Cierachowka & Khorobychi (Railway) Border Crossing

A Closed Mainline Railway Crossing

Important Note for Travelers: Due to the ongoing war in Ukraine and the volatile political situation with Belarus, this border crossing is closed and all rail services have been suspended. It is not operational. This guide is provided for historical and informational purposes only.

The railway border crossing connecting Cierachowka (Terekhovka) in Belarus with Khorobychi in Ukraine was a major mainline checkpoint on the direct rail route between the Belarusian city of Gomel and the Ukrainian city of Chernihiv. This was a key part of the north-south rail corridor, a double-track line that carried a significant volume of both freight and long-distance passenger trains. Unlike smaller, local lines, this was a strategic artery, a vital link in the railway network of Eastern Europe. To travel this route was to journey on a primary corridor of communication, a path that has now been severed by conflict.

Operational Details

This checkpoint connected the Gomel Region of Belarus with the Chernihiv Oblast of Ukraine. The key operational points were the border stations of Cierachowka and Khorobychi, where all cross-border trains would stop for inspection. The line uses the 1520 mm broad gauge common to both countries, so there was no need for the complex bogie-changing procedures seen on the Polish border. This made for a relatively efficient transit for both passenger and freight trains, with the main delay being the time required for border formalities.

A History of a Strategic Link

The history of this railway line is tied to the industrial and strategic development of the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union. It was built to connect the industrial centers of Ukraine with the northern regions. The cities of Gomel and Chernihiv are both ancient and historically significant, but their modern importance is also linked to their roles as major railway hubs. After the independence of Belarus and Ukraine in 1991, this line became a crucial international link. Passenger trains, including services from as far as St. Petersburg, would travel this route on their way to Kyiv and the Black Sea coast, making it a key corridor for tourism and business travel.

Former Border Procedure

The border crossing procedure for a passenger train on this route was a standard on-board process. The train would stop at the Cierachowka station on the Belarusian side. Belarusian border guards and customs officials would board the train and move through the carriages, checking the passports and luggage of the passengers. This process would typically take around an hour. Once completed, the train would proceed across the border to the Khorobychi station in Ukraine. Here, the process would be repeated with the Ukrainian State Border Guard Service and customs officials conducting their entry checks. For freight trains, the process was more complex, involving the detailed inspection of cargo manifests and the wagons themselves.

The Surrounding Region

The surrounding region is the eastern part of the Polesie lowland, a landscape of forests, fields, and rivers. On the Belarusian side, Cierachowka is a small town, but it is on the main line to Gomel, the second-largest city in Belarus, with its impressive palace and park ensemble. On the Ukrainian side, Khorobychi is a village, with the line continuing to the historic city of Chernihiv. Chernihiv is one of the oldest cities in Ukraine, famous for its magnificent 11th and 12th-century churches and monasteries, which represent some of the finest examples of ancient Rus’ architecture. The city was heavily damaged during the 2022 invasion but is a place of immense historical and cultural importance.

Closure Due to War

The closure of this railway crossing was an immediate and direct consequence of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The railway line was a key axis of advance for Russian forces moving from Belarus towards Chernihiv and Kyiv. The line was damaged during the fighting, and all services were immediately halted. After the liberation of the Chernihiv region, the border was sealed, and the railway has not been reopened. It has been transformed from a corridor of transport into a strategic defensive line.

Final Considerations

The Cierachowka–Khorobychi railway crossing was once a bustling and vital mainline, a key artery in the circulatory system of Eastern European transport. It carried millions of passengers and tons of freight between two friendly nations. Today, the tracks are silent and the signals are dark, a stark testament to the devastating impact of the war. The severed line is a powerful symbol of the broken connections and the deep rift that now separates Belarus and Ukraine, a once-busy corridor that now leads only to a fortified and hostile frontier.