To mark one year since Russia attacked Ukraine, yesterday, Friday, 24th February, train operator Southeastern named one of its Class 707 (001) City Beam trains Spirit of Ukraine.

The naming came after a minute’s silence at an event at London‘s Cannon Street station and included performances from the Canterbury 4 Ukraine Women’s Choir.

The train’s Spirit of Ukraine name marks the friendships and connections that have formed between Ukrainians who have settled in the communities that Southeastern serves, and the people who have welcomed them.

Spirit of Ukraine also acknowledges the tremendous efforts by Ukrainian Railways to keep the country moving during the most difficult of times, by evacuating people from dangerous areas and keeping the country on the move faced with almost impossible circumstances.

Southeastern operates services in Kent, East Sussex, and southeast London where the Class 707(001) trains have recently been introduced. In the communities served by Southeastern, since February last year over 4,000 people from Ukraine have been welcomed into people’s homes, including those of some of the company’s staff.

Oleksandr Pertsovskyi, CEO of the Passenger Company of Ukrainian Railways said: “The Ukrainian Railway hasn’t stopped since our country was attacked a year ago and we’ve evacuated four million people to safety including one million children.

“We are touched that the community in Kent, Sussex, southeast London and across the United Kingdom have welcomed our people and that they now honour the spirit of the Ukrainian people who keep standing their ground unbent and unbroken”

Jonny Holdcroft, Communications Director at Southeastern Railway said: “We are very proud to name this train Spirit of Ukraine to mark the connections that have been made between Ukrainian people who’ve settled in the community we serve and the people who’ve welcomed them including from Southeastern.

“At the same time, we want to recognise the enormous efforts of our Ukrainian Railways colleagues whose bravery, ingenuity, and sacrifice also embodies the Spirit of Ukraine.

“While today we mark a sombre anniversary we are pleased we can do so by celebrating the strong connections between Ukraine and Kent, Sussex & South east London.”