Ukrzaliznytsia has prepared scenarios for winter operation from 2026 to 2027 years in the event of power outages and shelling.
Ukrzaliznytsia has prepared several scenarios for winter operation from 2026 to 2027 years in the event of power outages and attacks on railway infrastructure. On problematic sections, autonomous diesel locomotives will be deployed, and during prolonged power outages, suburban electric trains may be replaced by diesel trains. If train traffic on a section becomes impossible, transportation will be organized with local authorities using a "train plus bus" scheme.
"Ukrzaliznytsia" (Ukrainian Railways) has prepared several scenarios for winter operation from 2026 to 2027 years, in case of power outages, attacks on railway infrastructure, and damage to the contact network. Approximately 48% of railway tracks in Ukraine are electrified, so in the event of a power outage on problematic sections, autonomous diesel locomotives are planned to be deployed quickly.
During prolonged or large-scale power outages, suburban trains may be replaced by diesel trains. If the movement of trains along a certain section becomes impossible due to shelling, the company, in cooperation with local authorities, will organize combined transportation using the "train plus bus" scheme, сообщил Сергей Щур, head of the Strategic Communications Department of "Ukrzaliznytsia". This pilot format has already been in effect since October 1 for Lozova in Kharkiv region and Sumy. Due to the security situation, passenger train routes may be temporarily shortened, and movement will be restored after stabilization.
Separately, railway workers are preparing for situations where a train stops in the middle of its route due to a lack of power. Almost all passenger carriages, prepared for the winter season, are equipped with combined boilers: in normal operation, they run on the electrical grid, but during a power outage, they switch to autonomous heating using solid fuel. To this end, they have already prepared stockpiles of firewood and 13 thousand tons of coal.
A portion of the unused rolling stock has been repurposed into "Resilience Wagons" – equipped with autonomous heating, generator-powered charging stations, microwave ovens, refrigerators, and Starlink communication kits. At train stations across the country, approximately 100 resilience points with backup power, drinking water supplies, hot beverages, and communication capabilities will operate during the winter months.
At the main railway station in Odesa, alternative heating has already been installed in the waiting areas, a "Resilience Hub" with charging stations has been set up, and an underground protected shelter has been created, where ticket counters continue to sell tickets even during emergencies.