PRESS RELEASE : Ukrainian railway workers demonstrated courage and strength in the defense of our state – President [November 2022]

The press release issued by the President of Ukraine on 4 November 2022.

On the occasion of Railway Workers’ Day, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with employees of Ukrzaliznytsia JSC and presented state awards.

“Together we have endured 254 days of full-scale invasion. And not only what we have endured during this time is important, but also the fact that we have preserved our humanity, the ability to help each other despite everything,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

As the Head of State emphasized, thanks to the work of the Ukrainian railway, thousands of lives were saved, while the railway workers worked under enemy fire.

“The work of the Ukrainian railway demonstrates this very well – it demonstrates how you protected our state during these more than eight months,” the President said.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that from the first hours of the full-scale Russian invasion, railway workers managed to reorganize their work in accordance with the new conditions, which made it possible to maintain the efficiency of transportation.

According to the Head of State, since the beginning of the full-scale Russian aggression, thanks to the work of railway workers, millions of Ukrainians have been evacuated from the war zones.

“The defense of our state is fully ensured. Our economy is supported. Hundreds of thousands of jobs in various sectors of the economy depend on the clarity of work of each and every one of you. And this is the well-being of millions of people,” the President is convinced.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted the significant contribution of Ukrzaliznytsia to overcoming the fuel crisis and noted that the company’s employees currently help fight the aggressor’s energy terror.

The Head of State emphasized that after the liberation of the occupied territories, railway workers are trying to restore connections with the cities and districts from which the enemy was ousted as fast as possible.

“The work of our railway workers fully reflects the Ukrainian spirit – courage, zeal, selfless work, confidence that we will not give up our freedom to anyone,” the President stated.

Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine Oleksandr Kubrakov noted that with the beginning of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation, Ukrzaliznytsia managed to adjust its work extremely quickly in accordance with the needs of the martial law.

“The transition to military rails happened very quickly. A lot has been done since February 24. This is both evacuation and support for the entire economy. We needed many things from the point of view of our exports. When the ports did not work, the railway worked, when there was no export of agricultural products by sea, the railway exported,” he said.

Oleksandr Kamyshin, Chairman of the Board at JSC “Ukrzaliznytsia”, noted that “iron” has become a national resource of Ukraine. The railway helps the Ukrainian army, in particular, more than 10,000 anti-tank hedgehogs were made from railway tracks throughout the country.

“When the war started, all railway workers from day one were doing what we now call “the backbone of the country’s security.” More than 4 million people were evacuated. Over a million children and over 120,000 pets. We saved everyone, everything we could,” said the head of Ukrzaliznytsia.

Also, according to him, Ukrzaliznytsia transported more than 300,000 tons of humanitarian cargo.

“Iron diplomacy” has become a good support for the President’s diplomatic front and has transported more than 200 delegations to date,” noted Oleksandr Kamyshin.

He said that despite the challenges of the war, constant enemy shelling of the railway infrastructure, the execution of the schedule of train movement is more than 85%.

“We will definitely be able to provide quality service to our citizens,” assured the Chairman of the Board of Ukrzaliznytsia.

The President of Ukraine thanked the railway workers for their selfless work.

“Glory to all our warriors who are fighting on the frontline! Glory to all our railway workers who are fighting at their workplaces,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

He presented state awards to the employees of Ukrzaliznytsia, who were celebrated for their personal contribution to the development of railway transport, dedication and high professionalism demonstrated in ensuring the functioning of railway infrastructure facilities under martial law.

“People on the ground showed real heroism. And today we will celebrate such people with awards. I will do it with honor and pleasure,” the Head of State emphasized.