More trains are on the way: additional routes will connect Russia and Abkhazia.

Starting from May 1, 2025, additional trains will begin operating between the Federal Territory of Sirius and Abkhazia on the route Imeretinsky Resort – Sukhum. This was announced by Ivan Kolesnikov, the deputy head of RZhD, on February 27 before the departure of a special flight to Sukhum.

“Every year we observe an increase in passenger traffic on the Russia – Abkhazia route, so the launch of the train service between Imeretinsky Resort and Sukhum is a completely logical decision,” said Kolesnikov.

The route is planned to utilize the "Lastochka" electric trains, along with other modern and comfortable Russian trains such as EP2DM and EP2D.

Currently, RZhD, in collaboration with the Abkhazian Railways, is developing a schedule for the additional trains to ensure convenience for both tourists and residents of Sochi, the Federal Territory of Sirius, and Abkhazia. Customs and border control will be conducted directly on the train at the stations Vesele (Russia) and Tsandrypsh (Abkhazia).

The carrier notes that in 2024, 341.3 thousand people traveled by train between Russia and Abkhazia. This figure represents a 17.3% increase compared to the previous year.

Currently, the "Lastochka" operates daily on the Russian-Abkhazian route with five carriages. Train No. 921/922 Adler – Gagra was launched on June 8, 2023, and has since transported around 115 thousand passengers. The "Lastochka" departs from Adler at 10:30 and from Gagra at 13:26.

Seasonal trains from various cities in Russia also operate on the route.

“During the summer and periods of high demand, trains No. 303/304 Moscow – Sukhum, No. 479/480 St. Petersburg – Sukhum, No. 927/928 Tuapse – Gagra, as well as non-transfer groups of carriages from Pskov – Sukhum, Veliky Novgorod – Sukhum, Murmansk – Sukhum, Yelets – Sukhum, and Rostov-on-Don – Sukhum, will be running,” the carrier specifies.