Ukrzaliznytsia steps up mechanisation and renews specialised equipment for track and power workers: Ministry for Communities and Territories Development

Ukrzaliznytsia has taken delivery of new equipment for track maintenance crews and power engineers as part of a programme to modernise and mechanise its infrastructure divisions. The programme is being implemented on the initiative of Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration of Ukraine and Minister for Communities and Territories Development Oleksii Kuleba.

“For almost five years no small-scale mechanisation equipment had been purchased. This summer we launched a centralised, systematic three-year renewal programme for the infrastructure divisions. Today Ukrzaliznytsia has received another batch of new machines. This reduces manual labour, eases working conditions for track workers and power engineers, and enables faster and safer restoration of infrastructure that is constantly coming under enemy attack,” Oleksii Kuleba said.

Track maintenance teams have received 20 new hopper-dosers built at Ukrzaliznytsia’s own facilities, with another 30 to be produced by the end of the year. They have also been supplied with more than 1,000 items of small-scale mechanisation equipment, including rail cutters, rail drills, electric tampers, brush-cutters, impact wrenches and rail tensioners – many of them made by Ukrainian manufacturers.

The new equipment significantly reduces physical strain on workers and speeds up tasks. In addition, power engineers have received a new telescopic aerial platform for rapid repair of high-voltage lines after attacks, while track teams have been given Ukrainian-made tractors fitted with mulchers for clearing vegetation from the right-of-way.

Deputy Minister for Communities and Territories Development Oleksii Balesta attended the handover ceremony, thanked railway workers for their resilience and presented ministerial awards to staff.

“Construction, repair and maintenance of infrastructure are among the toughest jobs on the railway and demand enormous physical effort from track workers and power engineers. We must make their work easier and equip them with modern machinery. Infrastructure is strategically vital for the country, and the speed with which it is restored after attacks directly affects traffic and safety. Investing in mechanisation means supporting our people and the resilience of the sector,” Oleksii Balesta said.

By the end of 2025 Ukrzaliznytsia will deliver a total of 1,832 items of small-scale mechanisation equipment to its divisions – the first wave of a large-scale renewal that is already strengthening the capabilities of track workers. Between 2026 and 2028 the company plans to procure a further 9,564 units, which will fully meet the needs of the entire network’s track maintenance divisions.

Oleksii Kuleba thanked the railway workers who keep the network running every day – the trackmen, foremen, drivers, repair crews, fitters and electricians.

“Their work is the foundation of our transport system’s resilience during the war. I have personally seen the difficult conditions in which they operate on the front line of repairs and how much is still done by hand. Our key task, therefore, is to provide them with equipment that allows them to work more safely, efficiently and quickly. Despite all the challenges, we will continue and step up the pace,” Oleksii Kuleba said.