Stadler-Schreck Alexander Kamyshin has a new job

The toughest train operator in the world is leaving: Alexander Kamyshin (38), CEO of the Ukrainian railways and head of more than 230,000 employees, has submitted his resignation to the responsible minister of Transport. Just a week ago, Kamyshin organized the historic and risky train journey of US President Joe Biden (80) to Kiev and back, which garnered international acclaim.

At the end of January, he received Blick in his office in Kiev. “Our iron men and women are the second army of the country. Without them, Ukraine would no longer exist,” said Kamyshin. Since the summer of 2021 he has led the state railway company Ukrsalisnyzja, first on an interim basis and officially from April 2022.

New top job in the EU

When asked by Blick, he did not want to reveal why Kamyshin is leaving now. But one thing is clear: the giant with the long black hair will continue to play a central role in the Ukrainian railways in the future: “I am moving to the EU and taking over the EU integration office of the Ukrainian railways”, said the minister. Kamyshin on Monday night. He has agreed this with the responsible minister of transport.

The better integration of Ukrainian railways into the European transport network is crucial for the country. In 2022 alone, the railway carried more than 150 million tons of goods in and out of Ukraine – despite the war.

After the outbreak of war, about four million people fled Ukraine by train. A large part of the weapons and tanks from the west enter the country by train. And after the war, new international train services will bring adventurous tourists to the vast Eastern European country. The cult travel guide Lonely Planet has just chosen the newly opened train route between the Moldovan capital Chisinau and Kiev as one of the most beautiful on the entire continent.

New opportunity for Stadler Rail in Ukraine?

In one of his last speeches before his resignation, Kamyshin thanked Switzerland on Twitter for the financial support for the purchase of new rail clamps. The Ukrainian railways want to use the products of the Schwihag company from Thurgau to repair the destroyed sections of track.

But the Bahn boss did not get along with all Swiss companies. Kamyshin recently sharply criticized the Swiss train manufacturer Stadler Rail for continuing to have a business in Belarus. As long as a company pays taxes in Belarus, it indirectly supports Russian troops, who launched attacks on Ukraine from Belarus, Kamyshin said. Ukraine is therefore not interested in talks about a possible delivery of new trains. Stadler points out that production in Belarus has actually been halted and that he is always happy to discuss new trains with Ukraine.

It is not yet known who will take Kamyshin’s place and hold any talks with Stadler.

Source: Blick