Finland donates 10 diesel locomotives to Ukraine

Finland has become the first country to donate locomotives to Ukrzaliznytsia, Ukrainian Railways, following the signing of an agreement to transfer 10 Dv12 diesel locomotives and spare parts.

Source: Ukrzaliznytsia, the Ukrainian state railway company

Details: The agreement was signed by Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and Ukrainian Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi in the presence of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The formation of an international coalition to provide the Ukrainian railway with more locomotives was initiated during the Carpathian Eight summit. Agreements were reached at that time with a number of partners regarding the transfer of second-hand locomotives to Ukrzaliznytsia.

Ukrzaliznytsia is currently in desperate need of additional locomotives, as Russia is systematically and deliberately attacking them. Nearly 600 Ukrzaliznytsia locomotives, including over 300 diesel locomotives, have been damaged or destroyed since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.

"Repairing them requires significant funds and time and, in some cases, is impossible. Therefore, it is important to promptly replenish the locomotive fleet," the company noted.

Ukrzaliznytsia added that diesel locomotives are also of particular importance for ensuring the stability of transport operations amid intensifying Russian attacks on energy infrastructure and power outages.

Background:

• It was previously reported that Russian strikes had damaged 492 locomotives and 249 railway carriages since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. The government's action programme envisages repairing 70% of the damaged locomotives.
• An agreement in principle was also reached during the Carpathian Eight summit for US$100 million in grant funding under the RELINC project jointly with the IBRD. These funds will be used to purchase second-hand locomotives.
• Ukraine's Ministry for Restoration previously stated that it would simplify the import of locomotives and the repair of damaged traction power during martial law.

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