OREANDA-NEWS. March 13, 2012. At Mukran port in the German town of Sassnitz, Siemens completed loading the first shipment of 38 electric suburban commuter trains Lastochk (Desiro RUS) in the 5-carriage version to be sent to Russia, reported the press-centre of RZD.

In a few days, the railway ferry St. Petersburg will deliver the trains to the Russian port of Ust-Luga, from where they will continue their onward journey by rail to the Saint Petersburg-Moscow (Metallostroy) depot.

Experts from Siemens will then start making the final adjustments to the trains before they are commissioned. In 2012, the Lastochka (Swallow) will undergo various trials and certification at the Shcherbinka test site in the Moscow region and on Russia’s railways.

The first passenger services to use the Lastochka electric trains will begin in Kazan and Sochi in 2013. During the Winter Olympic Games in February 2014, they will transport athletes and spectators to the mountain venues.

It is also planned to use the trains during the 2018 World Cup, which will be held in Russia.