The War in Ukraine and Its Impact on Rail Transport

The Russian Railways crisis is worsening as 300,000 idle wagons clog the network, severe staff shortages halt trains, and freight volumes fall for 20 consecutive months, OSINT analyst ChrisO_wiki reports.

Drone strikes continue to cause major freight delays across Russia, severely affecting logistics as Russian Railways faces its worst operational crisis in over a decade.

Ukraine needs over $20B for railway reconstruction following the full-scale invasion. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Due to Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine’s transport sector has already lost over $36 billion, with infrastructure recovery needs estimated at $77 billion.

After the “trade visa-free regime” ends on June 5, the EU plans to introduce transitional measures to maintain favorable export conditions for Ukraine and prevent a return to restrictions.

Gatwick Airport intends to increase parking and drop-off charges as part of a bold strategy to expand public transport use and secure approval for a second runway.

The cyberattack disrupted Ukrzaliznytsia’s online services, and specialists are actively restoring systems and mitigating the consequences.

Over three years of hostilities, the war in Ukraine has led to significant losses among Ukrainian railway workers. According to reports, 818 employees have been killed while carrying out their duties or being in combat zones.

Russia detained over a thousand containers traveling from China to Europe. Shipments were halted due to legislative changes regarding cargo inspections and new customs checks.

Interpipe exports 83% of its products, holding leading positions in global markets. This was reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Ukrainian Railways formed another medical train equipped with modern systems for the safe evacuation of the wounded. The new train is designed to provide emergency medical assistance during transportation.

The EBRD has committed €180 million to Ukrainian Railways to address power shortages caused by infrastructure damage. This initiative strengthens energy stability and supports economic recovery.