On the occasion of Railway Workers Day, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated the employees of Ukrzaliznytsia, awarding them with the Order of Merit of the III degree and conferring the honorary title of «Honored Worker of Transport of Ukraine».

«The Ukrainian railway is recovering from severe blows, maintaining essential routes, and ensuring the transportation of people and goods. Since the beginning of the year, Ukrzaliznytsia has transported over 135 million tons of cargo, and over 90% of Ukrainian passenger trains arrive on time, strictly according to schedule, even in extraordinary circumstances due to enemy shelling», – noted the President.

Volodymyr Zelensky also highlighted the humanitarian functions of Ukrzaliznytsia: more than 3650 medical train trips have been made to rescue injured Ukrainian defenders and evacuate people from combat zones. Additionally, the railway workers perform a diplomatic role, facilitating over 1100 trips for foreign leaders and officials to Ukraine.

The President assured that the state will increase salaries and support programs for Ukrzaliznytsia.

«In fact, the railway is a line of defense for our state, our people, our lives. A line that is daily under Russian strikes. Unfortunately, there have been losses among our railway workers – 948 individuals, of whom 753 gave their lives for all of us, for Ukraine as part of the Defense Forces», – emphasized Volodymyr Zelensky.

A moment of silence was held in memory of all the fallen railway workers.

Vice Prime Minister for the Restoration of Ukraine – Minister of Community and Territorial Development Oleksiy Kuleba, a member of the supervisory board of Ukrzaliznytsia, Strategic Advisor to the President Oleksandr Kamyshin, and Chairman of the Board of Ukrzaliznytsia Oleksandr Pertzovsky presented the President with a new sleeper car, as well as the first barrier-free car fully equipped for people with disabilities. Currently, Ukrzaliznytsia has 52 cars adapted for transporting passengers in wheelchairs.

Additionally, an artistic train car showcasing photographs of the courage and resilience of the Ukrainian people was presented to Volodymyr Zelensky.

The President also spoke with employees of the Food Train, which provides meals to residents of cities affected by Russian shelling in the absence of electricity.