Russian strikes nearly deplete Ukraine's train reserve – FT

Ukraine has nearly exhausted its reserve of locomotives amid Russian strikes on the railway network and is negotiating with European partners to secure additional rolling stock.

Source: Financial Times, citing Ukraine's Minister of Agrarian Policy Taras Vysotskyi

Details: According to Vysotskyi, talks are ongoing with countries whose railways use the same track gauge as Ukraine's.

Mykyta Hrubov, executive director of TIS Group of Terminals, said that three locomotives were lost in the area of their terminal at the Pivdennyi port alone. According to Hrubov, the shortage has already become a weak link in port logistics.

As a result, the FT notes, even the resumption of Black Sea port operations leaves open the issue of delivering cargo to the berths. Maritime exports depend not only on shipping safety but also on the railway's capacity to transport products.

The FT reports that in recent weeks, Russia has intensified attacks on trains carrying grain and iron ore – key Ukrainian export cargoes.

Background:

• On 15 September, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called on partners to assist Ukraine with locomotives compatible with the 1520 mm track gauge and with funding for the purchase of new ones.
• According to Sybiha, since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Russian attacks have damaged or destroyed over 500 locomotives, more than half of them in 2026.

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