Ukraine, 03680
Number of locations	1,700 stations and halts
Area served	Ukraine
Key people	Oleksandr Pertsovskyi (CEO)
Products	Rail transport services (passenger & cargo)
Revenue	₴20.06 billion (2017)
Net income	₴203.8 million (2018)
Owner	Government of Ukraine (100%)
Number of employees	191,700 (2023)
Parent	Ministry of Infrastructure
Divisions	6 branches (Kyiv, Donetsk, Lviv, Odesa, Kharkiv, Dnipro)

Ukrzaliznytsia (pronounced "Ook-rah-zah-leez-NYT-syah") is Ukraine's national railway company. It is owned by the government and manages almost all train travel and railway lines in the country. Ukrzaliznytsia is one of the biggest railway companies in the world. It ranks sixth for carrying passengers and seventh for moving goods.

As of 2020, Ukraine's main railway network was about 19,787 kilometers long. This makes it the 13th largest railway network globally. Most of its tracks are "broad-gauge," which means they are wider than standard tracks. Ukraine is also building more "standard-gauge" tracks. This will help connect its railway system better with countries in the European Union.

In 2015, Ukrzaliznytsia changed from a government agency to a public company. It is still fully owned by the state. The company works under the Ministry of Infrastructure. It has six regional railway companies that manage all train services and maintenance. The company employs over 191,700 people across Ukraine.

During the 2022 conflict, Ukrzaliznytsia kept running trains. It helped millions of people leave cities and the country safely. Some railway links to Russia were destroyed to stop their use by the military. However, trains continued to operate within Ukraine and to neighboring countries. These included Poland, Hungary, Moldova, and Slovakia. An old railway line to Poland was quickly rebuilt. Other lines, previously only for cargo, were opened for passengers. The railway helped over two million people evacuate. When some Black Sea ports became unsafe for grain export, trains became a key way to send grain to Europe.

How Ukrzaliznytsia is Organized
Trains and Equipment
Types of Passenger Trains
Science and Education
Leaders of Ukrzaliznytsia
- Presidents and General Directors
- Board Directors
See also

How Ukrzaliznytsia is Organized

Financial Overview

Ukrzaliznytsia is a very important company for Ukraine's economy. In 2017, it was one of the most profitable companies in the country. It earned about ₴74 billion (Ukrainian Hryvnia) that year.

How the Company is Managed

Subdivisions of Ukrainian Railways

The railway system is divided into six regional companies. These are Donetsk, Lviv, Odesa, Southern, South-Western, and Cisdnieper. These divisions are mainly for management and do not always match the actual train lines. Their names come from old times, like the Russian and Austro-Hungarian Empires. For example, the 'South-Western Railway' actually covers the north-central part of Ukraine. The 'Southern Railway' operates in the east.

Each of these six regional railways has its own main office. These offices are in the following cities:

Donetsk Railway – Lyman (This is a temporary office because Donetsk is not under Ukrainian control.)
Lviv Railway – Lviv
Odesa Railway – Odesa
Southern Railway – Kharkiv
Southwestern Railway – Kyiv
Cisdnieper Railway – Dnipro

Since 2014, the Crimean Railways division is no longer managed by Ukraine. In February 2025, a Ukrainian government group suggested that the names "Southwestern" and "Southern Railways" should be changed. They said these names are linked to old imperial policies and go against a law about decolonization.

Changes and Improvements

Ukrzaliznytsia has faced some challenges from its past. The company is working on reforms to make its services better and more open.

New Railway Laws

A new law called "On Railway Transport of Ukraine" was created. This law helps Ukraine's railway rules match those in the European Union. It explains the duties of the railway operator, train companies, and track owners. It also sets rules for managing the railway system and for train safety. This law helps make train travel safer and allows for more competition in the railway market. Experts from Europe supported this law, seeing it as a key step for real changes in the industry.

Reorganizing Ukrzaliznytsia

The company is being reorganized into different parts. This means creating separate groups for freight (cargo), passengers, production, and infrastructure. This change helps make sure money flows are clear within the company. It also improves how each part of the business is managed. This reorganization prepares Ukrzaliznytsia for new private companies to join the railway market.

Trains and Equipment

Ukrainian-made electric DS3 locomotive

Ukrainian-made DPKr-3 Diesel Multiple Unit

Ukrzaliznytsia has several factories that can repair and build locomotives and train cars. There are also other factories in Ukraine, like Kryukiv Railcar Engineering Factory and Dnieper Railcar Engineering. These factories also build trains for Ukrzaliznytsia and other companies.

In 2010, Ukrzaliznytsia decided to buy 10 fast trains from Hyundai Rotem. These trains were called Inter City+ and started running in 2012. They connect major cities like Kyiv, Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Lviv. Later, they also connected to Dnipro and Odesa.

In 2017, Ukrzaliznytsia and GE Transportation started a partnership. They planned to update the train fleet over seven years. This included getting 30 new locomotives in 2018. About 40% of these were made in Ukraine.

Locomotives

Class	Type	Number	Manufacturer	Constructed	Notes
2EL4	Electric locomotive	6	Luhanskteplovoz	2009-2013
2EL5	Electric locomotive	20	Luhanskteplovoz	2005-
2ES5K	Electric locomotive	15	Novocherkassk Electric Locomotive Plant	2004
ChS2	Electric locomotive	111	Škoda Works	1958-1976
ChS4	Electric locomotive	150	Škoda Works	1963-1972
ChS7	Electric locomotive	27	Škoda Works	1983-1989
ChS8	Electric locomotive	36	Škoda Works	1983–89
DE1	Electric locomotive	40	NPO DEVZ	1997–2008
DS3	Electric locomotive	16	GP NPK	2003–08
VL8	Electric locomotive	~200	Novocherkassk Electric Locomotive Plant	1953–67	Some were damaged during the 2022 conflict.
VL10	Electric locomotive	~240	Novocherkassk Electric Locomotive Plant	1961–1989
VL11	Electric locomotive	112	Tbilisi electric locomotive builder plant	1975-1978
VL40^U	Electric locomotive	6	Zaporizhzhia Electric Locomotive Plant	2004
VL60	Electric locomotive		Novocherkassk Electric Locomotive Plant	1957-1967
VL80	Electric locomotive		Novocherkassk Electric Locomotive Plant	1961-1995
VL82	Electric locomotive		Novocherkassk Electric Locomotive Plant	1966-1979
2TE116	Diesel-electric locomotive		Luhanskteplovoz	1971-2015
2ТЕ121	Diesel-electric locomotive	76	Luhanskteplovoz	1978-1992
M62	Diesel-electric locomotive		Luhanskteplovoz	1965-1990
2M62	Diesel-electric locomotive		Luhanskteplovoz	1976-1990
TEP70	Diesel-electric locomotive		Kolomna Locomotive Works	1973
TEP150	Diesel-electric locomotive	4	Luhanskteplovoz	2005
TE33A	Diesel-electric locomotive	70	General Electric Transportation/JSC Lokomotiv	2019-
ChME3	Diesel-electric shunting locomotive		ČKD	1963-1994
TEM2	Diesel-electric shunting locomotive		Bryansk and Luhansk Locomotive Works	1967–1987
TEM18	Diesel-electric shunting locomotive		Bryansk and Luhansk Locomotive Works	1992-
TEM103	Diesel-electric shunting locomotive	1	Electrotyazhmash	2005
TGK2	Diesel-hydraulic shunting locomotive		Kaluga Machine Building Plant	1960-2008
TGM4B	Diesel-hydraulic shunting locomotive		Lyudinovsky Locomotive Plant	1971-1989
TGM6	Diesel-hydraulic shunting locomotive		Lyudinovsky Diesel Locomotive Plant	1966-
TGM23	Diesel-hydraulic shunting locomotive		Murom Diesel Locomotive Plant	1960-
TU2	Diesel-electric locomotive	6	Kaluga Machine Building Plant	1955-1959	Used on narrow gauge lines.
TU7	Diesel-hydraulic locomotive	1	Kambarka Engineering Works	1971	Used on Antonivka narrow gauge line.
ER	Steam locomotive	2	Zegelsky Locomotive Works/Reșița Works	1951	Used for tourist trips.
L	Steam locomotive	1	Luhanskteplovoz	1953	Used for tourist trips.
SU	Steam locomotive	1	Krasnoye Sormovo Factory	1949	Used for tourist trips.
GR	Steam locomotive	1	Lokomotivbau Karl Marx Babelsberg	1951	Used for tourist services on Antonivka narrow gauge line.

Passenger Trains and Railcars

Class	Type	Number	Manufacturer	Constructed	Service
Hyundai Rotem HRCS2	Electric multiple unit	10	Hyundai Rotem	2011–2012	Intercity+
EKr-1	Electric multiple unit	2	Kryukiv Carriage Works	2011–2012	Intercity+
Skoda EJ 675	Electric multiple unit	2	Škoda Transportation	2011–2012	Intercity+
ED2T	Electric multiple unit	3	Demikhovo	1998	Regional
ED4M	Electric multiple unit	1	Demikhovo	2011	Regional
EPL2T	Electric multiple unit	63	Luhanskteplovoz	2000-2008	Suburban
EPL9T	Electric multiple unit	77	Luhanskteplovoz	2001-2008	Suburban
ER1	Electric multiple unit		Rīgas Vagonbūves Rūpnīca	1957-1962	Suburban / Regional
ER2	Electric multiple unit	250+	Rīgas Vagonbūves Rūpnīca	1987-1996, 2000, 2003	Suburban / Regional
ER9	Electric multiple unit		Rīgas Vagonbūves Rūpnīca	1962-1964	Suburban / Regional
ET2	Electric multiple unit	1	Kryukiv Carriage Works	1995	Pivdena Railway
D1	Diesel multiple unit	40+	Ganz Works	1964-1988	Suburban / Regional
DR1	Diesel multiple unit		Rīgas Vagonbūves Rūpnīca	1963-2011	Suburban / Regional
DEL-02	Diesel multiple unit	6	Luhanskteplovoz	2003-2012	Regional
DPKr-2	Diesel multiple unit	1	Kryukiv Railway Car Building Works	2014	Regional
DPKr-3	Diesel multiple unit	6	Kryukiv Railway Car Building Works	2019, 2021	Regional
DPL1	Diesel train	6	Luhanskteplovoz	2007	Regional.
DPL2	Diesel train	6	Luhanskteplovoz	2001–2002	Regional.
RA2	Diesel multiple unit	1	Metrowagonmash	2007	Regional
Pesa 610m	Diesel multiple unit	1	Pesa Bydgoszcz	2004	Used for track inspection and as a mobile command center during the 2022 conflict.
Pesa 620m	Diesel multiple unit	11	Pesa Bydgoszcz	2004–2013	Regional / Kyiv Boryspil Express
Pesa 630m	Diesel multiple unit	2	Pesa Bydgoszcz	2013	Regional
АS1А	Diesel railcar		Velykyluk Locomotive Repair Plant	1964-1980	Used for maintenance and track inspection.
AChO	Diesel railcar	1	Škoda Transportation	1977-1978	Used for track inspection.

Updating the Train Fleet

New Passenger Cars

In 2021, Ukrzaliznytsia planned to buy 100 new passenger cars. These cars were made by the Kryukiv Railway Car Building Works. Also in 2021, the company started using its first trains that are friendly for people with disabilities. These trains have special spaces for wheelchairs.

New Locomotives

In 2018, Ukrzaliznytsia bought 30 new diesel locomotives from General Electric. These were called TE33AC Trident. This was part of a bigger plan to work together for 15 years. The goal was to replace and update more of Ukraine's trains. However, later in 2020, the CEO of Ukrzaliznytsia said they would focus more on electric trains. Electric trains are more efficient.

In 2020, ₴400 million was set aside for urgent locomotive repairs. The Lviv Locomotive Repair Plant received an order to fix 6 electric locomotives. In 2021, Ukrzaliznytsia planned to spend ₴4.7 billion to repair its existing locomotives.

Alstom, a French company, is also interested in helping Ukrzaliznytsia get new locomotives. They might even build some of them in Ukraine. Ukrzaliznytsia is interested in buying 50 electric freight locomotives from Alstom. The French government might help pay for these.

Key Facts and Figures (2020)

Main track length: 19,787 kilometers
Electrified tracks (using electricity): 9,319 kilometers
Number of train stations: 1,402
Number of cargo wagons: 85,200
Number of passenger cars: 3,883 (with 2,681 actively used)
Number of locomotives: 1,944 (1,627 electric, 301 diesel)
Average number of employees: 266,300 people
Passengers carried (2019): 149.6 million
Cargo transported (2019): 312.4 million tonnes

Types of Passenger Trains

Train station in Lviv

In 2011, Ukrzaliznytsia created a new system to classify its passenger trains. This helps passengers understand the level of service and comfort they can expect. The system is based on the type of train and its carriages.

Chernihiv station building and platforms

Here are the different classes of passenger trains:

Daytime Passenger Trains:

* Euro City (EC) – These are fast trains (at least 90 km/h) for international travel. They offer very high comfort and service. They have first and standard classes. * Inter City+ (IC+) – These are also fast trains (at least 90 km/h) for travel within Ukraine. They offer very high comfort and service. They have first and standard classes. These trains are currently operated by Hyundai Rotem trains. They connect Kyiv with cities like Kharkiv, Lviv, Dnipro, and Odesa. There is also an international express train from Kyiv to Przemyśl in Poland. * Inter City (IC) – These trains travel at speeds between 70 km/h and 90 km/h within Ukraine. They offer a good level of service and comfort. They have first, standard, and economy classes. * Regional Express (РЕ) – These trains also travel between 70 km/h and 90 km/h within Ukraine. They offer a standard level of service and comfort. They have first, standard, and economy classes. * Regional train (РП) – These trains travel up to 70 km/h within Ukraine. They offer a standard level of service and comfort. They have standard and economy classes.

Nighttime Passenger Trains:

* Euro Night (EN) – These are fast night trains (at least 90 km/h) for international travel. They offer very high comfort and service. They have sleeping cars with 2 or 4 berths (beds). * Night Express (НЕ) – These night trains travel between 70 km/h and 90 km/h for both international and domestic routes. They offer a good level of service and comfort. They have sleeping cars with 2 or 4 berths, and also "platskarta" (open-plan sleeping cars). * Night fast (НШ) – These night trains travel between 50 km/h and 70 km/h for international and domestic routes. They offer a good level of service and comfort. They have sleeping cars with 2 or 4 berths, and platskarta. * Night passenger (НП) – These night trains travel up to 50 km/h for international and domestic routes. They offer a good level of service and comfort. They have sleeping cars with 4 berths and platskarta.

This new classification system helps passengers easily understand what kind of train they are taking. It also matches the train classification used in the European Union.

Science and Education

Railway Transport of Ukraine
Залізничний транспорт України
Zalìzničnij transport Ukraïni
Publication details

Discipline	Railway engineering
Language	Original language
Edited by	Serhiy Vitaliyovych Myamlin
Publisher	Rail Transport Scientific and Engineering Institute (branch of JSC Ukrzaliznytsia) (Ukraine)
Publication history	1996–present
Frequency	Quarterly
Open access	Yes
Indexing
ISSN	2311-4061
Links
Journal homepage

Ukrzaliznytsia has its own research and development center called NDKTI. This institute studies and designs new technologies for railways. They work on things like railway lines, trains, safety, and communication systems. They also publish a quarterly magazine called Railway Transport of Ukraine. This magazine shares new ideas and research results with engineers and railway workers.

The National Railway University in Dnipro is a major educational center. It has 10 different departments, a technical school, and a business school. It also has branches in Odesa and Lviv. The university has 450 professors and offers 39 different study programs related to railway transport.

Leaders of Ukrzaliznytsia

Ukrainian Railways' previous logo, used from 1998 to 2018

Ukrainian Railways' new logo on the train wagon

Presidents and General Directors

1991–1993 Borys Oliynyk (President)
1993–1997 Leonid Zheleznyak (General Director)
1997–2000 Anatoliy Slobodyan
2000–2004 Heorhiy Kirpa
2005–2005 Volodymyr Korniyenko
2005–2005 Zenko Aftanaziv
2005–2006 Vasyl Hladkikh
2006–2007 Volodymyr Kozak
2007–2007 Petro Naumenko
2007–2008 Vasyl Melnychuk
2008–2011 Mykhailo Kostiuk
2011–2012 Volodymyr Kozak
2013–2014 Serhiy Bolobolin
2014–2014 Borys Ostapyuk
2014–2015 Maksym Blank (acting)
2015–2015 Oleksandr Zavhorodniy (acting)

Board Directors

2015–2016 Oleksandr Zavhorodniy (acting)
2016–2016 Yevhen Kravtsov (acting)
2016–2016 Vitaliy Zhurakovskyi (acting)
2016–2017 Wojciech Balczun
2017–2020 Yevhen Kravtsov (acting)
2020 Marček Zhelko (acting)
2020 Ivan Yuryk (acting)
2020–2021 Volodymyr Zhmak
2021–2023 Oleksandr Kamyshin
2023–November 2024 Yevhen Liashchenko
Yuzef Leonidovych Tuley (Representative, acting until March 31, 2025)