Southern Railways (Ukraine)

Southern Railways (Ukrainian: Південна залізниця, Pivdenna zaliznytsia) is a railway network operating in northeastern Ukraine. It is one of the six territorial railway administrations that make up the Ukrzaliznytsia (Ukrainian Railways) system. The administration's headquarters are located in Kharkiv, the second-largest city in Ukraine.

The Southern Railways network covers the Kharkiv, Poltava, Sumy, and parts of the Chernihiv, Luhansk, and Dnipropetrovsk regions of Ukraine. It provides both passenger and freight transportation services, connecting the region to other parts of Ukraine and to international destinations.

Key railway junctions within the Southern Railways network include Kharkiv-Pasazhyrskyi (Kharkiv Passenger), Poltava-Kyivska, Sumy, Kupiansk-Vuzlovyi, and Lozova. These junctions serve as important hubs for transferring passengers and freight between different railway lines.

The Southern Railways plays a crucial role in the Ukrainian economy, facilitating the movement of goods and people throughout the region. It is responsible for maintaining the railway infrastructure within its territory, including tracks, stations, and rolling stock. The organization also oversees the implementation of safety regulations and the training of railway personnel.

The Southern Railways, like other parts of Ukrzaliznytsia, has faced challenges in recent years, including the need for modernization, competition from other modes of transport, and the impact of conflict in eastern Ukraine. However, it continues to be an essential part of the country's transportation infrastructure.