The Ukraine war halted this Finland-Russia HS fleet, now it’s back rebranded, but fully Finnish
Once a strong symbol of cooperation between the European Union and Russia, the high-speed Pendolino Allegro trains connected Helsinki and St. Petersburg through a joint venture of Finland’s VR and Russian state rail operators. These sleek trains represented a seamless link between the two regions.
However, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine abruptly ended that collaboration. The once-proud machines were left unused, deteriorating over time as political ties collapsed. The ambitious cross-border project became one of several casualties of the new geopolitical landscape.
Today, the trains have found a new life. Fully under the ownership of Finland’s VR Group, the fleet has been revived and rebranded as Pendolino Plus. No longer associated with Russia, these modern trains now serve exclusively on domestic routes, reflecting Finland’s broader effort to separate economically and symbolically from its eastern neighbor.
“The Allegros stood as a rare emblem of EU–Russia connectivity — today, their reinvention marks Finland’s move toward full independence in rail operations.”
As the nation’s railway system adjusts to new realities, the resurrection of these trains illustrates Finland’s adaptability and resilience amid shifting European relations.
Regional rail updates
- Severe storms in Catalonia continue to disrupt travel, affecting both rail and air networks across the region.
- In Poland, PKP Intercity seeks second-hand German trains to manage growing passenger demand while awaiting new models.
- A consortium led by Hitachi secured a contract to install digital signaling and GSM-R communication systems on Bulgaria’s Voluyak–Dragoman line.
- The Intelligent Rail Summit 2025 opened with experts discussing advancements in artificial intelligence, satellite integration, and 3D rail infrastructure technologies.
Author’s summary: The revival of Finland’s former Allegro trains as Pendolino Plus marks the end of an era of EU–Russia cooperation and showcases Finland’s decisive shift toward full rail independence.