Because of Russian strikes, Ukraine has almost no reserve locomotives left. This further complicates grain exports

Because of Russian strikes, Ukraine has almost no reserve locomotives left. This further complicates grain exports

In recent weeks, Russian forces have increased the intensity of strikes on Ukrainian freight trains. There are almost no reserve locomotives left, Ukraine’s Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Taras Vysotskyi told the Financial Times.

According to him, the Ukrainian authorities are negotiating with European allies on the supply of locomotives designed for the same track gauge (1520 mm).

Freight rail transport is used, among other things, to carry grain and ore — the main goods of Ukrainian exports.

The disabling of locomotives, the outlet notes, creates even greater difficulties for exporting grain from Ukraine. Grain exports have been significantly hampered by strikes on Ukrainian port infrastructure.

According to Vysotskyi’s estimate, if the ports remain closed, Ukraine will lose at least eight billion dollars in the period from June of this year to June 2027.

@meduzalive