Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to make a historic visit to Ukraine this week, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister in over 30 years. The visit, at the invitation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, comes amidst the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and just six weeks after Modi’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
Modi’s journey to Kyiv will take an unusual route: he will travel from Poland aboard the ‘Rail Force One’, a diesel-powered train that gained notoriety when US President Joe Biden used it for his surprise visit to Kyiv in February 2023. This train, operated by Ukrzaliznytsia (Ukrainian Railways), has become a vital mode of transportation for world leaders traveling to Ukraine amidst the war, providing a safe and secure route despite the ongoing conflict.
The ‘Rail Force One’ is equipped with wood-panelled cabins, a long table, a sofa, and a TV, offering executive-level comfort for its passengers. While Biden found the long journey challenging, he utilized the time to reflect on his history with Kyiv and read a briefing memo on the city’s history.
The train has become a favored mode of transportation for numerous world leaders visiting Ukraine. It was first used by the Prime Ministers of Poland, Slovenia, and the Czech Republic in March 2022, followed by visits from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, among others. Even Hollywood actor Sean Penn and music superstar Bono of U2 have traveled to Kyiv on this train.
The choice of train travel for world leaders stems from the closure of Ukrainian airspace since the Russian invasion in February 2022, making air travel impossible. Additionally, many roads are inaccessible due to heavy fighting, leaving the railway as the most reliable option for reaching Kyiv.
Ukrainian railway officials, despite the challenges posed by the war, have worked tirelessly to keep the trains running, transporting over four million refugees and more than 330,000 metric tons of humanitarian aid. Some trains have even been refitted as mobile medical facilities, evacuating over 2,500 civilians for medical treatment in 2022.
While the ‘Rail Force One’ provides a safe passage, the journey is not without risk. Russian missile strikes continue to target railway tracks, bridges, and stations, aiming to disrupt arms supplies and impede transportation. Despite these challenges, Ukraine’s vast rail network, the 12th largest in the world, remains operational, serving as a lifeline for the nation.
The ‘Rail Force One’ highlights the resilience of Ukraine’s railway network, its vital role in supporting the country during the war, and its significance as a conduit for international diplomacy.
