Ukraine’s Railway Controversy: Temporary Name Change of Kyiv–Kramatorsk Train to ‘Rebelia’ Sparks Debate
Recently, a controversial incident within Ukraine’s transportation sector has attracted public attention due to a symbolic initiative.
On October 1, Ukraine’s Defender’s Day, the train connecting Kyiv with Kramatorsk was temporarily renamed ‘Kyiv — Rebelia’.
The spokesperson for Ukrzaliznytsia explained that this choice was motivated by the symbolic meaning of resistance embedded in the name.
A group of local artists from the ‘MUR’ collective and actors from the play ‘Rebelia 1991’ arrived at the station to participate in the action.
The corresponding post appeared on Ukrzaliznytsia’s Instagram page and quickly sparked debates.
Some citizens supported the idea, seeing ‘Rebelia’ as a symbol of struggle and independence, while others questioned the connection between the term and the route to Kramatorsk.
Architecture expert Ulyana Djurlyak sharply criticized the move, calling it a devaluation of history and memory, emphasizing that ‘Kyiv — Kramatorsk’ is a ‘road of life,’ not a marketing ploy.
She questioned whether passengers, military personnel, and residents of the region were consulted before such an initiative.
Ukrzaliznytsia officially stated that the name change was a one-time artistic project, with no plans to alter the train’s official designation permanently.
The MUR collective clarified that their intention was to honor resistance and independence, not to diminish regional history.
The action received a positive response from some passengers at the station.
It is worth noting that ‘Rebelia (1991)’ refers not just to the name but also to an album and theatrical production by the band MUR, dedicated to Ukraine’s sixtiers and independence movement.
The name derives from ancient chronicles describing uprisings and protests.
Furthermore, Ukrzaliznytsia, in collaboration with RIBBON International, launched an art project transforming an Intercity train into a typographic installation inspired by the works of famous American conceptual artist Barbara Kruger, reflecting daily life in wartime Ukraine through rhythmic phrases and visual reflections.