In 2023, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) through its Global Firearms Programme (GFP) has initiated a project to aid the PJSC Ukrainian Railways in increasing civilian security. This has been made possible through financial support from the Government of Japan. The project aims at enhancing the capabilities of the Railways Security Service to detect illicit firearms and explosives. The need for reinforced safety measures has grown due to the current conflict, prompting Ukrainian Railways to re-evaluate its security procedures, especially concerning passengers and cargo transport.
Key elements of the project include establishing of a training classroom, providing modern IT equipment, walk-through metal detectors, hand-held metal detectors, presentation and network equipment. Additionally, the UNODC GFP has developed and delivered specialized training on identifying firearms and explosives using X-ray technology.
On November 6, 2023, an official event took place at Ukrainian Railways to mark the inauguration of the training classroom, the hand-over of equipment and the start of training for the Railway Security Service personnel. The event was attended by Mr. Kuninori Matsuda, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Ukraine, Mr. Oleksandr Kubrakov, Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration of Ukraine - Minister for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine, Mr. Yevhen Liashchenko, Chairman of the Management Board of PJSC “Ukrainian Railways”, Mr. Andriy Bukin, Head of the South-Western Railway, Mr. Volodymyr Aleksandrov, Executive Director of Railways Security Service, Ms. Harsheth Virk, Head of Office, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes Programme Office for Ukraine, and Mr. Denys Kadenko, National Programme Officer Global Firearms Programme.
