Ukrzaliznytsia is starting a complex de-Russification program called “Rail Ukrainization”.
The goal of the program is not to change the usual Russian symbols or names, but to fundamentally change the Ukrainian railway. The procedure of getting rid of the Russian trace is calculated for 2023-2025.
In general, the changes will concern the following:
- Names of railways
- Mileage mark
- Signal marks
- Soviet bas-reliefs and station names
As an example of names, Ukrzaliznytsia cites the Southern Railway, which is located in the north of Ukraine. In fact, this name is due to the origin of the location on the territory of the long-lost Russian Empire and the USSR.
The situation is similar with the South-Western Railway, which stretches from Chernihiv Oblast to Podillia.
At the same time, stations such as Zhovtneva, Kolhospna, and Radhospna will disappear. And the Russian names of Ukrainian cities will be removed from the facades of the stations. At the same time, there will be no Russian inscriptions on the carriages or in the passenger tickets.
No less important will be the change in mileage. The mark 856 will no longer be found in the Kyiv region, because in Soviet times, mileage counting started from Moscow. Now there will be a countdown from the capital of Ukraine.
Finally, Ukrzaliznytsia plans to gradually move away from the Soviet system of railway markings and signals to the pan-European one. This applies not only to the visual appearance but also to the technical aspects.
Ukrzaliznytsia and the Club 4 Paws animal feed brand provided 11 railway stations in Ukraine with convenient drinking water dispensers for animals traveling by train.
