International Activities

International services

The national epidemiological security measures introduced in 2020 by the governments of the Russian Federation and foreign countries in connection with the spread of COVID-19 continued in 2021.

For reference: On 27 March 2020, the Government of the Russian Federation temporarily suspended all international passenger railway traffic (Order No. 763-r dated 27 March 2020).

The work related to the resumption of international and interstate train services was carried out by the Operational Headquarters for the Prevention of the Introduction and Spread of New Coronavirus Infection in the Russian Federation (hereinafter referred to as the Headquarters), chaired by Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation T. Golikova, together with the Parent Company. On 8 February 2021, on the basis of the Headquarters’ submission, a phased restoration of railway communication with the Republic of Belarus began.

The project to organise high-speed links between Moscow and Minsk using Lastochka electric trains is of particular note. The train started running in April 2021 in a five-car version, and from autumn of the same year the number of carriages was increased to ten.

This project is a landmark for interstate transportation and successful in terms of competitiveness with alternative modes of transport. The Lastochka trains between Moscow and Minsk are in active demand, despite the current anti-pandemic measures.

From 2020, passenger rail service between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Abkhazia has been opened, and the practice of appointing trains formed by JSC Uzbekistan Temir Yullari to take citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan out of the territory of the Russian Federation has continued.

At the end of 2021, 1,750,325 people were carried in interstate traffic, which amounted to 142.5% of the 2020 traffic volume.

Cooperation within international organisations

JSC FPC cooperation with foreign partners in 2021 focused on sharing best practices in organising passenger services during the pandemic and on potential procedures for restoring international rail passenger services after restrictions are fully or partially lifted.

This work was backed up by international professional and supranational organisations that collected and analysed data from railway administrations and carriers. These efforts resulted in recommendations on passenger safety and restoring international rail passenger services.

Importantly, the measures taken by JSC FPC to protect the health of its passengers and employees were exhaustive and proved effective at the height of the pandemic. Domestic experience will also be used in restoring international services.

Regarding the restoration of international rail services, JSC FPC plans to gradually assign international trains taking into account demand, cost-effectiveness and optimal use of infrastructure capacity.

In 2021, ongoing projects in international passenger service regulation continued as planned using videoconferencing channels.