You're reading: High-speed trains will start running in 2012

Deputy Prime Minister Borys Kolesnikov, who's in charge of preparing the nation for the 2012 European Soccer Championship, said the trains will be South Korean made.

The government has approved plans to purchase up to 10 high-speed trains, which will provide rapid travel between Kyiv, Donetsk, Kharkiv and Lviv, to come into service in 2012.

The trains, manufactured by South Korean company Hyundai, will cut travel times ahead of matches in the European soccer championship in 2012, which will be hosted in those cities.

Deputy Prime Minister Borys Kolesnikov said journeys from Kyiv to Donetsk will be cut to five hours and 30 minutes, Donetsk to Kharkiv to one hour and 50 minutes, Kyiv to Kharkiv to three hours and 30 minutes, and Kyiv and Lviv four hours and 30 minutes.

The cost of the 10 trains could reach 240 million euros.