Ukrzaliznytsia plans major expansion of high-speed trains and regional connections across Ukraine
Ukraine’s national railway company endeavors to significantly expand and improve its network of high-speed passenger trains operating within the country.
According to the company’s CEO, Oleksandr Persovskyi, over the next three years, the share of such trains is expected to grow from the current 12–15% to approximately 30%, and within five years — up to 40%.
This ambitious initiative involves not only increasing the variety and availability of high-speed services but also enhancing their efficiency and renewing rolling stock.
To achieve this, annual procurement of at least 100 new carriages is planned from 2026 to 2028.
Furthermore, the company aims to develop regional routes by launching electric trains on routes such as Kyiv–Vinnytsia, Kyiv–Cherkasy, Kyiv–Rivne–Lutsk, and diesel trains on lines like Lviv–Yasinya, Lviv–Chernivtsi, Khmelnytskyi–Vinnytsia.
The leadership emphasizes that accelerated implementation depends on government support, including funding for the purchase of 20 modern Hyundai electric trains and repair of existing rolling stock.
Addressing ticket shortages, especially during peak periods, is also a priority, as current rolling stock has decreased significantly.
Since 2019, over one thousand passenger cars have been retired — 28 destroyed, 265 on occupied territories, and 794 reaching their service limits.
Currently, the fleet has shrunk to 1,488 units, with more than one hundred potentially ceasing operation by late 2025–2026, calling for active modernization and expansion efforts.