PM Modi to board luxurious Train Force One from Poland to Ukrainian capital Kyiv. Here are its features

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will board Train Force One, the luxury train from Poland to travel to the Ukrainian capital Kyiv on Friday (Aug 23).

World leaders such as US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron have used the train previously for their trips to Kyiv.

The ‘Force One’ features striking interiors that match its prestigious guest list. The train boasts wood-panelled cabins designed for both work and relaxation.

Amenities include a large table for important meetings, a plush sofa, and a wall-mounted TV. The sleeping arrangements are also carefully designed for maximum comfort.

It may be mentioned herethat PM Modi will visit Ukraine on August 23. This marks the first visit by an Indian leader since the Russian invasion began in 2022. The visit is expected to last approximately seven hours, with nearly 20 hours dedicated to train travel.

Notably, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky often uses the railway network for his international diplomatic trips.

Trains remain operational despite threats

Russia's attacks on Ukraine's power grids and generation facilities have forced the country to switch from electric to diesel locomotives. This change has resulted in slower train travel between the Polish border and Kyiv."

These luxury carriages were originally built in 2014 for tourists in Crimea and later were repurposed after Russia's annexation to transport world leaders and VIPs through a war-torn country.

Under Oleksandr Kamyshin's leadership, the Ukrainian railway system has successfully maintained train operations with minimal delays, despite ongoing threats and frequent power outages.

He gained prominence for managing a rail system that has evacuated millions fleeing west, transported many leaders and diplomats, and kept the country's transport running smoothly despite the ongoing Russian aggression.

It may be recalled here, that Prime Minister Modi and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Italy in June and previously at the G7 Summit in Japan last year.

Ukraine’s foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, visited New Delhi in March to urge India to take a more active role in ongoing peace efforts.

(With inputs from agencies)