The Russian government has approved a 650 km high-speed rail (HSR) line between Moscow and Saint Petersburg at an estimated cost of €16.2 billion (RUB 1.7 trillion). The line, which is expected to halve the travel time between the two cities, is expected to be operational in 2028. Trains on the new line will travel at up to 400 km/h, while the current Sapsan Express only reaches 250 km/h. The Russian banks VEB.RF, Gazprombank and Sberbank have expressed their willingness to finance and participate in the construction of the project. In addition, there are considerations for a line between Moscow and Kazan, to be completed by 2024, and a Moscow – Rostov-on-Don line. The high-speed trains (HST) will be manufactured at the Ural Locomotives plant, a subsidiary of Sinara Transport Machines (STM).
