Ukraine's railway system is facing an unprecedented challenge: a combination of combat losses and critical physical wear is creating an acute shortage of passenger wagons. The situation is exacerbated by regular Russian attacks on infrastructure and rolling stock, while the average age of wagons exceeds 35 years.
Scale of Destruction and Wear
According to official data from Ukrzaliznytsia, since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the railway network has become one of the main targets for Russian artillery and drones. Since February 24, 2022, more than 5,400 shelling incidents have been recorded, resulting in damage to over 25,800 infrastructure objects.
The damage to passenger transport has been colossal. During the hostilities, 46 passenger wagons were completely destroyed. Another 200 units of rolling stock sustained damage and require major repairs. However, the threat comes not only from enemy shelling. A significant part of the fleet is on the verge of being scrapped due to natural aging.
The average age of passenger wagons in Ukraine is 35.4 years, and their wear level has reached 74.2%. Another 1,050 wagons are awaiting technical inspection, after which they may be taken out of service as unsuitable.
Recovery Strategy and Procurement
To overcome the crisis, Ukrzaliznytsia is implementing a comprehensive fleet renewal program that combines the repair of existing wagons with the purchase of new ones. In 2026, the repair of 1,184 passenger wagons is planned. It is noted that all work will be carried out by the own production units of the "Passenger Company" branch without the involvement of third-party contractors.
At the same time, a state program for the procurement of new rolling stock is in effect. For the period from 2025 to 2028, the purchase of 366 new wagons is planned, with 100 units planned to be bought annually. The cost of procurement is determined through open tenders and varies depending on the type of wagon — compartment, SV (first class), or inclusive.
The renewal process has already been launched: in 2024–2025, the carrier received 66 new wagons of Ukrainian production, ordered back in 2023. In 2025, a contract for the production of another 100 wagons has already been signed, with 60 of them scheduled to be put into operation in the current year.
Fighting Shortages and Schedule Adjustments
High demand for railway transport, especially during the summer season, forces the company to maximize the use of available rolling stock. In June, the fleet was replenished with six new wagons and three modernized children's wagons. This allowed for a partial relief of tension on popular routes. For example, on the Kyiv — Lviv route, the ratio of demand to supply was reduced from 5:1 to 4:1.
Nevertheless, a shortage of seats persists. The company regularly adjusts train schedules, taking into account safety, passenger flow, and network capacity. Ukrzaliznytsia assures that it is doing everything possible to maintain stable communication between regions and does not allow groundless cancellations of flights.
Separately, it is worth noting the situation with comfort. Despite the summer heat, the carrier continues to use wagons without air conditioning. The company explains this by the fact that abandoning such wagons would only exacerbate the ticket shortage, while the full modernization of the fleet requires significant time and resources.
