Trains for Ukraine: This is What Hanke Says

FPÖ General Secretary Christian Hafenecker and FPÖ Member of Parliament Gerhard Deimek had previously demanded full clarification on this "questionable gift."

Trains Delivered This Year

Hanke handed over the two motor tower cars of type X534 - special vehicles for the construction and maintenance of overhead lines - in June. According to a press release, the special trains are being used in the expansion of a new European standard gauge line between Chop and Uzhhorod. This route is a crucial step in Ukraine's strategic orientation towards stronger integration into the European railway network, according to the press release from the Ministry of Infrastructure at the end of June.

The Freedom Party then demanded clarification on whether these two gifts were isolated cases. They also questioned to what extent such "gifts are even compatible with perpetual neutrality." Especially with trains or vehicles, military use cannot be ruled out.

Gift to Ukraine

Hanke explained in the response dated November 5 that the trains were no longer actively used in Austrian rail transport. "The two vehicles no longer meet the technical standard and, due to their age (46 years) and regulatory requirements, are no longer usable for ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG." The vehicles were also offered for sale internationally in advance. "The scrap price was calculated at approximately 3,000 euros per tower car."

Therefore, it was decided to gift them to Ukraine: The costs for transport to the Ukrainian border, around 2,800 euros, were covered by an ÖBB subsidiary, Hanke explained. The deed of gift also "stipulates that the special trains are not to be used for military purposes." The trains were transferred to the Hungarian border station Záhony on August 13. Since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression, no further rail vehicles have been handed over to the Ukrainian state railway.

(APA/Red)

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