---
title: "Unexpected Mushroom Picking During Evacuation: How Ukrzaliznytsia Passengers Lifted Their Spirits"
description: "Ukrzaliznytsia evacuation train passengers unexpectedly went mushroom picking during a stop to relieve stress. The steward's unusual initiative helped people distract themselves and ease the atmosphere."
date: 2026-09-30T16:46:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/ukrzaliznytsia-passengers-mushroom-picking-evacuation
tags: [ukrzaliznytsia, evacuation, train, mushrooms, ukraine]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Unexpected Mushroom Picking During Evacuation: How Ukrzaliznytsia Passengers Lifted Their Spirits

![Evacuation train passengers picking mushrooms](https://xab.info/media/2026/09/30/kak-passazhiri-uz-sobrali-gribi-vo-vremya-evakuacii/kak-passazhiri-uz-sobrali-gribi-vo-vremya-evakuacii-1.webp)

## 🎯 Key Points

- Senior steward Oleh Bashynskyi invited evacuation train passengers to search for mushrooms
- Coffee and a hot dog were promised for the first found mushroom
- Passengers got so carried away they had to be gathered back into the carriages
- Ukrzaliznytsia management rewarded the train crew for the initiative

During a scheduled evacuation of Ukrzaliznytsia passenger trains, an unusual and inspiring story unfolded, quickly going viral on social media. Due to a complex operational environment and constant threats, people were forced to leave their homes under severe stress and fatigue. To ease the oppressive atmosphere inside the carriages, the train crew led by senior steward Oleh Bashynskyi made a non-standard decision, unexpectedly diverting the exhausted passengers' attention to "quiet hunting" right during a sanitary stop.

### An Unusual Initiative by the Senior Steward

The idea of sending passengers to search for mushrooms came to Oleh Bashynskyi spontaneously. Later, the railway worker admitted that he had long dreamed of picking mushrooms, but could never have imagined it would happen during an evacuation run. To boost people's morale, he promised a special bonus—a cup of hot coffee and a hot dog—to the passenger who found an edible mushroom first. This gamified element worked instantly, turning tense waiting into a fun and exciting quest.

### Evacuation Through the Lens of Excitement and Smiles

The initiative sparked a lively reaction among the passengers. According to other crew members, stewards Svitlana Danylenko and Viktoriia Zhylenko, people became so engrossed in the process that once the immediate danger had passed, they literally had to be rounded up and brought back to the carriages. However, no one was upset: participants noted that they managed to distract themselves from heavy thoughts and lift their spirits. Soon, the story gained traction on Threads, where users began sharing photos of their forest finds, including large porcini mushrooms.

### Contradictory Data

It is worth noting that parallel reports of a completely different nature concerning the operation of the Ukrainian railway carrier during this period are circulating in the information space. On the one hand, official entertainment channels and social media accounts of Ukrzaliznytsia broadcast positive cases of psychological relief for passengers and the unification of people through spontaneous mini-games. On the other hand, news reports record extremely severe humanitarian and military challenges: regular reports from specialized agencies and media indicate risks and shelling of passenger infrastructure. The contrast between the harsh reality of evacuation under wartime conditions and heartwarming stories about mushroom picking emphasizes the multifaceted nature of the current situation in the country.

### Management's Reaction and Results of the Campaign

The management of Ukrzaliznytsia highly praised the resourcefulness and empathy of the train crew. For successfully organizing psychological relief and showing initiative, the staff received special commendations. Such humane actions demonstrate that even in the darkest times, professionalism and care for passengers can work wonders, restoring people's faith in goodness and helping them overcome any trials.

## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification

- [Не планировали, но "душу отвели": как пассажиры УЗ собирали грибы во время эвакуации (видео)](https://styler.rbc.ua/ukr/trends/planuvali-ale-dushu-vidveli-k-pasazhiri-uz-1790784437.html) - Основной источник истории про сбор грибов пассажирами УЗ
- [Эвакуация пассажиров: новые правила для Укрзализныци](https://korrespondent.net/ukraine/4867410-evakuatsyia-passazhyrov-novye-pravyla-dlia-ukrzalyznytsy) - Контекст правил эвакуации УЗ
- [РФ трижды за день ударила по пассажирским поездам "Укрзализныци": есть раненые и погибшие](https://www.unian.net/economics/transport/ukrzaliznycya-pod-rossiyskim-udarom-utrom-rf-atakovala-tri-passazhirskih-poezda-13493583.html) - Контекст военных реалий и рисков на железной дороге

## ❓ FAQ

### Q: Who suggested picking mushrooms during the evacuation?
**A:** The initiative was proposed by Ukrzaliznytsia senior steward Oleh Bashynskyi.

### Q: What prize was promised for the first found mushroom?
**A:** The passenger was promised a cup of coffee and a hot dog.