european rail tours 2023

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The best new European train journeys for 2023

Overnight trains between Stuttgart and Venice and between Munich and Genoa are among several new services that have launched in recent days

Y ou might expect Europe’s 2023 train schedules to debut on 1 January 2023. They don’t. The new timetables kick in on 11 December this year, bringing myriad new travel opportunities for the year ahead. Highlights include Genoa and Dresden both securing new international night sleeper services, a new daily train between Poland and Lithuania and improved links between Oslo and Stockholm.

Night trains have been in the spotlight this past year or two. A collective determination to curb flying has driven demand for overnight trains, but there’s another key factor. The pandemic encouraged us all to rethink how we value personal space, and suddenly the possibility of a comfortable overnight journey in a private compartment holds special appeal, be it a solo or twin-occupancy sleeper or a couchette compartment for a whole family.

Nightjet from Stuttgart to Venice and Rijeka

Stuttgart used to be a major hub for European night trains: 50 years ago it was served by the Orient Express. The south-west German city slipped from the overnight schedules but has returned in grand style with a new daily night train departure at 8.29pm, which will carry sleeping cars to Venice, Vienna, Budapest, Ljubljana and Zagreb. The roll call of enticing destinations is augmented by a through sleeping car to Rijeka over Christmas and Easterand then again from mid-May to early October 2023. Stuttgart to Rijeka takes just under 15 hours, culminating in a wonderful ride through the Istrian hills before a steep drop to the Kvarner Gulf. An overnight journey with crisp white sheets in sleeping car comfort starts at about £73 for Vienna, Venice or Budapest and slightly more to stations in Slovenia or Croatia. With such good connections from London via Brussels or Paris to Stuttgart, travellers from the UK can use the 8.29pm from Stuttgart as a gateway to adventures around the Adriatic in summer 2023.

This month has also seen a new overnight train from Prague and Dresden to Basel . The train continues beyond Basel to Zürich, giving travellers from the Czech capital the choice of two completely different overnight routes to Zürich – the traditional one via Linz, traversing Liechtenstein by dead of night, and the new service via Saxony. For travellers from London, this service offers a credible new route to Dresden and Prague, travelling via Paris to Karlsruhe where the overnight train to Prague leaves at 11.07pm. The Dresden arrival is at 7.05am and Prague at 9.38am. Book it: The night sleeper services will in time all be bookable from Nightjet , though some are not yet available. A good alternative for overnight trains, and indeed many other European trains, is Rail Europe . For the new night train from Prague to south-west Germany and Switzerland via Saxony, the cheapest fares may be from Czech Railways

Ligurian links, Italy

Austria’s national rail operator, ÖBB, announced months ago that it would run trains to Liguria from late 2022, and everyone assumed this just meant Genoa. But it sprung a last-minute surprise in November, with news that the Nightjet from Munich will continue beyond Genoa, serving the Cinque Terre coast en route to its final destination at La Spezia. The new route launched on 11 December. It offers a chance to have an early dinner in Munich, then board a comfortable overnight train and alight next morning in Rapallo at 10.14am or Levanto at 10.46am.

With such civilised timings, the route will surely attract travellers heading to Tuscany. The existing night train from Munich arrives in Florence at 6.18am, which is far too early for most travellers. How much nicer it will be to enjoy a gentle rail cruise along the Ligurian coast, alighting from the Nightjet at 11.10am in La Spezia, which has good connections to Pisa and other Tuscan cities.

The new service from Munich to Liguria is complemented by a similar offering from Vienna, leaving the Austrian capital at 7.18pm for an evening journey over the remarkable Semmering Railway. The carriages from Munich and Vienna are united in the wee small hours at Villach in Carinthia, from where the train continues its journey south into Italy, stopping in Milan and Pavia en route to Genoa and the coast. One-way fares from Munich or Vienna to any destination in Liguria start at €30 for an austere overnight journey in a seat, but the trip in a couchette costs from €50 and sleeping car accommodation from €70.

Bordeaux to the Black Forest

In France, the headline rail news this month has, as in the UK, been all about strikes, but national operator SNCF is sneaking some extra long-distance trains into the 2023 schedules. There are extra TGVs between Paris and the south-west German city of Freiburg. No big surprise there, but a wholly new French destination will appear on the departure boards at Freiburg on 17 December, with the launch of a weekly service to Bordeaux . From Germany’s Black Forest region to Bordeaux in under eight hours would have been impossible a generation ago. It may be a route for wine lovers, but that’s not what’s driving demand; it is, rather, a theme park just north of Freiburg which is very popular with French visitors. It now has a dedicated station called Ringsheim/Europa-Park , where from mid-December you’ll be able to catch not just a weekly train to Bordeaux but also a direct TGV to Marne-la-Vallée-Chessy, for Disneyland Paris. That itinerary will surely appeal to those keen to sample Europe’s two leading theme parks in a single trip. One-way fares from Freiburg or Ringsheim to Bordeaux start at €59. Book it: through SNCF or Rail Europe

Lithuania reconnected

Last spring, transport activists appealed to European authorities about the complete absence of cross-border rail services into Lithuania at a time when Kaunas was in the limelight as a European capital of culture. Happily, the Polish and Lithuanian authorities responded by introducing, on 1 July, a twice-weekly local service from Białystok to Kaunas. Now, that service is being upgraded to Intercity status, with daily departures from Kraków and Warsaw to Lithuania.

The train leaves Kraków at 4.01am, when sensible travellers should really still be asleep. The Warsaw departure is at 7.35am, giving late-afternoon arrivals in Kaunas and Vilnius. One curiosity of the new service is that an easy cross-platform change of train is necessary at Mockava, a small station just inside Lithuania, where passengers switch from the Polish train to a Lithuanian one. It’s a guaranteed connection and there are through fares. A one-way ticket for the nine-hour journey from Warsaw to Vilnius starts at 120 złoty (about £22). Book it: the new direct trains from Warsaw to Lithuania can be booked with PKP Intercity

As I discovered when travelling from Norway to Sweden in the autumn, rail connections between the two countries are woeful. But a welcome upgrade to services on the Oslo-Stockholm route kicked off on 11 December. The number of direct trains has increased to five a day and comfortable, modern SJ3000 trains debut on the route. Journey times are trimmed, with the fastest services now taking just over five hours. One-way fares start at SEK385 Swedish kroner (£30). Book it: the best option for trains between Stockholm and Oslo is SJ Swedish Railways

… and losers

Timetable changes are not always good news. Trains axed from 11 December included the once-daily direct trains from Dresden to Vienna, Marseille to Madrid and Lyon to Barcelona.

Nicky Gardner is a Berlin-based writer. The 17th edition of her book Europe by Rail: The Definitive Guide is available from the Guardian Bookshop . She is co-editor of Hidden Europe magazine.

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The best European train routes to try in 2023

Dec 27, 2022 • 8 min read

A new night train from Vienna to La Spezia, Italy offers a new way to access Liguria’s Cinque Terre © HelloRF Zcool / Shutterstock

Fans of train travel like me are looking toward 2023 with excitement – and a newly expanded to-do list.

The magic date on the European train calendar was December 11, when winter timetables kicked in. While not quite matching the bounty of peak summer services, the update udhered in new and reinstated routes, extended services and new adventures radiating across Europe in all directions.

Here are some of the most enticing European train journeys to take in the first half of 2023.

Take a sleeper train from Vienna to La Spezia, Italy

Why it’s exciting: Roll on from Vienna into an underrated Italian port city ⁠– and a more affordable base for exploring Cinque Terre . 

The Austrian capital is at the heart of the ever-expanding NightJet network operated by ÖBB ( Austrian Railways ), and the company is adding a few eye-catching extensions. The Vienna– Milan route is extending, not just to Genoa , but to the Ligurian port city of La Spezia  down the coast. Not only is this underrated spot mere minutes on an onward train from the spectacular hiking trails and colorful villages of the Cinque Terre, it’s also a much more affordable and less popular base than Monterosso , Vernazza and their fratelli . Whether you’re refueling with espresso by the Ligurian Sea after a night on the tracks or spending a few hours wandering around the old town’s labyrinthine streets before boarding a sleeper bound for the Alps, this route surely ranks as one of Europe’s top new travel experiences for 2023. Later in the year, you should be able to take this journey aboard one of NightJet’s next-generation sleeper carriages .

Travel from Prague to Zurich via Basel, Leipzig and Dresden

Why it’s exciting: A night journey through eastern Germany , with breakfast with a view traveling along the scenic Elbe Valley between Dresden and Děčín, before finishing in one of central Europe’s most beautiful capitals. 

Zurich , Switzerland is fast becoming a night train hub to match Vienna. Back following a five-year absence, the Czech Railways ( České dráhy, or ČD )–operated Canopus train once again connects the Swiss city with stately Prague via Dresden and Leipzig . (This gives you the choice of two separate night routes between the two cities, as an existing night train runs on a different route; the Canopus has a wider choice of accommodation than the existing service.) Underlining its usefulness as a hub, Zurich is only four hours from Paris via the TGV Lyria service, and the starting point for countless scenic journeys in Switzerland , including the stunning Treno Gottardo ride over the Alps to lakeside Locarno in Ticino province.

Move between Holyhead and London more frequently 

Why it’s exciting: The land-and-sea link between London and Dublin has been tricky recently, but recent timetable changes hopefully make the carbon-friendlier hop across the Irish Sea a more viable proposition.

The North Wales line is not new, in any sense. In fact, this scenic route along the north coast is one of the world’s oldest rail routes, having been built between 1844 and 1850 to connect ferry services from Dublin with Irish Mail trains bound for London. 

Avanti West Coast has recently added four additional daily departures, for five total. Avanti’s scanty service on this and other routes has been widely criticized in the UK in recent times; these additional trains are part of a hoped-for improvement between London, the West Midlands and Northwest England and north Wales . The journey should be further improved in 2023 by the introduction of updated, more comfortable train stock. 

Highlights of the line include trackside views of Conwy Castle , the Menai Strait crossing to Anglesey and the stop at Llanfairpwll , still delighting passengers who can glimpse its longer (if contrived) name of Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch. Transport for Wales operates other services along this line, including the iconic train running to Cardiff that comes complete with the best mainline on-board restaurant in the UK. Good-value combination tickets with ferries are also available.

Take a night train from Hamburg to Stockholm 

Why it’s exciting: Hamburg can feel a little out on a limb if you’re sticking to the core continental network. With this cozy and efficient night connection, Germany’s second city offer a gateway to Sweden’s elegant capital –  and the spectacular train routes of Scandinavia beyond.

Night trains direct from Hamburg to Stockholm started running in September – with a catch. Regulatory troubles meant that most of the carriage fitted out by Swedish state railway operator SJ were not allowed to cross Denmark . So the service has been operating since launch at a limited capacity, with only four berth couchettes for accommodation. Happily, this situation has now been resolved, and passengers now have the choice of a mixed or single-gender couchette; sleeper for one, two or three; deluxe sleeper; or bargain-priced seats all offering a night crossing of the Öresund Bridge . The route is also served by privately-run Snälltåget trains running on to Berlin , though with less frequent departures during the winter and a later departure time from Hamburg. 

Take new high-speed trains around Spain 

Why it’s exciting: Iryo offers arguably the most comfortable high-speed services in Europe, complete with tempting dining options, as the beauty of Spain ’s countryside zips past. Thanks to airline-style pricing, early bookers can enjoy these trains on a shoestring.

Iryo is a new high-speed operator that looks set to shake up the Spanish rail scene. Already operating between Madrid – Barcelona and Madrid– Valencia , by June 2023 Iryo trains will also be serving Seville , Málaga , Córdoba and Alicante . Iryo journeys promise to be fast and comfortable, offering a similar four-class service to part-owner Trenitalia’s Frecciarossa trains. On-board dining will focus on local ingredients used in sensibly priced pintxos and tapas dishes. Over the longer term, Iryo has its eye on cross-border routes, which surely would include more choice and capacity on high-speed tracks into France .

Travel into Istanbul’s long-dormant Sirkeci station

Why it’s exciting: Only a hard-hearted traveler would not thrill to see the terminus of the Orient Express enjoy some kind of new life. This may just happen some time soon. (As if Istanbul weren’t fun enough .)

The dormant tracks at Sirkeci station in Istanbul might just hum once again with arrivals and departures in 2023. With international trains to Sofia and Bucharest departing from distant Halkali and suburban trains now running deep underground to enable trans-Bosphorus services, Sirkeci has become somewhat neglected, and even its tracks – which for decades carried European international services to their terminus – have been removed. Plans to reinstate passenger trains along the coastline of the oldest part of Istanbul, hugging the ancient Theodosian Walls , are aimed at delivering an eight-station service connecting Sirkeci with Kazlicesme to the west; alongside the track, a cycling and walking track is also envisioned. While the plans looked a far from completion when I visited in October, this is a plan to keep a close eye on as the year progresses. ( Rail Turkey is a well-informed site for all Turkish train-related matters and likely to break any news first.) When (if?) this line eventually does open, it will reactivate the street-level platforms at Sirkeci and breathe new life into one of the world’s most iconic stations.

Travel from Montreux to Interlaken in Switzerland without changing trains

Why it’s exciting: Switzerland’s scenic trains, designed to offer panoramic views of some of the world’s finest mountain views, are an essential part of any visit. This technological wonder extends one of the best of these routes, linking the adventure capital of Interlaken with an easy connection to Geneva .

The GoldenPass Express is one of Switzerland’s most eye-popping services. Running from Montreux on the shores of Lake Geneva , it climbs high above the lake, then over passes and across spectacular alpine scenery, passing through chi-chi resorts like Gstaad before arriving into Zweisimmen. As of December 2022, this train continues – without requiring passengers to change – to Spiez and Interlaken Ost. This is made possible via an ingenious system that allows the train to change operating gauge mid-journey, a process that usually requires carriages to be elevated and have bogies (wheelsets) removed. The GoldenPass Express can be ridden by Swiss Pass holders without paying a supplement – though reservations do cost $14.80 ($10.57 off-peak) and are advisable during peak summer months.

Finally, follow the journey of trains from Chişinău, Moldova to Kyiv, Ukraine 

Why it’s exciting: A sign of everyday life from Ukraine, where trains are a lifeline to the country.

The continued operation – not merely running, but running more or less on schedule – of Ukraine’s railways has been a symbol of resilience throughout the brutal Russian invasion. And while it will be some time before travelers from outside Ukraine can once again take the train to its defiant capital , the resumption of this service in November after 24 years is to be welcomed. Now dubbed the Victory Train, the route includes a stop at Ungheny station in the west of Moldova , from where a connection can be made to Iaşi , Romania , whose airport has been a key departure point for displaced Ukrainians.

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• Day 1 Start of tour in Rome - Venice
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Welcome to Europe by Rail

Exploring Europe by train is easy, economical and enjoyable. Europe by Rail is a guidebook featuring fifty great routes, country information and off-beat diversions. It'll inspire you to explore Europe in a way you've probably never done before.

The 17th edition of Europe by Rail was published on 12 April 2022. The book was reprinted in September 2022 and July 2023.

What people have said about recent editions of the book

The continent of Europe is a vast land that is rich in diversity, history and culture. There are borders of course, yet Europe by Rail teaches us to see borders not as obstacles, but instead as open doors to new and different experiences.

Europe by Rail has been in existence for over a quarter of a century, but with each new edition Nicky and Susanne have continued to refine what is not only the finest guidebook to rail travel across this continent of ours, but also one of the best guides to travel in Europe full stop.

This guide most certainly lives up to its name: it is a most definitive guide, and is packed with all the information that you will need to plan your rail travel across the continent. Do not leave home without it.

Europe by Rail is a book of sheer possibility, a love letter to a continent that also tells you where to buy the ring and how to get to the jeweller's.

Whether you use it vicariously, imagining trips from the comfort of home, or as an essential part of your travelling kit, Europe by Rail is a wonderful publication, proving that we don't have to fly thousands of miles to find adventure when there's so much to see at our doorstep.

If you’re planning to travel by train in Europe, “Europe By Rail” is your one-stop-shop resource that’s filled with everything you need to know.

This fifteenth edition is not just a guide to European train journeys (50 of them) but it’s a cornucopia of useful information about rail travel in general. Even if you don’t intend to travel by rail regularly, there is plenty of in-depth writing to whet your appetite from your armchair.

Gardner and Kries have packed this new edition with invaluable information on European train travel. But they have also managed to capture the joy, excitement, and even romance of train travel in what could have been an otherwise dry reference guide.

If you love train travel as much as we do, this book is more than just a guide for your bookshelf. Snuggle down with it on the sofa, or pull it out of your bag on a crowded commute home–then promise yourself you’ll use it to discover just how magical train travel can be.

Whether you are planning on taking just one or two rail journeys in Europe or will be covering much of the continent onboard a train, Europe by Rail is a must-read. Both rail novices and experienced train travellers will appreciate the tips and information included in the book.

This new edition should appeal in particular to members of the engineering profession, always defined by the two parameters of precision and creativity (or passion if you wish). Europe by Rail is resplendent with both. While brimming with the latest thoroughly verified bits of information, it is written with genuine gusto by the people who are not only extremely fond of travelling, but also happen to be accomplished stylists and writers.

Can you lose yourself happily within the book’s pages, much in the same way that you would lose yourself in a town or a landscape that you are exploring for the first time? With Europe by Rail , the answer is a resounding yes: not only will you get new ideas of where to go, you will also find stuff to make you see familiar places in a fresh perspective.

For anyone planning to embark on a rail holiday in Europe, this guide is an invaluable companion. Even if you’ve travelled extensively by rail across the continent, things change regularly and it’s an easy way to bring yourself up to date. Don’t wait until you leave to buy it. The suggestions for stopovers and detours will help with your planning and you’ll have information at your fingertips about rail passes, supplements, connections and the like.

What comes across more than anything is a genuine love of Europe and a huge enthusiasm for exploring different countries and cultures. Living in Berlin, the authors are at the very heart of Europe, and the routes and diversions they suggest give everyone the chance to sample the excitement of having a whole continent spread out before us.

It’s a wonderful book – I love the idea of arranging a travel guide around rail journeys, rather than rail journeys merely being included as a means of getting from A to B. Over its 512 pages, it includes some 50 rail routes, which between them do an impressive job of covering the wealth of landscapes, cities, cultures and languages this continent has to offer.

Beautifully written, the book is both practical and inspirational.

The book is an alluring combination of evocative writing (“Speed soaks up detail as poppies in the fields of Flanders become a red haze”) and practical advice. Subtitled The Definitive Guide for Independent Travellers , it is also a history of Europe in 50 train routes.

Wenn es ein Buch in die 15. Auflage schafft, dann ist das schon ein großes Lob. Umso mehr, wenn es sich um einen Ratgeber handelt. Und ganz besonders, wenn der sich um etwas so – vermeintlich – Altmodisches wie Bahnreisen dreht.

The most comprehensive European railway guide, this book serves two separate purposes: As an inspiring book to read before you leave on your travels - and an essential guide to constantly refer to when you are actually travelling on the most beautiful trains and railway lines that Europe has to offer.

Last month, Nicky and Susanne’s latest project hit the shelves: the 15th edition of Europe by Rail: The Definitive Guide . As both editors and now publishers of the guidebook, Nicky and Susanne have brought their trademark attention to detail to all aspects of the new publication, and as always it is an absolute pleasure to read.

Each chapter is peppered with insights into culture and heritage, and practical information for making the most out of a journey. [...] Europe by Rail is a guidebook that proves both inspirational and informative.

Inside the book

A detailed guide for planning your rail journeys

The guidebook is packed with information you’ll need for planning your train journeys around Europe – be it a meandering trip using Eurail or InterRail or a quick break to just one destination. Detailed route descriptions and tips on fares and ticketing help you navigate your way around Europe’s rail network.

Our passion for rail travel

The authors of Europe by Rail are travel writers and slow travel aficionados. And they are passionate about rail travel. The book captures the essence of each journey. You’ll find facts, ideas and inspiration aplenty in well-penned prose which invites you to hop aboard and discover another side of Europe.

A good read

Whether you are planning a long journey by rail or are an armchair traveller, Europe by Rail has something for everybody. The book records the sheer variety of European life and landscapes – join us as we watch lakes, mountains and townscapes slip by beyond the carriage window.

Take time to explore

Most journeys within Europe are of a length where flying hardly makes sense. Modern and efficient rail services criss-cross the continent. Take time to stop off and explore places along the way. Rediscover the joy of being flexible. If a station looks inviting, why not hop off the train and see what the town has to offer?

The authors

Susanne Kries and Nicky Gardner know their way around Europe by train. The two women, both based in Berlin, are the editors of hidden europe magazine. In their work for Europe by Rail , Nicky and Susanne perpetuate a tradition of writing about rail travel which goes back to Victorian England and the work of Thomas Cook.

European Rail News

Keep up to date with new services with the latest edition of the European Rail Timetable . And see our own European Rail News & Notes, which highlights what’s new around the railways of Europe. European Rail News & Notes is published by the authors of Europe by Rail: The Definitive Guide .

Get occasional updates about the brand-new 16th edition of Europe by Rail which was published in mid-October 2019.

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Get updates on train services, the announcement of new routes and other rail travel related snippets in our European Rail News & Notes section.

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How to Travel Through Europe by Train Like a Pro

Last Updated on June 8, 2023

Traveling through Europe by train is a wonderful experience that offers a unique and authentic way to explore the continent. It is a cost-effective and sustainable way to travel that gives you a chance to see the breathtaking scenery of Europe. 

However, train travel can also be overwhelming for first-timers. That’s why we’ve put together this guide on traveling through Europe by train like a pro.

Make an Itinerary

The first step to traveling through Europe by train like a pro is to plan ahead. Research your destinations and create a rough itinerary of the places you want to visit, as well as the duration of your stay. You can use websites such as Rail Europe or Eurail to plan your train journeys and book tickets in advance. This can save you money, time, and heartache on your adventure!

Buy a Rail Pass

If you plan to take multiple train journeys during your trip, buying a rail pass is worth considering. A rail pass allows you to travel on most trains in Europe without purchasing individual tickets for each journey. Different types of rail passes are available, depending on the length of your trip and the countries you want to visit.

Utilize Nearby Luggage Storage

When traveling through Europe by train, you may find yourself in a situation where you need to store your luggage temporarily. This can happen if you arrive at your destination before your hotel check-in time or want to explore a city without carrying heavy bags.

Fortunately, many train stations in Europe offer luggage storage facilities. For example, if you’re spending the day in St. Pancras, simply look for luggage storage in St. Pancras . Now, you can explore the city with peace of mind — and no heavy bags weighing you down.

Choose Your Train

When traveling through Europe by train , you can take high-speed trains, regional trains, or overnight trains. High-speed trains, such as the Eurostar or TGV, are faster and more expensive than regional trains. However, they are a smart option for longer journeys or days you want to travel between two distant cities in a short amount of time.

Regional trains, on the other hand, are slower but cheaper. They are an option if you want to explore smaller towns and villages along your route. Overnight trains, such as the Nightjet, allow you to save time and money by combining transportation and accommodation.

One of the advantages of traveling through Europe by train is the ability to easily move from one place to another. However, this can be difficult if you are carrying a heavy suitcase. Therefore, it is important to pack light and only bring the essentials. A backpack or a small suitcase is ideal for train travel.

Arrive Early

You should arrive at the train station at least 30 minutes before your train departure time. This allows you to find your platform, check the train timetable, and board the train stress-free. After all, when a train says it leaves at 10:00, you best believe it’ll be on the move promptly at 10:00.

Additionally, arriving early can give you time to grab a coffee or a snack from one of the many cafes at the train station.

Validate Your Ticket

If you have purchased individual train tickets, don’t forget to validate them before boarding the train. You can do this at the yellow validation machines located at the train station. Failure to validate your ticket can result in a fine if you are caught by a ticket inspector on the train.

Keep Your Ticket Handy

Once you have boarded the train, it is important to keep your ticket handy. Ticket inspectors may ask to see your ticket any time during the journey, so it is best to have it easily accessible. Additionally, some trains have a designated area for luggage storage, so be sure to keep your bags in the appropriate area.

Bring Your Own Food

While some trains have dining cars or food carts, it is always a good idea to bring your own food and snacks for the journey. This can save you money and ensure that you have something to eat if the train has no food options or limited options.

Enjoy the Scenery

Last but not least, one of the most important things to remember when traveling through Europe by train is to take the time to enjoy the scenery. Europe is home to some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes and architecture, and traveling by train allows you to see it all from a unique perspective.

Happy Travels!

Traveling through Europe by train is a fantastic experience that offers a unique and authentic way to explore the continent. With these tips, you can travel like a pro and make the most of your journey. Remember to plan ahead, pack light, and most importantly, enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way.

Related posts:

• Why you should travel by train in Europe (and how to book tickets)
• Exploring France by train: Our top five train rides in France
• How to Travel around Europe on the Cheap
• Things to Know Before You Board a Train from Vienna to Prague

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Ukraine war latest: Ukraine 'destroys Russian Black Sea minesweeper'

Ukraine's navy says it has destroyed a Russian Black Sea fleet minesweeper. Meanwhile, an attack on a residential area in Kharkiv left six civilians injured - with Ukraine saying it is investigating the bombing as a potential war crime.

Sunday 19 May 2024 17:40, UK

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• Six killed - including pregnant woman - in strikes on Kharkiv recreation area
• Ukraine investigating 'potential war crime' after civilians wounded
• Ukrainian soldiers reveal how they were secretly moved ahead of Russian invasion
• Russia takes control of village in Kharkiv - defence ministry

We're pausing our coverage of the Ukraine war for the moment.

Scroll through the blog below to catch up on today's developments.

Russian forces likely intend to launch the second phase of their offensive following their anticipated seizure of Vovchansk, three miles from the Russian border, according to the latest analysis from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said yesterday that Russian forces advanced between five and 10 kilometres in the northern Kharkiv region before Ukrainian forces stopped Russian advances.

The ISW says Russian forces are currently prioritising the seizure of Vovchansk because it is likely one of the remaining tactical objectives of the first phase, noting it is the largest settlement immediately on the border that would provide Russian forces with a staging ground to prepare for and launch the second phase.

The Russian objectives of the second phase are not yet clear, the ISW says. It could be to expand the "buffer zone" further in width along the border, or to advance closer to Kharkiv city.

Russian forces have also recently intensified efforts to seize the operationally significant town of Chasiv Yar, the ISW says, seeking to exploit the pressure on stretched Ukrainian forces. 

The number of people killed in Russian strikes on a Kharkiv recreation area has risen from five to six, with an employee of the resort still unaccounted for. 

At least 27 people were injured in the two airstrikes, which came about 20 minutes apart, according to an update from the Kharkiv regional prosecutor's office on Telegram. 

The missing employee was fishing by a reservoir when the attack happened, the update said. 

Two police officers are among the injured, it added. 

The UK's defence secretary has confirmed the military aid that has been "rushed" to Ukraine. 

Grant Shapps said the "world cannot wait" as he urged nations to "step up" and support Kyiv's fight against Russia. 

Among the items sent by the UK are 80 defence missiles, one million rounds of ammunition and 20 Viking amphibious protected vehicles. 

Mr Shapps' tweet comes after he urged allies to give permission to Ukraine to use the weapons they have supplied against targets in Russian-annexed Crimea.

"We have been very, very clear with the world and helpful to Ukraine - for example, providing permissions for our weapons to be used throughout the whole of Ukraine ... that includes Crimea, which was taken by Putin in 2014," he told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg: 

"Now, we do not get into how we would allow targeting with our weapons to be used outside of that. But we do provide our weapons to Ukraine in order for them to defend their country."

Pressed on Volodymyr Zelensky's calls for weapons to be available for strikes inside Russia, Mr Shapps said: "I can't go into the specifics of those private conversations about how the weapons are precisely used."

Finland will propose a law that would see it turn back migrants to Russia without processing their asylum applications - despite this potentially breaching its international human rights commitments.

Finland shut its border with Russia last year to stop a growing number of arrivals from countries including Syria and Somalia.

It accused Moscow of weaponising migration against Finland and the European Union, an assertion the Kremlin denies. 

"As this phenomenon is in Russia's hands - who comes, where from and when, to Finland's border - we cannot permit it," Prime Minister Petteri Orpo told reporters.  

"Therefore we have to augment our legislation." 

The bill would allow border authorities to turn back asylum seekers who cross from Russia, with or without using force. But it would not apply to children and disabled people.

The proposal will go to parliament next week, where it will be submitted to the constitutional committee for review. It will need five-sixths of votes cast in parliament to pass - the high bar required for constitutional matters - and success is not certain. 

The General Staff of Ukraine's armed forces have published their daily operational update... 

It says "intense" fighting is ongoing along almost the entire frontline, with 78 "combat clashes" already today, compared to 110 for the entirety of yesterday. 

The Russian forces became increasingly active on the Kharkiv front, with seven clashes reported so far today.

The situation in Kharkiv is "dynamic", it says, with Russian troops trying to push back the Ukrainian units near Vovchansk, Starytsia and Lyptsi.

Russia said on Saturday its forces had captured the village of Starytsia, bringing the total number of villages it has taken in the Kharkiv region to 13.

Russia has been pushing ahead with a ground offensive in recent days that opened a new front in northeastern Ukraine's Kharkiv region and put further pressure on Kyiv's overstretched military. 

Russian forces have also increased their activity on the Siversk front and are attempting to break through Ukrainian defences in Bilohorivka, Verkhnokamianske and Rozdolivka, the update says. 

Oleksandr Usyk defeated British boxing star Tyson Fury to become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world on Saturday night.

But Fury says the outcome was down to the Ukraine war. 

He disputed his loss after the match, saying: "I believe I won that fight. I think he won a few rounds but I won the majority of them.

"His country is at war, so people are siding with the country at war. Make no mistake, I won that fight in my opinion."

In response, Ukrainian Usyk said he was "ready for rematch," but later added: "I don't think about rematch now, I want to rest."

After today's attacks President Volodymyr Zelenskyy again called on Western allies to supply Kyiv with additional air defence systems to protect Kharkiv and other cities. 

He said there were reports "every hour" of fresh attacks. 

"Missiles, bombs, artillery are the only things that allow Russia to continue its aggression," he said on Telegram. 

"The world can stop Russian terror - and to do so, the lack of political will among leaders must be overcome."

"Two Patriots for Kharkiv will make a fundamental difference," he said, referring to Patriot missile defence systems. 

Air defence systems for other cities and sufficient support for soldiers on the front line would ensure Russia's defeat, the president added. 

This morning, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said the delay in giving aid to Ukraine gave Russia a window of opportunity for its new offensive. 

Five people have died in strikes on two villages in the Kupiansk district in Kharkiv, local officials say. 

It brings the number of people killed in the Kharkiv region today to 10, after five people died in strikes on a recreation area in a northern suburb of the city of Kharkiv.

Local governor Oleh Syniehubov said Russian forces shelled two villages with a self-propelled multiple rocket launcher. 

At least nine people were injured in the attacks. 

We're getting photos of the aftermath of strikes on a recreation area just outside Kharkiv which killed five people and left at least 16 injured. 

The pictures show a lakeside resort, where shortly before the attacks local residents were "resting, enjoying a normal way of life", according to a local police inspector (see our 11.54 post).

Parademics and police tend to the wounded, but were also caught up in the second strike, which came about 20 minutes after the first. 

These are known as "double tap" strikes, which kill or injure emergency workers at the scene of strike impacts. 

Here are the latest photos from the scene...

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