View source for Rail transport in Ukraine

{{Short description|none}}
{{About|how rail transport in Ukraine works|the journal|Railway Transport of Ukraine}}
{{Infobox rail network
|name            = Rail network in Ukraine
|color           = 
|logo            = 
|image           = EKr1-002.jpg
|caption         = An EKr1 between [[Boyarka]] and [[Vasylkiv]] in [[Kyiv Oblast]]
|nationalrailway = [[Ukrzaliznytsia]] (UZ) (Ukrainian Railways)
|infrastructure  = 
|majoroperators  = 
|ridership       = 53.7 million (2014, Ukrzaliznytsia only)<ref name=mtustats>{{cite web|url=http://mtu.gov.ua/content/statistichni-dani-pro-ukrainski-zaliznici.html |title=Statistical data on Ukrainian Railways (Статистичні дані про Українські залізниці) |access-date=2017-02-04 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204215148/http://mtu.gov.ua/content/statistichni-dani-pro-ukrainski-zaliznici.html |archivedate=2017-02-04 }}</ref>
|passkm          = 
|freight         = {{convert|443.222 | Mt|}} (2013, Ukrzaliznytsia only)<ref name=mtustats/>
|length          = {{convert|21640.4|km|mi}}<ref name=mtustats/>
|doublelength    = 
|ellength        = {{convert|9878|km|mi}}<ref name=mtustats/>
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|nostations      = 1,447<ref name=mtustats/>
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|map             = [[File:Rail Map Ukraine.png|200px]]
}}
'''Rail transport in Ukraine''' is a major [[mode of transport|transport mode]] in Ukraine. Most railway infrastructure in Ukraine is owned by the [[government of Ukraine]] through [[Ukrzaliznytsia]] (Public [[Joint-stock company|JSC]] 'Ukrainian Railways'), a [[joint-stock company]] which has a de facto country-wide monopoly on passenger and freight transport by rail.

The first railway tracks were constructed in present-day western Ukraine by [[Austria-Hungary]], but most lines were built under the [[Russian Empire]] or [[rail transport in the Soviet Union|the Soviet Union]], resulting in a track web dominated by [[5 ft and 1520 mm gauge railways|1520 mm gauge railways]]. Part of the rail network in [[eastern Ukraine]] was privatized in the late 1990s, creating the biggest private railway company in the country, [[Lemtrans]], which focuses on freight transport. Since the outbreak of the [[Russo-Ukrainian War]] in 2014, intensified by the February 2022 full-scale [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]], major parts of the Ukrainian rail network have been occupied by Russia-aligned military forces, while the Ukrainian government and Ukrzaliznytsia have undertaken considerable efforts to repair and transform the network for better vital logistical connections with the [[European Union]] (which mostly has [[standard-gauge railway]]s) and [[Moldova]].

==History==
[[File:История строительства железных дорог Украины.svg|The history of railway development in present-day Ukraine|thumb|450px]]

===Before Ukrainian independence===
[[File:RodakowskiHenryk.PortretLeonaSapiehy.1878.jpg|thumb|Prince [[Leon Sapieha]] in 1878]]
[[File:Управління Львівської залізниці.jpg|right|thumb|270px|Lviv Railways headquarters building]]
 
For more information, see:
*[[Galician Railway of Archduke Charles Louis]]
*[[Struve Railroad Bridge]]
*[[Kryukiv Railway Car Building Works]]
*[[Imperial Royal Austrian State Railways]]
*[[Hungarian State Railways]] (For [[Zakarpattia region]])
*[[History of rail transport in Russia]]
*[[History of rail transport in Poland]]<ref name=BBCpU>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-18018002 Ukraine profile], [[BBC News]]</ref>
*[[Rail transport in the Soviet Union]]<ref name=BBCpU/>

=== Early Ukrainian independence era (1991–2014) ===
{{See also|Ukrainian Railways}}
On 24 September 1991, following the resolution of the [[Verkhovna Rada]] (Ukraine's parliament) on separation from the [[Soviet Union]], all railroad administration was temporarily passed to the South-Western Railways. According to the resolution, all assets located within the borders of the former [[Ukrainian SSR]] became property of [[Ukraine]]. To improve efficiency a special centralized administration was created. On 14 December 1991 the [[Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine]] issued declaration No. 356 ''"In creation of the State Administration of Railroad Transportation in Ukraine"'' which proclaimed Ukrzaliznytsia a government body in administration railroad transportation uniting the six state railroad companies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://zakon.rada.gov.ua/cgi-bin/laws/main.cgi?nreg=356-91-%EF |title=КАБІНЕТ МІНІСТРІВ УКРАЇНИ П О С Т А Н О В А від 14 грудня 1991 р. N 356|date=30 July 1993|publisher=Законодавство України}}</ref>

=== Russo-Ukrainian War (2014–present) ===
==== War in Donbas era (2014–2022) ====
At the outbreak of the [[Russo-Ukrainian War]] in 2014, the Russian Federation annexed Crimea and Sevastopol, while large parts of Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts were seized by Russia-backed separatists, severely disrupting rail transport throughout southern and eastern Ukraine.

As of 2015 the Ukrainian government transformed the railways into a [[public joint-stock company]] named ''Ukrainian Railways'' ({{langx|uk|Ukrainska Zaliznytsia}}).<ref>[http://www.unian.info/economics/1159015-ukrzaliznytsia-officially-becomes-joint-stock-company.html Ukrzaliznytsia officially becomes joint-stock company], [[UNIAN]] (21 October 2015)<br>http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/economic/299132.html</ref>

==== Full-scale Russian invasion (early 2022 phase) ====
The 2022 [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]] showed the crucial role of railways in both civilian and military logistics in the area. Given the lack of roads passable during [[rasputitsa]] and the Russian lack of vehicles capable of off-road operation, logistics relied heavily on rail transport. Railway nodes became an important target of Russian attacks to maintain their own supply lines and disrupt those of Ukraine.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.24rhein.de/welt/politik/ukraine-krieg-russland-belarus-konflikt-lettland-eisenbahnen-ukrzaliznytsia-zr-91484682.html | title=Die Bedeutung der Eisenbahn im Krieg in der Ukraine macht sie teils zur Zielscheibe | date=19 April 2022 }}</ref> At the same time, Ukraine's exports and imports were shifted even more to rail than in peacetime as Russia captured or cut off many important [[Black Sea]] ports that usually handle a large share of Ukraine's external trade.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.stern.de/panorama/ukraine--eisenbahnchef-ist-enorm-wichtig---und-staendig-in-todesgefahr-31706182.html | title=Wie wichtig der Eisenbahnchef plötzlich für die Ukraine ist – und warum Putin ihn töten will | date=16 March 2022 }}</ref> Railways were crucial in transporting refugees and European governments, and state railways organized special trains for humanitarian aid to and from Ukraine.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.n-tv.de/wirtschaft/Riesiger-Gueterzug-ist-nach-Kiew-unterwegs-article23189377.html | title=Riesiger Güterzug ist nach Kiew unterwegs }}</ref> As airports were targets of Russian attacks and/or Ukrainian counter-attacks, trains were also used for diplomatic visits by foreign heads of state and government.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://rp-online.de/politik/ausland/kiew-regierungschefs-von-drei-eu-laendern-zu-besuch-bei-selenskyj_aid-67186003 | title="Starkes Zeichen der Unterstützung": Selenskyj begrüßt Regierungschefs von drei EU-Ländern in Kiew | date=15 March 2022 }}</ref>

==== 2022 rail freight crisis ====
{{Further|Economic impact of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine#Commodities}}
Due to the Russian invasion, many of the country's Black Sea ports were blocked, prompting a crisis in the export of agricultural products that were normally shipped.  Railway freight has become the most viable alternative, but the Ukrainian railway network has not been able to cope with the demand, mainly because of the railway [[Break of gauge|break-of-gauge]] between Ukraine's Soviet-era [[5 ft and 1520 mm gauge railways|1520 mm gauge railways]] and the [[standard-gauge railway]] (1435&nbsp;mm) of states west of its borders has created bottlenecks at  [[transloading]] stations.<ref name="Aloisi">{{Cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/thousands-goods-railcars-stuck-ukraines-border-war-hits-exports-2022-04-07/ |title=Thousands of goods railcars stuck at Ukraine's border as war hits exports |author1=Silvia Aloisi|author2=Pavel Polityuk|work=Reuters |date=7 April 2022 |access-date=16 April 2022}}</ref><ref name="van Hoorn">{{Cite web |title=Oekraïne bouwt aan grote graanoverslag voor treinen aan Poolse grens |trans-title=Ukraine is building large grain transhipment for trains at Polish border |author=Sander van Hoorn |work=[[Nederlandse Omroep Stichting|NOS]] |date=12 April 2022 |access-date=17 April 2022 |url=https://nos.nl/artikel/2424933-oekraine-bouwt-aan-grote-graanoverslag-voor-treinen-aan-poolse-grens |language=nl}}</ref>  On 7 April 2022, Ukrzaliznytsia reported that 10,320 [[Goods wagon|wagons]] (about half of the total) were waiting at the [[Ustyluh|Ustyluh (Izov)]]–[[Hrubieszów]] border crossing on the [[Linia Hutnicza Szerokotorowa]] line, the main railway connection between Ukraine and Poland and the longest 1,520&nbsp;mm gauge [[Rail transport in Poland|railway of Poland]].<ref name="Aloisi"/>

Efforts to quickly increase rail freight capacity have been launched, including construction of new large transloading stations near [[Mostyska]] and elsewhere, mainly in Poland.<ref name="van Hoorn" />  As of 12 April 2022, the Mostyka station was planned to be completed by June 2022, with a transloading capacity of 50,000 metric tonnes of grain per month by July, and 100,000 tonnes by September.<ref name="van Hoorn" />  Additional challenges included the need to increase the number of wagons, appropriate permits to let Ukrainian wagons ride in EU territory, and to increase the capacity of EU ports (such as [[port of Gdansk|Gdańsk]], [[port of Hamburg|Hamburg]] and [[port of Rotterdam|Rotterdam]]) that would have to take over the shipping role of the blocked Black Sea ports.<ref name="van Hoorn" />  

Some railway stations have been damaged due to the war.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/05/kharkiv-catalogues-war-toll-on-architectural-gems-historic-buildings-ukraine | title=Kharkiv catalogues war's toll on its architectural gems | website=[[TheGuardian.com]] | date=5 May 2022 }}</ref>

==== Restoration and modernisation (late 2022–present) ====
By October 2022, operations were underway to repair damaged railway infrastructure, while mines were cleared and unexploded ordnance were defused or safely detonated and removed.<ref name="Hoorn Balduk">{{Cite news |title=Met militaire precisie wordt het cruciale spoor in Oekraïne hersteld |trans-title=Crucial railways in Ukraine are restored with military precision |author=Sander van Hoorn & Chiem Balduk |work=NOS.nl |date=4 October 2022 |access-date=4 October 2022 |url=https://nos.nl/artikel/2447018-met-militaire-precisie-wordt-het-cruciale-spoor-in-oekraine-hersteld |language=nl}}</ref> The railways had proven to serve an essential role for Ukrainian military, cilivian and humanitarian logistics, and the recapture of Russian-occupied train tracks seriously disrupted the logistics of invading forces.<ref name="Hoorn Balduk"/> Ukrainian Railways was also in the process of planning the replacement of its [[5 ft and 1520 mm gauge railways|1,520 mm gauge]] with the 1,435&nbsp;mm [[standard-gauge railway]] for future integration with the [[European Union]]'s rail network.<ref name="Hoorn Balduk"/>

In early February 2022 (just before the Russian invasion began), upon returning from a visit to Poland, Infrastructure Minister [[Oleksandr Kubrakov]], his deputy [[Mustafa Nayyem]] and Ukrzaliznytsia CEO [[Oleksandr Kamyshin]] announced that Ukraine and Poland had agreed that a [[high-speed rail]] link would be built between Kyiv and Warsaw through [[Yahodyn railway station]],<ref name="Ukrinform"/> reducing travel times by four hours. Ukrzaliznytsia also decided to remove all restrictions on rail transit to Poland beginning on 10 February 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://open4business.com.ua/en/ukraine-poland-plan-a-high-speed-railway-communication-between-capitals/ |title=Ukraine, Poland plan a high-speed railway communication between capitals |author= |work=Ukraine open for business |date=7 February 2022 |access-date=31 October 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://odessa-journal.com/high-speed-rail-link-between-kyiv-and-warsaw/ |title=High-speed rail link between Kyiv and Warsaw |author= |work=Odessa Journal |date=8 February 2022 |access-date=31 October 2022}}</ref> After the Russian invasion caused a lot of damage to Ukrainian railway and airport infrastructure, the Polish government in October 2022 offered to help Ukraine's post-war reconstruction, as well as adding an extra high-speed rail link between [[Lublin]] and [[Lviv]] through [[Zamość]] and [[Bełżec (village)|Bełżec]].<ref name="Ukrinform">{{Cite news |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-economy/3601923-poland-wants-to-help-ukraine-restore-airports-expand-railway-links.html |title=Poland wants to help Ukraine restore airports, expand railway links |author= |work=Ukrinform |date=27 October 2022 |access-date=31 October 2022}}</ref>

== Integration with the EU railroads ==
[[File:Rail_gauge_EurAsia.png|right|thumb|250x250px|Most commonly used rail gauges in the countries of [[Eurasia]]{{legend|#305c31|Broad gauge (1,520 mm)}}
{{legend|#568dd0|Standard gauge (1,435 mm)}}]]
=== Transition to the Standard gauge ===
{{also|Track gauge conversion}}
Since the 2010s, and especially since the February 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, much urge has been given to plans to build new standard-gauge connections between the largest cities and EU countries, and switch over parts of the Ukrainian network from 1,520&nbsp;mm to standard gauge.<ref name="Moiseev"/> Although switching the entire network over quickly would not be realistic, the construction or renewal of standard-gauge border crossings were deemed viable options to be prioritised.<ref name="Moiseev"/> 

In February 2021, plans were drafted by the Ministry of Infrastructure for building four standard-gauge sections with a total length of 2,000&nbsp;km, with a top train speed of over 250&nbsp;km/h.<ref name="Moiseev"/> The first and longest of these would be a 896&nbsp;km-long track between Kyiv and Lviv, onwards to the Ukrainian-Polish border.<ref name="Moiseev"/> The plans also included standard-gauge rail between [[Chernivtsi]] and [[Siret]], Romania.<ref name="Moiseev"/> Restoration of the [[Mostyska]]-1 to [[Rodatychi]] standard-gauge track is under discussion.<ref name="Moiseev"/>
{{Location map many | Ukraine
| caption = Major Ukrainian cities mentioned in this section
| width = 280
| float = right
| label1 = Kyiv
  | mark1 = Capital city marker.svg
  | coordinates1 = {{Coord|50|27|00|N|30|31|24|E}}
| label2 = Lviv
  | coordinates2 = {{coord|49|50|33|N|24|01|56|E}}
| label3 = Odesa
  | coordinates3 = {{Coord|46|29|09|N|30|44|36|E}}
| label4 = Uzhhorod
  | coordinates4 = {{coord|48|37|26|N|22|17|42|E}}
| label5 = Mariupol
  | coordinates5 = {{coord|47|05|45|N|37|32|58|E}}
}}

Following the October 2022 European Union decision to extend the EU [[TEN-T]] system, in June 2023 it was agreed for passenger transport to bring a European Standard gauge line from Poland to Kyiv via Lviv.<ref>{{cite web |title=Deal for standard gauge to Ukraine to be signed this month |url=https://www.railfreight.com/corridors/2023/06/05/deal-for-standard-gauge-to-ukraine-to-be-signed-this-month/ |date=June 2023}}</ref> 

Other planned TEN-T European standard lines include:
* International connections to Lviv from Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania.
* International connection to Odesa from Moldova.
* Lviv to Odesa line.
* Kyiv to Mariupol line.<ref>{{cite web |title=Railways in Ukraine |url=https://www.sinfin.net/railways/world/ukraine.html |access-date=6 August 2023}}</ref>

A long-term plan is to turn Lviv into a European standard rail hub, but that major project would have to be performed in several smaller stages.<ref name="RailTech 02-10-23"/>

In July 2023, the European Commission published the "Strategy for the EU integration of the Ukrainian and Moldovan rail systems".{{sfn|EC|2023|p=35}} A principal conclusion and recommendation of the study is to develop a new backbone Standard gauge network in Ukraine, to be operated in conjunction with the existing 1520mm network. The new backbone network would focus on higher speed intercity transportation, while the 1520mm system would cater for lower-speed transport (local and regional passenger traffic and heavy bulk).{{sfn|EC|2023|p=35}} The development of the backbone network would be implemented in a phased manner, from West to East.{{sfn|EC|2023|p=35}}

In April 2024, Ukraine commenced building the Standard gauge track between [[Chop, Ukraine|Chop]] and [[Uzhhorod]] (22 km).<ref name="u336">{{cite web | title=Ukraine builds standard gauge Chop – Uzhhorod railway | website=Railway PRO | date=18 April 2024 | url=https://www.railwaypro.com/wp/ukraine-launched-standard-gauge-line-construction/ | access-date=13 July 2024}}</ref> After completion, Uzhhorod will become the first administrative center ([[Oblasts of Ukraine|oblast capital]]) of Ukraine connected to the EU by the standard gauge.<ref name="u336"/>

=== Rolling stock === 
{{Further|Ukrainian Railways#Rolling stock}}
Because of the difference in gauges, most of Ukraine's rolling stock cannot move across standard gauge rail into neighbouring countries to its west, namely Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania.<ref name="Moiseev"/> Although replacing the [[bogie]]s would make wagons compatible with most Romanian and Bulgarian railways, '[Ukrainian] grain wagons have a width of 3,224&nbsp;mm, while the maximum allowable one in many European countries is 3,150&nbsp;mm, and the axle load of [Ukrainian] wagons is up to 23.5 tons with the maximum allowable 18–20 tons in many neighboring countries. Therefore, in Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland, basically only European wagons can be used.'<ref name="Moiseev"/> Specialised freight fleets at [[Kovel railway station]] compatible with the European network can move across Ukraine's longest standard-gauge track into Poland, but as of 2022 had not been in use for almost 30 years.<ref name="Moiseev"/>

=== New and reopened railroad links ===
[[File:Europe rail electrification en.svg|thumb|Electrification systems in Europe:{{efn|High-speed lines in [[High-speed rail in France|France]], [[High-speed rail in Spain|Spain]], [[High-speed rail in Italy|Italy]], [[High-speed rail in the United Kingdom|United Kingdom]], the [[High-speed rail in the Netherlands|Netherlands]], [[High-speed rail in Belgium|Belgium]] and [[High-speed rail in Turkey|Turkey]] operate under 25&nbsp;kV, as high power lines in the former Soviet Union as well.}}
{{legend|#c0c1c5|Non-electrified}}
{{legend|#003399|750{{nbsp}}V DC}}
{{legend|#5bc6ff|1.5{{nbsp}}kV DC}}
{{legend|#46a43b|3{{nbsp}}kV DC}}
{{legend|#c39467|[[15 kV AC]]}}
{{legend|#ffd617|[[25 kV AC]]}}

High speed lines in France, Spain, Italy, United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium and Turkey operate under 25{{nbsp}}kV, as do high power lines in the former Soviet Union as well.]]
Since 2010s efforts have been undertaken to make several Poland-Ukraine connections fully operational again, including [[Khyriv]] - [[Przemyśl]] and [[Khyriv]] - [[Sanok]]. Both have a combined dual gauge 1435/1520mm track.{{sfn|EC|2023|p=35}}

In 2019, the Košice (Slovakia) to Mukachevo (Ukraine) passenger service was opened.<ref>{{cite web |title=Slovakia launches new train to Ukraine |url=https://www.railtech.com/policy/2019/06/10/slovakia-launches-new-train-to-ukraine/ |date=10 June 2019}}</ref>

In August 2022, a previously abandoned link between [[Basarabeasca]] (Moldova) and [[Berezyne, Odesa Oblast|Berezyne]] (Ukraine) was rebuilt and reopened.<ref name="MP-2022-08-22">{{cite web |url=https://www.moldpres.md/en/news/2022/08/22/22006308 |title=Basarabeasca-Berezino railway section put into operation |website=Moldpres |date=22 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220830021105/https://www.moldpres.md/en/news/2022/08/22/22006308 | archive-date=30 August 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="RF-2023-04-14">{{cite web |url=https://www.railfreight.com/railfreight/2023/04/14/ukrainian-railways-set-up-cargo-flows-via-new-rail-crossing-with-moldova/ |title=Ukrainian railways set up cargo flows via new rail crossing with Moldova |website=RailFreight.com |date=14 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230415091157/https://www.railfreight.com/railfreight/2023/04/14/ukrainian-railways-set-up-cargo-flows-via-new-rail-crossing-with-moldova/ | archive-date=15 April 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In October 2022 the border crossing from [[Rakhiv]] south to [[Valea Vișeului railway station]] in Romania (closed in 2011<ref name="Hotnews Vișeului">{{Cite news |title=Romania, freight trains and Ukraine - Complicated borders, exaggerations, slow speeds, big problems |language=ro |work=HotNews |url=https://economie.hotnews.ro/stiri-industrie_feroviara-25788916-romania-trenurile-marfa-ucraina-granite-complicate-exagerari-viteze-mici-probleme-mari.htm |access-date=14 November 2022}}</ref>) was reopened.<ref name="medi1411">{{Cite news |title=Valea Vișeului-Berlibas railway line, transit line at the border with Ukraine, reopened |language=ro |work=Mediafax |url=https://www.mediafax.ro/social/s-a-redeschis-linia-de-cale-ferata-valea-viseului-berlibas-linie-de-tranzit-la-granita-cu-ucraina-21235730|access-date=14 November 2022}}</ref>

In 2023 at [[Teresva]] a fourth rail connection between Ukraine and Romania opened.<ref>{{cite web |title=EXCITING: In Ukraine, two new railway sections on the border with Romania were repaired in 2 months |url=https://www.railtarget.eu/passenger/exciting-in-ukraine-two-new-railway-sections-on-the-border-with-romania-were-repaired-in-2-months-3346.html |date=30 August 2022}}</ref>

The first freight train in 25 years travelled on the Basarabeasca-Berezino line from Moldova in April 2023, the line having been recently renovated by a joint Moldova/Ukrainian team in just over a month. This line reopens an historic connection between Ukraine and Romania and bypasses Transnistria.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ukraine Begins Exporting Via Reopened Moldovan Rail Link |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-moldova-romania-train-transdniester-shipping-export-import-salt-grain-basarabeasca-berezino/32360850.html |date=12 April 2023}}</ref> 

In October 2023, the Warsaw – Rava-Ruska connection was extended to [[Briukhovychi]] (just northwest of Lviv), and in November 2023 the new connection [[Chop, Ukraine|Chop]] – [[Prague]] was opened, thus adding two more standard-gauge rails from Ukraine to Poland and Czechia, respectively.<ref name="RailTech 02-10-23">{{Cite web |url=https://www.railtech.com/infrastructure/2023/10/02/two-connections-from-poland-and-czech-republic-to-ukraine-launch-this-autumn/?gdpr=deny |title=Two connections from Poland and Czech Republic to Ukraine launch this autumn |author=Esther Geerts |work=RailTech |publisher= |date=2 October 2023 |access-date=7 January 2024 |language= }}</ref>

== Infrastructure ==
Railways in Ukraine use various gauge types. The broad gauge (1,520&nbsp;mm), a legacy of Imperial Russian and Soviet times, dominates the landscape, and [[Narrow-gauge railways in Ukraine|narrow-gauge railways]] (750&nbsp;mm) also exist, but plans are being made to construct, restore or switch to more standard-gauge railways (1,435&nbsp;mm) for better train connections with the rest of Europe.<ref name="Moiseev"/> About half of railways in Ukraine are electrified (some of which have been damaged during the ongoing [[Russo-Ukrainian War]] and temporarily switched to diesel trains).<ref name="UZ stats 2020"/>

The total length of Ukrainian rails of all gauges was 28,000 kilometres at the end of 1997.{{Sfn|EC|2023|p=18}} Around January 2022, the length of railways in Ukraine was 19,790&nbsp;km in broad-gauge 1520&nbsp;mm (excluding those located in temporarily occupied territory), about 350&nbsp;km in standard-gauge 1435&nbsp;mm, and about 400&nbsp;km in narrow gauge 750&nbsp;mm.
{{Sfn|EC|2023|p=18}}

=== Railways by gauge ===
==== Broad gauge (1,520 mm) ====
As of 2020, the total length of the main broad-gauge (1,520&nbsp;mm) railroad network was {{convert|19,787|km|mi}}.<ref name="UZ stats 2020">{{Cite web|title=Статистичні дані про Українські залізниці|url=https://mtu.gov.ua/content/statistichni-dani-pro-ukrainski-zaliznici.html|access-date=2020-10-29|website=Міністерство інфраструктури України|language=uk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221103103048/https://mtu.gov.ua/content/statistichni-dani-pro-ukrainski-zaliznici.html |archive-date=3 November 2022}}</ref>

==== Standard gauge (1,435 mm) ====
{{also|Rail transport in Ukraine#Integration with the EU railroads}}
As of May 2022, Ukraine had many stretches of standard gauge rail, although several had not been used for decades.<ref name="Moiseev">{{Cite web |title=Shmyhal reports complete switch of Ukraine to European railway gauge: Why this is impossible |author=Valery Moiseev |work=The Page |date=26 May 2022 |access-date=11 January 2023 |url=https://en.thepage.ua/economy/ukraines-switch-to-european-railway-gauge}}</ref> The {{circa}} 80-kilometre-long railroad from [[Kovel railway station]] to Yahodyn railway station near the Ukrainian–Polish border was the longest standard-gauge track in Ukraine at the time;<ref name="Moiseev"/> in May 2021, Ukrainian Railways started electrifying and modernising this route.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ukrainian Railways starts major electrification project this summer |author= |work=RailTech.com |date= 11 May 2021|access-date=16 January 2023 |url= https://www.railtech.com/infrastructure/2021/05/11/ukrainian-railways-starts-major-electrification-project-this-summer/}}</ref> Specialised freight fleets at Kovel station compatible with the European network had not been in use for almost 30 years, however.<ref name="Moiseev"/> From [[Chop, Ukraine|Chop]] to [[Mukachevo]] and to the railway station at [[Nevetlenfolu]] (Diakovo) in Zakarpattia, large sections of rail track are of European width as well.<ref name="Moiseev"/>

[[File:Bogie change station at Chop station Ukraine.jpg|thumb|[[Bogie]]-exchange station in [[Chop, Ukraine]]]]

==== Narrow gauges (750 mm) ====
{{Main|Narrow-gauge railways in Ukraine}}
Various {{RailGauge|750mm}} gauge railways operate in [[Ukraine]] as [[common carrier]], [[industrial railway]] or [[children's railways]].

=== Rail links with adjacent countries ===
==== Links to Belarus ====
*{{flagicon|Belarus}} [[Rail transport in Belarus|Belarus]]: same gauge, 1520mm broad. Closed and largely destoryed due to the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]].{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}

==== Links to Hungary ====
*{{flagicon|Hungary}} [[Rail transport in Hungary|Hungary]]: [[Break-of-gauge]]: {{track gauge|1520mm}}/{{track gauge|sg}}
** [[Záhony]]-[[Chop railway station]]<ref>{{cite web |title=How to get from Hungary to Ukraine: convenient routes |url=https://visitukraine.today/blog/1714/how-to-get-from-hungary-to-ukraine-convenient-routes |date=22 April 2023}}</ref>

==== Links to Moldova ====
{{see also|Rail transport in Transnistria}}
* {{flagicon|Moldova}} [[Rail transport in Moldova|Moldova]]: same gauge, 1520mm broad. 
** There were two major rail links, both require transit through [[Transnistria]], between [[Bender, Moldova|Bender]]-[[Tiraspol railway station|Tiraspol]]-Kuchurgan and between [[Mateuți]]-[[Cobasna]]-[[Slobidka, Podilsk Raion, Odesa Oblast|Slobidka]]. closed due to rail bridge damaged by Ukraine in early 2022.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ukraine blows up bridge to Transnistria after Tiraspol reasserts its independence |url=https://www.intellinews.com/ukraine-blows-up-bridge-to-transnistria-after-tiraspol-reasserts-its-independence-237137/ |date=7 March 2022}}</ref>
** A previously abandoned link between [[Basarabeasca]] (Moldova) and [[Berezyne, Odesa Oblast|Berezyne]] (Ukraine) that was rebuilt and reopened in August 2022.<ref name="MP-2022-08-22">{{cite web |url=https://www.moldpres.md/en/news/2022/08/22/22006308 |title=Basarabeasca-Berezino railway section put into operation |website=Moldpres |date=22 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220830021105/https://www.moldpres.md/en/news/2022/08/22/22006308 | archive-date=30 August 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="RF-2023-04-14">{{cite web |url=https://www.railfreight.com/railfreight/2023/04/14/ukrainian-railways-set-up-cargo-flows-via-new-rail-crossing-with-moldova/ |title=Ukrainian railways set up cargo flows via new rail crossing with Moldova |website=RailFreight.com |date=14 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230415091157/https://www.railfreight.com/railfreight/2023/04/14/ukrainian-railways-set-up-cargo-flows-via-new-rail-crossing-with-moldova/ | archive-date=15 April 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Links to Poland ====
*{{flagicon|Poland}} [[Rail transport in Poland|Poland]]. As of July 2023, there were [[Polish rail border crossings#Poland - Ukraine|seven railway crossings on the Polish-Ukrainian border]].{{sfn|EC|2023|p=34–35}}
** [[Kovel]] and [[Kovel Raion|Yahodyn]] – [[Dorohusk]] and [[Chełm]]; one 1435mm track and one 1520mm track.{{sfn|EC|2023|p=34}}
** [[Khyriv]] through [[Nyzhankovychi]] – [[Malhowice]] until [[Przemyśl]]. Formerly combined dual gauge 1435/1520mm, though the 1435mm gauge tracks were partially removed between 1995 and 2004, although since 2016 efforts have been undertaken to make it fully operational again.{{sfn|EC|2023|p=35}}
** [[Khyriv]] through Staryava (Старява, [[Sambir Raion]]) – [[Krościenko, Bieszczady County]] until [[Sanok]]. Combined dual gauge 1435/1520mm, closed to all traffic since 9 November 2010, although efforts have been undertaken to make it fully operational again.{{sfn|EC|2023|p=35}}
** [[Linia Hutnicza Szerokotorowa]] (LHS), a broad gauge cross-border cargo line from [[Volodymyr (city)|Volodymyr(-Volynskyi)]] via [[Ustyluh]] into Poland at [[Hrubieszów]] towards [[Sławków]] (near [[Katowice]]).{{sfn|EC|2023|p=34}}<ref>{{cite web |title=PKP LHS: Ukraina odblokowała tranzyt pociągów z Azji do Polski przez swoje terytorium |url=https://forsal.pl/transport/kolej/artykuly/8354208,pkp-lhs-ukraina-odblokowala-tranzyt-pociagow-z-azji-do-polski.html |date=10 February 2022}}</ref> As of July 2023, it only transports freight, though in earlier years it also served passengers,{{sfn|EC|2023|p=34}} while a sidetrack from Volodymyr to Kovel is being electrified.{{sfn|EC|2023|p=34}}
** [[Lviv]] through [[Mostyska]] – [[Medyka]] until [[Przemyśl]]. 1435mm and 1520mm tracks, widely used for passenger transport, particularly by people travelling between Kyiv/Lviv and Warsaw/Wrocław.{{sfn|EC|2023|p=34–35}}
** [[Rava Ruska]] – [[Hrebenne, Tomaszów Lubelski County]]. 1435mm track opened on 2 June 1996, closed in June 2005.{{sfn|EC|2023|p=34}} As of July 2023, freight traffic was impossible because the tracks to the interchange sidings at Rava Ruska had been dismantled.{{sfn|EC|2023|p=34}}
** [[Rava Ruska]] – [[Werchrata]]. A 1520mm gauge freight-only crossing.{{sfn|EC|2023|p=34}}

==== Links to Romania ====
*{{flagicon|Romania}} [[Rail transport in Romania|Romania]]: [[Break-of-gauge]]: {{track gauge|1520mm}}/{{track gauge|sg}}<ref name="medi1411"/> As of July 2023, there were 6 border crossings between the two countries.{{sfn|EC|2023|p=36}}
** [[Rakhiv]] - [[Valea Vișeului railway station|Vișeului]] (closed in 2011,<ref name="Hotnews Vișeului"/> reopened in October 2022<ref name="medi1411"/>).
** [[Teresva]] - [[Câmpulung la Tisa]].
** [[Vadul-Siret railway station|Vadul-Siret]] - [[Vicșani railway station|Vicșani]].
** [[Nevetlenfolu]] (Diakovo), Ukraine - [[Halmeu]], Romania: dual gauge crossing, not electrified; currently freight only. Dual gauge line enables standard gauge connections from Halmeu with [[Hungary]] and [[Slovakia]] through [[Chop, Ukraine]].
** [[Reni, Ukraine]] ([[Odesa Oblast]]) - [[Galați]], near the [[tripoint]] of Ukraine, Romania and Moldova on the Danube.{{sfn|EC|2023|p=37}}

==== Links to Russia ====
* {{flagicon|Russia}} [[Rail transport in Russia|Russia]]: same gauge, 1520mm broad. Closed and largely destroyed due to the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]], but the occupied Crimea was re-connected by RZD via [[Crimean Bridge|bridge]] since 2019,<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 December 2019 |title=Строительство железнодорожной части Крымского моста закончено |url=https://ria.ru/20191218/1562543834.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200106221827/https://ria.ru/20191218/1562543834.html |archive-date=6 January 2020 |access-date=18 December 2019 |website=РИА Новости |language=ru}}</ref> as well as were [[Luhansk People's Republic|Luhansk]] through [[Russian occupation of Kherson Oblast|Kherson]] since 2023,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-27 |title=Правительство утвердило распоряжение о создании предприятия «Железные дороги Новороссии» |url=http://government.ru/news/48604/ |access-date=2025-01-27 |website=government.ru |language=ru}}</ref> they are cut from any Ukrainian Railways networks as being controlled by the so-called [[Railways of Novorossiya]].

==== Links to Slovakia ====
* {{flagicon|Slovakia}} [[Rail transport in Slovakia|Slovakia]]
** Košice (Slovakia) to Mukachevo (Ukraine) passenger service opened 2019 <ref>{{cite web |title=Slovakia launches new train to Ukraine |url=https://www.railtech.com/policy/2019/06/10/slovakia-launches-new-train-to-ukraine/ |date=10 June 2019}}</ref>
** [[Chop railway station]] to [[Čierna nad Tisou railway station]]<ref>{{cite web |title=RegioJet to operate into Ukraine from January 2024 |url=https://www.railjournal.com/passenger/main-line/regiojet-to-operate-into-ukraine-from-january-2024/ |date=1 December 2023}}</ref>
** [[Uzhhorod–Košice broad-gauge track]], a broad gauge cross-border cargo line.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}

=== Stations ===
{{main|List of railway stations in Ukraine}}
In 2020, there were 1,402 stations.<ref name="UZ stats 2020"/> Prior to the intensified [[Derussification in Ukraine|Ukrainian derussification]] after the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]] there were still renaming railway stops whose names indicate the distance to [[Moscow]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sq.com.ua/ukr/novini/29.09.2023/pervomaiskii-ne-vdalosya-pereimenuvati-i-z-tretyoyi-sprobi|title=Pervomaisky failed to rename on the third attempt|date=29 September 2023|access-date=29 September 2023|publisher=SQ|language=Ukrainian}}</ref>

=== Infrastructure projects ===
* Electrification of the Volodymyr – Kovel track.{{sfn|EC|2023|p=34}}

==== Beskydy Tunnel ====
The [[Beskydy Tunnel]] was inaugurated in May 2018, serving as the most important rail link between Ukraine and the [[Pan-European rail network|pan-European railway network]], handling 60% of Ukraine-EU freight traffic. The project was supported by the [[European Union]], the [[European Investment Bank]] (EIB), and the [[European Bank for Reconstruction and Development]] (EBRD).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Opening of Beskyd tunnel moves Ukraine closer to the EU|url=https://www.ebrd.com/news/2018/opening-of-beskyd-tunnel-moves-ukraine-closer-to-europe.html|access-date=2020-10-29|website=www.ebrd.com|language=en}}</ref> The new tunnel more than doubles the output on the line, to 100 trains from the previous 45, and allows a speed increase from 40&nbsp;km/h to 70&nbsp;km/h.<ref>{{Cite web|last=2018-05-25T10:32:42+01:00|title=Beskyd tunnel completed|url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/europe/beskyd-tunnel-completed/46517.article|access-date=2020-10-29|website=Railway Gazette International|language=en}}</ref>

==== Kyiv – Vasylkiv electrification project ====
In 2021 the electrification of the track section [[Vasylkiv]] 1 – [[Vasylkiv]] 2 is planned, which will enable the launch of electric suburban rail between Kyiv and [[Vasylkiv]]. The project involves the reconstruction of the [[Boyarka]] [[electrical substation]], track works and a new passenger platform.<ref name="cfts_2020-09-16">{{Cite web|title=В проект Бюджета-2021 заложена электрификация ж/д линии для запуска электричек Киев-Васильков|url=https://cfts.org.ua/news/2020/09/16/v_proekt_byudzheta_2021_zalozhena_elektrifikatsiya_zh_d_linii_dlya_zapuska_elektrichek_kiev_vasilkov_60751|access-date=2020-10-28|website=cfts.org.ua|language=ru}}</ref>

==== Zhytomyr – Zviahel line upgrade ====
In 2021, the line between [[Zhytomyr]] and [[Zviahel]] is planned to be modernized and electrified.<ref name="cfts_2020-09-16"/><ref>{{Cite web|title=Главные цифры госбюджета — как будут финансировать транспорт в 2021 году|url=https://mintrans.news/dorogi/glavnye-tsifry-gosbyudzheta-kak-budut-finansirovat-transport-v-2021-godu|access-date=2020-10-28|website=Mintrans}}</ref>

==== Kyiv – Cherkasy electrification ====
The project envisages the electrification of the 30&nbsp;km section between Taras Shevchenko ([[Smila]]) and [[Cherkasy]] stations, which is the only non-electrified section between Cherkasy and [[Kyiv-Pasazhyrskyi railway station|Kyiv]]. The project will enable the launch of INTERCITY+ services between Kyiv and Cherkasy, reducing travel time from 3 hours 41 minutes to 2 hours and 45 minutes.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Железнодорожная инфраструктура в проекте бюджета-2021: хорошие новости для Черкасс, Житомира и Василькова|url=https://nv.ua/biz/experts/infrastruktura-i-byudzhet-2021-poezda-v-zhitomir-cherkassy-vasilkov-novosti-ukrainy-50114623.html|access-date=2020-10-28|website=nv.ua|language=ru}}</ref> Ukrainian Railways plans to carry out service using [[UZ Class 675|Skoda City Elephant EJ675]] double decker electric multiple units.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Двухэтажные поезда Skoda хотят пустить на маршрут Киев-Черкассы|url=https://cfts.org.ua/news/2020/09/23/dvukhetazhnye_poezda_skoda_khotyat_pustit_na_marshrut_kiev_cherkassy_60888|access-date=2020-10-28|website=cfts.org.ua|language=ru}}</ref>

== Rail and train companies ==
{{More citations needed|section|date=January 2023}}

=== Operators ===
* [[Ukrainian Railways]] (Ukrzaliznytsia), the state-owned joint-stock company that has a ''de facto'' monopoly on rail transport operations in Ukraine. It was recognised in 2011 that there is a need for competition in rail services.<ref>{{cite web |title=General information about railway transport |url=https://mtu.gov.ua/en/content/informaciya-pro-ukrainski-zaliznici.html |access-date=8 August 2023}}</ref>

=== Manufacturers ===
==== Locomotives ====
* [[Luhanskteplovoz]], former producer of locomotives (in 2007-2016 belonged to Russian [[Transmashholding]])
* [[Malyshev Factory]], former producer of locomotives as Kharkiv Steam-locomotive Factory
* Dnipro Electrical Locomotive Works, producer of electrical locomotives
* Ukrzaliznychpostach
* Vinnytsiatransprylad
* Ukrainian state center of railroad refrigerated transportation
* Ukrainian state center in exploitation of specialized [[rolling stock]] "Ukrspecrailcar"{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}

==== Railcars ====
* [[KVBZ|Kryukiv Railcar Works]], primary producer of small locomotives and railcars 
* [[Stakhanov Railway Car Building Works]], railcar production
* [[DniproVahonMash]] (Dnieper Railcar Works), railcar production{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}

==== Supporting ====
* Kryvyi Rih Diesel Engines, diesel engines
* LuhCentroKuz, rail axles{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}

==== Trams ====
* Elektron, producer of [[tram]]ways
* [[Yuzhmash]] (along with Tatra Yuga), producer of [[tram]]ways{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}

=== Rail stock research ===
{{See also|Railway Transport of Ukraine}}
* Ukrainian Research Institute of Railcar Construction,<ref>[http://ukrndiv.com.ua/ Official website]. Ukrainian Research Institute of Railcar Construction.</ref> [[Kremenchuk]]

=== Others ===
* Central station of communication
* Donbasshlyakhpostach
* Main information-calculation center
* Ukrainian state accounting center of international transportations
* State company "Ukrainian center of track works mechanization"
* Lisky
* Ukrainian center of passenger service (UTsOP)
* Ukrtransfarmatsia
* [[E-kvytok]] (translate Electronic ticket){{citation needed|date=January 2023}}

==Other rail transport in Ukraine==
{{unreferenced section|date=September 2022}}
Rail transport used for [[mass transit]] is usually administered by local government, typically city authorities; this includes trams, subway (metro), funicular and others. There are rapid transit systems in [[Kyiv metro|Kyiv]], [[Kharkiv metro|Kharkiv]] and [[Dnipro metro|Dnipro]] as well as tram systems among which the [[Kryvyi Rih Metrotram]] contains underground sections.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}

In mountainous regions various narrow gauge railways are owned and operated privately, sometimes in the form of [[heritage railway]]s.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}

== See also ==
* [[Transport in Ukraine]]

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

== Bibliography ==
* {{Cite web |url=https://transport.ec.europa.eu/news-events/news/study-sets-out-step-step-plan-better-eu-rail-connections-ukraine-and-moldova-2023-07-10_en |title=Strategy for the EU integration of the Ukrainian and Moldovan rail systems |author=EC |work=transport.ec.europa.eu |publisher=European Commission |date=11 July 2023 |access-date=7 January 2024}} (160 pages).

{{Rail transport in Europe}}
{{Railways of Ukrzaliznytsia}}

[[Category:Rail transport in Ukraine| ]]