Ukraine‘s state-owned railway company Ukrzaliznytsia has said its online system was targeted by a large-scale cyberattack but claimed all its services remained ‘stable’.
In its Telegram post, Ukraine’s railway company said, “Online systems of Ukrzaliznytsia have been subjected to a large-scale targeted cyberattack. The restoration of all systems lasted all day and continues now.”
The company, however, experts are closely cooperating with the cyber department of the Security Service of Ukraine.
The railway company claimed its train service remained ‘stable’ and no delay has been reported.
“All operational processes of movement are set up in a backup format,” read the post on Telegram.
“The railway continues to move despite physical attacks on the infrastructure, and even the most vile cyberattacks cannot stop it,” the company said.
The railway said it is not selling tickets online at present.
Tickets Sold Offline
The railway company said tickets can be purchased from ‘ticket offices’ at present.
“As a last resort, if you do not have time to purchase a ticket through the ticket office, go directly to the train. Our train crews are informed how to arrange your travel on the spot (we apologize in advance, there may not be seats in all classes available, but we strive to transport everyone),” the Telegram post said.
The train service in Ukraine emerged as a major lifeline for travellers since Russia invaded the country in 2022 resulting in the closure of the airspace over the nation.
Tickets Can Be Returned
The operator also shared an elaborate way by which passengers who want to return their tickets can do it.
“Anyone who wants to return their train ticket departing on March 24 can do so online. It is enough to send us a scanned copy or a clear photo of your ticket and contact phone number to services.uz.gov.ua@gmail.com at least an hour before the departure of your flight. We will process the refund application within 3 days from the moment the systems are restored,” the Telegram post said.
Crowded Stations
Daryna Antoniuk, a journalist based in Ukraine, wrote in The Record online portal that Kyiv’s central railway station remained ‘unusually crowded’ on Monday.
Dozens of people were seen standing on long queues to purchase their tickets for domestic and international travelling.
“The railway is also used to evacuate injured civilians and soldiers, deliver humanitarian aid, food and medical supplies to war-affected regions, as well as export grain, metals and other goods to Europe,” the journalist wrote in her report published in The Record.
Traveller Expresses Frustration
Andrii, a local international relations student who declined to give his surname, told The Record he had planned to travel from Kyiv to his hometown of Lviv on Monday evening for a friend’s birthday but now expected delays because he couldn’t buy tickets online.
(With inputs from IBNS)
