The joint-stock company “Ukrainian Railways” reported a serious problem with the theft of track elements. In December last year alone, only the regional branch of the South-Western Railway suffered losses of almost UAH 340,000 (about $13,000).
According to the website of Ukrzaliznytsia, due to the theft of elements of the upper structure of the track by unknown people only in December 2020, the regional branch of the South-Western Railway suffered losses of almost 340 thousand UAH. Thus, on December 23, 2020, the following materials of the upper track structure were stolen at the Kalynivka-Turbiv section due to unauthorized intervention: 232 m of railway thread type 2A, 198 metal substrates 2A, 594 metal crutches, 16 metal overlays, 32 bolts assembled. The total weight of the stolen item is 10 tons.
In this regard, the railwaymen of the Kozyatyn detachment of paramilitary guards of the regional branch together with the police of Ukraine began to conduct operational and investigative measures and received information that the stolen railway tracks can be sold and are located at: st. Hrushevskoho, 19 (Kalynivka, Vinnytsia region). Here is the station Kalynivka-1 of the regional branch “South-Western Railway” joint-stock company “Ukrzaliznytsia”.
When checking the base of the rails were not found. But investigators were attracted by a car loaded with metal (sender – the firm “Vaitles”, Bila Tserkva). It was previously suspected that the stolen rails and parts of the upper structure of the track were placed at the bottom of the car. On December 30 last year, investigators from the Kalynivka Regional Police Department received a court ruling to search the car. On January 5, 2021, the railway forces, in the presence of the police, began unloading the search car. Overlays have already been found under the metal sheets.
“It should be emphasized that thefts and dismantling of the upper structure of the track are increasingly carried out by organized groups. Their actions lead to train disruptions and threaten the safe transportation process, causing significant material damage not only due to the need to restore the tracks, but also due to the delay in delivery of goods. The theft of equipment, on which the safe running of trains depends, is not only a threat to traffic, but also requires the involvement of additional human and material resources to restore the condition of the tracks,” – said in a statement.
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Translation: Evelina Susyk
