On March 24, Ukrainian Railways’ chairman Oleksandr Pertsovskyi announced that 4,000 railway workers have completed training on safe evacuation procedures. This initiative comes in response to a surge in Russian attacks on railway infrastructure.
The training program covers not only evacuation techniques but also medical preparedness and emergency response actions during incidents such as fires. Pertsovskyi highlighted that since the onset of the full-scale invasion, there have been 4,998 attacks on railway facilities, including trains and stations, with 10% occurring in the last four months alone.
Pertsovskyi noted, “The number of attacks is increasing, particularly in spring, as the focus shifts from energy facilities to transport infrastructure. All railway directions have united to create an effective threat monitoring and rapid response system. We have a traffic management center with a dedicated central monitoring team and 15 monitoring teams in operation.”
In the coming days, safety guidelines for evacuation will be placed in every passenger carriage, and these will also be available on Ukrainian Railways’ social media platforms.
He explained the dangers of being inside a train during an attack, stating, “A train can become a trap when it is hit, as metal bends quickly, fires can start, and harmful chemicals can be released. The options for escape are significantly reduced inside the train. Outside, even at a short distance, there are opportunities to run away or lie down. We advise against gathering near the train.”
When asked about evacuation procedures for suburban trains, Pertsovskyi indicated that actions would depend on the specific situation in the area. He noted that suburban trains, especially in frontline territories, are already being stopped due to drone surveillance. He added, “Unfortunately, electric and diesel trains are becoming targets even more than long-distance trains. In urban areas, they will be adapted to the situation.”
Ukrainian Railways has established a monitoring center that alerts train drivers and conductors about potential threats. Once notified, they have 20 minutes to announce and execute an evacuation. Conductors shared their experiences, revealing that evacuations typically take 7-8 minutes, although some passengers resist leaving. Conductor Oleksandr Koreshkov stated, “We evacuate all passengers, leaving the doors open so that anyone who hears the alarm can escape.”
Additionally, Ukrainian Railways, in collaboration with partners, is providing free hot meals for passengers who may be evacuated for several hours. Food will be available at the next stop, and local administrations are arranging buses to transport evacuees.
Russian forces continue to target Ukrainian Railways’ infrastructure, resulting in strikes on passenger trains as well.
Ukrainian Railways has trained 4,000 employees in safe evacuation procedures due to increased Russian attacks on railway infrastructure. The initiative includes emergency response training and aims to enhance passenger safety amid ongoing threats.