Ukraine restores railway in recaptured Kharkiv

Oleksandr Kamyshin, chief executive of Ukrainian Railways, spoke as he travelled by train through the Kupiansk railway hub, once used by Russian troops to resupply their frontline before the area was liberated by Ukrainian forces.

Kupiansk was one of an array of settlements that Ukrainian troops recaptured during a surprise counteroffensive that caught Russian forces off-guard in September.

Kamyshin said the railway infrastructure had suffered huge damage and full recovery would take years and significant funds.

The railways have played a major role since Russia invaded its neighbour on Feb. 24. Millions of Ukrainians fled west by train into Poland and beyond. Trains are also supplying the frontlines.