Since the beginning of the war, Ukrainian railway workers have played an important role in keeping critical infrastructure operational. A special paramilitary unit of Ukrzaliznytsia is tasked with protecting infrastructure, cargo, and the Ukrainian people. Railway Supply magazine shares information about this division with a link to RailTech.

paramilitary unit of UZ
Picture: Prydniprovska Railway

The paramilitary unit at Ukrzaliznytsia is not something new. It has existed since the 1990s. Its task was to protect goods and materials from theft. For example, in 2020, on the Prydniprovska railway alone, paramilitary guards managed to stop more than 400 cases of criminal attacks on goods and save more than 4.3 million hryvnias (121,000 euros) in property from thieves. As of 2020, paramilitary guards have also been added to passenger trains to improve security on trains.

With the Russian invasion in 2022, the tasks of the paramilitary guards were expanded to counter military threats and protect the people. In March of this year, Ukrzaliznytsia posted a message on Telegram stating that, together with the military, they detained two Russian saboteurs who worked in Kyiv and handed them over to the relevant authorities.

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Earlier this month, paramilitaries of the Southern, Prydniprovska and Odesa railways received new bulletproof vests and first aid kits, Ukrzaliznytsia reported.
“We continue to recruit employees of departmental security. Particular attention is paid to those who guard critical infrastructure facilities and cargo near the front line,” said Vladimir Aleksandrov, executive director of the Departmental Military Guard of UZ. These tasks are dangerouss, since infrastructure is an important target for Russians. This week Kharkiv again came under heavy shelling, including damage to the railway infrastructure.

paramilitary unit of UZ
Picture: Odessa Railway

Some railway divisions are involved in the elimination and prevention of fire. This is also included in the tasks of the paramilitary unit. In total, there are 46 fire trains in the Ukrzaliznytsia fleet. During the full-scale war, they have already been involved 61 times to fight fires, accidents and the consequences of Russian shelling.

Ukrzaliznytsia received modern fire-fighting equipment from foreign organizations United Help Ukraine, Help Razom and the Ukrainian Cultural and Humanitarian Institute. In particular, the firefighters of Odesa, Kryviy Rog and Kharkiv were given modern protective clothing, helmets, respirators and foam generators in canisters.

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