Ukrainian rail company to file lawsuit against Russia
The Ukrainian Ministry of Infrastructure plans to file a complaint against Russia in the coming months.
The Ukrainian Railway Company, Ukrzaliznytsya, which was established by the State Administration of Railroad Transportation of Ukraine, plans to file a claim against Russia for losses caused by the annexation of Crimea, as reported to UNIAN by Vladimir Omelyan, the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure.
Ukrzaliznytsya is currently preparing the required documentation for the claim. If the Ministry of Infrastructure approves it, the Cabinet of Ministers will decide on the further course of action. “The claims will be made within one to two months," Omelyan said. He also added that other enterprises of the Ministry of Infrastructure are being encouraged by the Ministry of Justice to prepare similar claims.
After the annexation, the Crimean Directorate of Railroad Transportation belonging to the Prydniprovska Railway was transferred to the occupying authorities of the peninsula and renamed the Crimea Railway. At the end of December 2015, the Russian Government took this enterprise into its federal possession under the responsibility of the Federal Railway Transport Agency (Roszheldor).
Some Ukrainian State companies have already begun a legal struggle with Russia. Ukrnafta has filed a lawsuit against Russia with the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague. Naftogaz has chosen the American law firm of Covington & Burling to represent them in a case filed with the International Court of Arbitration.
Moreover, the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague has began preparations to hear the case filed by Igor Kolomoisky, Ukrainian businessman and the owner of The Belbek Airport Company, against the Russian Federation requesting compensation for losses as a result of the annexation of Crimea.