Ukraine and the UK signed a post-war infrastructure reconstruction plan

Ukraine and the UK signed a joint Action Plan for the restoration of the transport infrastructure of Ukraine destroyed by war. The document was signed at an online meeting of the Minister of Infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakov and the Minister of Transport of the UK Grant Shepps, reports Ministry of Infrastructure’s (MIU) press service.

The UK, by signing the document, undertakes to share engineering experience and provide a new package of support for the restoration of Ukraine’s damaged transport infrastructure. The UK also agrees to provide expertise from prestigious British private organizations.

According to the Plan, the UK will transfer 5 Go Ahead Group’s buses to Ukraine to improve the mobility of the Ukrainian population and will purchase equipment to restore critical grain export routes.

British partners will provide a plan for the reconstruction of the airport, runway and port infrastructure. They will also work with MIU on the possibility of training airport personnel, air traffic controllers and aviation security.

“The fate of war is decided not only on the battlefield. Ukraine needs a strong economy and stable infrastructure facilities. Thanks to today’s agreements, we expect to receive high-quality expertise from leading British companies and institutes for the restoration of Ukrainian infrastructure,” Oleksandr Kubrakov commented.

The Ministry of Infrastructure informs, that the UK’s government has provided almost £4 billion ($4.7 billion) in financial aid to Ukraine since the beginning of Russia’s military aggression.

According to KSE Institute, as of August 22, 2022, the amount of direct damage to infrastructure reached $113.5 billion. Compared to the calculations of August 8, the total amount increased by $3.1 billion.

As a result of hostilities, 311 bridges and overpasses, 24.8 thousand km of communal roads and roads of state and local importance were damaged or destroyed for $35.1 billion. Damages in the field of transport amount to about $3 billion.

As GMK Center reported earlier, in June 2022, the UK planned to allocate up to £10 million ($12.3 million) for the repairs of Ukrzaliznytsia’s railway tracks to facilitate the export of grain from the country.