The International Union of Railways has suspended the membership of companies from Russia and Belarus which are under international sanctions following the invasion of Ukraine. This includes Russian Railways.

On March 8 UIC said it was committed to enabling international railway co-operation with the values of ‘unity, solidarity and universality’.

It expressed solidarity with the people of Ukraine, and its ‘strongest support’ for national railway Ukrzaliznytsia, which it said was continuing to operate under ‘extremely difficult’ conditions. UIC also drew attention to the efforts being made by other railway companies to transport civilians away from the front lines.

In response to the current situation, UIC has established a refugee task force under the leadership of Passenger Director Marc Guigon. This is intended to facilitate the exchange of information on handling flows of refugees, providing information to refugees and railway operators, and ensuring security for railways.