OREANDA-NEWS  The Russian electric train "Swallow" arrived on Friday in test mode in Gagra. This was reported by the press service of RUE "Abkhazian Railway" (AZHD).

"On May 12, the test passage of the Lastochka electric train to the Republic of Abkhazia on the Sochi - Gagra route took place. This became possible as a result of an agreement between the management of Russian Railways and JSC Russian Railways during a working meeting in Moscow in March 2023. The test launch was successful," the message says.

It is noted that the management of the OZHD together with representatives of the Russian Railways traveled in a train from Sochi to Gagra to make sure that the Abkhazian railway was ready to run the Swallow.

"The Russian side appreciated the test passage well. There are problems that we will have to eliminate on our own. Of course, it is not necessary to say that the "Swallow" will start running tomorrow, it may happen next year. We will continue negotiations with our Russian colleagues," Arsoua Chitanava, the CEO, is quoted as saying. Currently, passenger trains "Moscow - Sukhum - Moscow", "St. Petersburg - Sukhum - St. Petersburg", "Samara - Sukhum - Samara" and "Tuapse - Gagra - Tuapse" run to Abkhazia.