Ukraine nearly out of reserve locomotives as strikes hit freight trains, reports say
In short
Russian strikes on Ukrainian freight trains have increased in recent weeks and Ukraine has almost no reserve locomotives left, Agrarian Policy and Food Minister Taras Vysotsky told the Financial Times, according to Meduza. Ukraine is negotiating with European allies for locomotives built for the 1520 mm gauge used in the country. Vysotsky estimated that if Ukrainian ports stay closed, the country will lose at least $8 billion between June 2026 and June 2027.
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Ukraine has almost exhausted its stock of reserve locomotives, according to media reports cited by the state news agency RIA Novosti. The agency's headline gave no figures, causes or reaction, saying only that the reserves were nearly used up. [ 1 ]
Meduza reported that Russian forces have increased the intensity of strikes on Ukrainian freight trains in recent weeks. Ukrainian Agrarian Policy and Food Minister Taras Vysotsky told the Financial Times that reserve locomotives are almost gone, and that the authorities are negotiating with European allies about supplying locomotives designed for the same 1520 mm track gauge. Ukraine's freight rail network, Meduza reported, is used among other things to carry grain and ore, the mainstays of Ukrainian exports. [ 2 ]
According to Meduza, knocking out locomotives creates still greater difficulty in getting Ukrainian grain out for export, and grain exports are already significantly impeded by strikes on Ukrainian port infrastructure. Vysotsky estimated that if the ports remain closed, Ukraine will lose at least $8 billion between June 2026 and June 2027. [ 2 ]
Why it matters
Freight rail moves grain and ore, the mainstays of Ukrainian exports, so a shortage of working locomotives adds to existing disruption to shipping through Ukrainian ports. The minister's estimate of losses runs into billions of dollars, and the search for replacement locomotives depends on decisions by European partners.
Key facts
- Ukraine has almost no reserve locomotives left, according to reports cited by RIA Novosti and to Ukrainian Agrarian Policy and Food Minister Taras Vysotsky, who spoke to the Financial Times. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Russian forces have increased the intensity of strikes on Ukrainian freight trains in recent weeks, Meduza reported, citing the Financial Times. [ 2 ]
- Ukrainian freight rail is used to carry grain and ore, the main Ukrainian export goods, Meduza reported. [ 2 ]
- Ukraine is negotiating with European allies about supplying locomotives built for the 1520 mm track gauge, Vysotsky said. [ 2 ]
- Grain exports are already significantly hampered by strikes on Ukrainian port infrastructure, according to Meduza. [ 2 ]
- Vysotsky estimated that if the ports remain closed, Ukraine will lose at least $8 billion between June 2026 and June 2027. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether European allies will agree to supply locomotives for the 1520 mm gauge and on what terms. Meduza reports only that talks are under way, with no outcome or timetable given.
- Which outlets RIA Novosti was referring to when it attributed the locomotive shortage to media reports. RIA Novosti's summary does not name the publication; Meduza attributes the figures to the Financial Times interview.
- The current size of Ukraine's remaining locomotive fleet and how many trains have been put out of service. Neither document gives numbers for locomotives destroyed or still operating.