Ukraine rail workers receive British-funded food parcels

Nearly 7,500 food parcels have been delivered to Ukrainian Railway workers and their families, paid for by donations from British rail companies.

The food packages include daily essentials such as oil, sugar, flour, salt, pasta and rice.

Many Ukrainian railway employees live close to battle lines, while others have had to flee their homes. They have been widely praised for keeping trains running despite Russia frequently targeting public transport infrastructure and supply chains throughout the war. The railway is central to the country’s humanitarian and war effort.

The food has all been sourced in Ukraine, to support the economy by buying from local producers.

£106,000 was raised at an event last September, organised by industry trade body Rail Partners, together with passenger and freight operators.

The money went to the Global Ukraine Rail Task Force, which includes support from American, Norwegian and Swedish rail companies. The parcels have been distributed by the railway trade union.

Estimates for the number of rail workers killed during the war vary. Ukrainian Railway said in March that 601 had died. In May, the Global Ukraine Rail Task Force said that 1,460 workers had been wounded and 560 killed.

In January, Andy Bagnall from Rail Partners, Steve Montgomery from First Group and David Brown from Arriva Trains visited Kyiv to see the challenges faced by Ukraine rail staff.

Andy Bagnall said: “We are proud of the food aid that our fundraising has provided.

“It’s important for us to continue to show solidarity and to encourage colleagues from across the railway to help support Ukrainian Railway employees and their families.”