The railway route bypassing Ukraine will come operational on Aug. 15, 2017 already - more than a year ahead of the plan, Russia’s Deputy Defense Minister General Dmitry Bulgakov told reporters on Nov. 26 during a trip to the Voronezh region, where he inspected the construction.
"The railway communication between Zhuravka and Mellerovo will be opened already on Aug. 15, 2017," he said. "On that day, first trains carrying passengers and cargo will go along electrified two-direction railway."
"Thus," he continued, "the order from Russia’s President Vladimir Putin to make railroad by the Railway Troops and the RZD Company will be fulfilled before the due time, more than a year earlier."
Earlier, the official said the military would construct at that passage six new stations and restore existing two stations.
First published by TASS