rail transport in Ukraine

File:История строительства железных дорог Украины.svg

File:RodakowskiHenryk.PortretLeonaSapiehy.1878.jpg in 1878]]

File:Управління Львівської залізниці.jpg

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[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-18018002 Ukraine profile], BBC News
• Rail transport in the Soviet Union

{{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.{{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}}

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}}).[http://www.unian.info/economics/1159015-ukrzaliznytsia-officially-becomes-joint-stock-company.html Ukrzaliznytsia officially becomes joint-stock company], UNIAN (21 October 2015)
http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/economic/299132.html

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.{{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 }} 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.{{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 }} Railways were crucial in transporting refugees and European governments, and state railways organized special trains for humanitarian aid to and from Ukraine.{{Cite web | url=https://www.n-tv.de/wirtschaft/Riesiger-Gueterzug-ist-nach-Kiew-unterwegs-article23189377.html | title=Riesiger Güterzug ist nach Kiew unterwegs }} 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.{{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 }}

{{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 between Ukraine's Soviet-era 1520 mm gauge railways and the standard-gauge railway (1435 mm) of states west of its borders has created bottlenecks at transloading stations.{{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}}{{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=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}} On 7 April 2022, Ukrzaliznytsia reported that 10,320 wagons (about half of the total) were waiting at the Ustyluh (Izov)–Hrubieszów border crossing on the Linia Hutnicza Szerokotorowa line, the main railway connection between Ukraine and Poland and the longest 1,520 mm gauge railway of Poland.

Efforts to quickly increase rail freight capacity have been launched, including construction of new large transloading stations near Mostyska and elsewhere, mainly in Poland. 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. 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 Gdańsk, Hamburg and Rotterdam) that would have to take over the shipping role of the blocked Black Sea ports.

Some railway stations have been damaged due to the war.{{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 }}

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.{{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}} 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. Ukrainian Railways was also in the process of planning the replacement of its 1,520 mm gauge with the 1,435 mm standard-gauge railway for future integration with the European Union's rail network.

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, reducing travel times by four hours. Ukrzaliznytsia also decided to remove all restrictions on rail transit to Poland beginning on 10 February 2022.{{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}}{{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}} 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.{{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}}

File:Rail_gauge_EurAsia.png{{legend|#305c31|Broad gauge (1,520 mm)}}

{{legend|#568dd0|Standard gauge (1,435 mm)}}]]

{{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 mm to standard gauge. 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.

In February 2021, plans were drafted by the Ministry of Infrastructure for building four standard-gauge sections with a total length of 2,000 km, with a top train speed of over 250 km/h. The first and longest of these would be a 896 km-long track between Kyiv and Lviv, onwards to the Ukrainian-Polish border. The plans also included standard-gauge rail between Chernivtsi and Siret, Romania. Restoration of the Mostyska-1 to Rodatychi standard-gauge track is under discussion.

{{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.{{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}}

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.{{cite web |title=Railways in Ukraine |url=https://www.sinfin.net/railways/world/ukraine.html |access-date=6 August 2023}}

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.

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 and Uzhhorod (22 km).{{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}} After completion, Uzhhorod will become the first administrative center (oblast capital) of Ukraine connected to the EU by the standard gauge. The connection is planned to be opened in July 2025.https://www.unian.net/economics/transport/evrokoleya-es-dast-76-millionov-evro-na-dopolnitelnoe-zheleznodorozhnoe-soobshchenie-so-lvovom-novosti-lvova-13057989.html

In July 2025, the Ukrainian Railways announced that the EU committed the funding for the Standard gauge track from Poland to Lviv.https://mis.dp.ua/ru/novosti/ukrzalizniczya-poluchila-podderzhku-ot-es-dlya-stroitelstva-evrokolei-iz-lvova

=== 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. Although replacing the bogies would make wagons compatible with most Romanian and Bulgarian railways, '[Ukrainian] grain wagons have a width of 3,224 mm, while the maximum allowable one in many European countries is 3,150 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.' 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.

File:Europe rail electrification en.svg, Spain, Italy, United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium and Turkey operate under 25 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.{{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}}

In August 2022, a previously abandoned link between Basarabeasca (Moldova) and Berezyne (Ukraine) was rebuilt and reopened.{{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 }}{{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 }}

In October 2022 the border crossing from Rakhiv south to Valea Vișeului railway station in Romania (closed in 2011{{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}}) was reopened.{{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}}

In 2023 at Teresva a fourth rail connection between Ukraine and Romania opened.{{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}}

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.{{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}}

In October 2023, the Warsaw – Rava-Ruska connection was extended to Briukhovychi (just northwest of Lviv), and in November 2023 the new connection Chop – Prague was opened, thus adding two more standard-gauge rails from Ukraine to Poland and Czechia, respectively.{{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= }}

Railways in Ukraine use various gauge types. The broad gauge (1,520 mm), a legacy of Imperial Russian and Soviet times, dominates the landscape, and narrow-gauge railways (750 mm) also exist, but plans are being made to construct, restore or switch to more standard-gauge railways (1,435 mm) for better train connections with the rest of Europe. 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).

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 km in broad-gauge 1520 mm (excluding those located in temporarily occupied territory), about 350 km in standard-gauge 1435 mm, and about 400 km in narrow gauge 750 mm.

{{Sfn|EC|2023|p=18}}

As of 2020, the total length of the main broad-gauge (1,520 mm) railroad network was {{convert|19,787|km|mi}}.{{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}}

{{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.{{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}} 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; in May 2021, Ukrainian Railways started electrifying and modernising this route.{{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/}} Specialised freight fleets at Kovel station compatible with the European network had not been in use for almost 30 years, however. From Chop to Mukachevo and to the railway station at Nevetlenfolu (Diakovo) in Zakarpattia, large sections of rail track are of European width as well.

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

{{Main|Narrow-gauge railways in Ukraine}}

Various {{RailGauge|750mm}} gauge railways operate in Ukraine as common carrier, industrial railway or children's railways.

• {{flagicon|Belarus}} Belarus: same gauge, 1520mm broad. Closed and largely destoryed due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}

• {{flagicon|Hungary}} Hungary: Break-of-gauge: {{track gauge|1520mm}}/{{track gauge|sg}}
• Záhony-Chop railway station{{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}}

{{see also|Rail transport in Transnistria}}

• {{flagicon|Moldova}} Moldova: same gauge, 1520mm broad.
• There were two major rail links, both require transit through Transnistria, between Bender-Tiraspol-Kuchurgan and between Mateuți-Cobasna-Slobidka. closed due to rail bridge damaged by Ukraine in early 2022.{{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}}
• A previously abandoned link between Basarabeasca (Moldova) and Berezyne (Ukraine) that was rebuilt and reopened in August 2022.{{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 }}{{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 }}

• {{flagicon|Poland}} Poland. As of July 2023, there were seven railway crossings on the Polish-Ukrainian border.{{sfn|EC|2023|p=34–35}}
• Kovel and 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(-Volynskyi) via Ustyluh into Poland at Hrubieszów towards Sławków (near Katowice).{{sfn|EC|2023|p=34}}{{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}} 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}}

• {{flagicon|Romania}} Romania: Break-of-gauge: {{track gauge|1520mm}}/{{track gauge|sg}} As of July 2023, there were 6 border crossings between the two countries.{{sfn|EC|2023|p=36}}
• Rakhiv - Vișeului (closed in 2011, reopened in October 2022).
• Teresva - Câmpulung la Tisa.
• Vadul-Siret - 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}}

• {{flagicon|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 bridge since 2019,{{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}} as well as were Luhansk through Kherson since 2023,{{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}} they are cut from any Ukrainian Railways networks as being controlled by the so-called Railways of Novorossiya.

• {{flagicon|Slovakia}} Slovakia
• Košice (Slovakia) to Mukachevo (Ukraine) passenger service opened 2019 {{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}}
• Chop railway station to Čierna nad Tisou railway station{{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}}
• Uzhhorod–Košice broad-gauge track, a broad gauge cross-border cargo line.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}

{{main|List of railway stations in Ukraine}}

In 2020, there were 1,402 stations. Prior to the intensified Ukrainian derussification after the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine there were still renaming railway stops whose names indicate the distance to Moscow.{{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}}

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

The Beskydy Tunnel was inaugurated in May 2018, serving as the most important rail link between Ukraine and the 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).{{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}} 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 km/h to 70 km/h.{{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}}

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.{{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}}

In 2021, the line between Zhytomyr and Zviahel is planned to be modernized and electrified.{{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}}

The project envisages the electrification of the 30 km section between Taras Shevchenko (Smila) and Cherkasy stations, which is the only non-electrified section between Cherkasy and 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.{{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}} Ukrainian Railways plans to carry out service using Skoda City Elephant EJ675 double decker electric multiple units.{{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}}

{{More citations needed|section|date=January 2023}}

• 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.{{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}}

• 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}}

• 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}}

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

• Elektron, producer of tramways
• Yuzhmash (along with Tatra Yuga), producer of tramways{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}

{{See also|Railway Transport of Ukraine}}

• Ukrainian Research Institute of Railcar Construction,[http://ukrndiv.com.ua/ Official website]. Ukrainian Research Institute of Railcar Construction. Kremenchuk

• 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}}

{{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, Kharkiv and 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 railways.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}

• Transport in Ukraine

{{Notelist}}

{{reflist}}

• {{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}}