fight to survive
How important the railway chief suddenly is for Ukraine – and why Russia wants to kill him
Oleksandr Kamyshin, head of Ukraine’s railways, in August 2021. At the time, he probably had no idea what role he and the railways would play in the war with Russia.
© Photoshot / Picture Alliance
As the war in Ukraine escalates, Deutsche Bahn continues to strive for service. The Ukrainian railways and their boss Oleksandr Kamyshin plays an important role in this – with the constant risk of being killed by Russian troops.
“We have to be faster than the people who are trying to follow us,” Oleksandr Kamyshin told the BBC. That’s why he’s constantly changing his routes, trying never to stay in the same place for too long. He told CNN that “hours” is the longest time he and his team would be in one place. His bodyguards should offer him protection in a war situation. Because the chairman of the Ukrainian railway network is certain: the Russians would like to kill him.
Since the start of the Ukraine war on February 24, Kamyshin has become one of the most important figures in the country. He ensures that train traffic in Ukraine is maintained as far as possible. He travels a lot on trains himself, travels to different places to talk to employees, meets government officials and is in constant contact with the Ukrainian leadership. The 37-year-old last saw his wife and two young sons before the start of the Russian attack three weeks ago.
Railroad supported in Ukraine war
At the moment it is important to ensure rail traffic in Ukraine. Because the rail network – one of the largest in the world – has become a lifeline in the country. Many refugees use what is perhaps their last chance to escape the war. Kamyshin estimates that his staff have rescued 2.5 million people so far. “The decision to let as many people as possible on the trains was difficult because any unfortunate event would affect many more people,” said Kamyshin’s deputy Oleksandr Pertsovskyi, who is in charge of the company’s passenger services. Since the trains are completely overcrowded and there is also a risk that the tracks will be damaged, they run much more slowly.
At the same time, the railway also delivers tons of relief supplies to embattled areas. The need is particularly great in the area around the embattled port city of Mariupol, according to the Ukrainian side. A convoy of trucks with relief supplies is currently trying in vain to get into the city. The south-eastern Ukrainian port city has been completely surrounded by Russian troops for two weeks. According to aid organizations, around 400,000 people are stuck without running water or heating, and food is becoming scarce. The situation is also considered catastrophic in other Ukrainian cities, such as Izyum in the north-east of the country.
Ukraine exports by rail
In addition, the trains bring troops to the front and converted wagons transport the wounded to hospitals. Since the Russian army is blocking the most important ports in the south of the country, through which almost 95 percent of agricultural products are normally exported, Kamyshin changes his plans. “Instead of the seaports, we’re going west,” he said. The railroad thus exports everything that Ukraine can produce under the conditions of war. Kamyshin further explained: “We have started a program to relocate production from East to West. This way we can relocate people, ideas, plans and maybe machines to set up a new production in the West.”
In a phone call with Poland’s infrastructure minister, the Ukrainian rail chief said: “Thank you for your support. But I also have one request: help us build trade between Ukraine and Poland.” Kamyshin wants to set up a joint venture with Poland to export Ukrainian goods to the West.
Train timetables have to be constantly changed due to attacks
But the situation in Ukraine is dangerous and unpredictable. Due to the Russian attacks, the train timetables are updated every night for the following day and adapted to local developments. “They attack our tracks every day. They attack the train stations. Our people risk their lives. They are under fire,” Kamyshin said. Since the war began, Russian troops have killed 33 railway workers and injured 24 others. Most of the staff have no military experience, yet they are now tasked with repairing tracks amid Russian shelling.
The fact that the system is still working “is surprising for the whole country and also for the president,” said Kamyshin. After all, communication is also significantly restricted on a moving train due to the often poor or non-existent mobile reception. Although Elon Musk is making his Starlink satellite internet service available to Ukraine, the railway company would only turn it on if it was absolutely desperate. Because the satellites make it easier for the enemy to determine their location, so the explanation.
Stopping train service in the country is not an option for Kamyshin. “We will keep the trains running for as long as possible. There is no other option for us.”
Swell: “BBC“, “CNN“, with material from dpa, afp