Ukraine is almost out of locomotives: negotiations are underway to supply rolling stock from Europe

Ukraine is nearing depletion of its locomotive reserves amid Russian attacks on the railway, and is in negotiations with European partners to procure additional rolling stock. This was reported by the Financial Times, citing Minister of Agrarian Policy Taras Vysotsky.

According to the minister, negotiations are ongoing with countries whose railways have the same track gauge as Ukraine's.

The executive director of TIS, Mykyta Gruhov, stated that three locomotives have been lost only in the area of the company's terminal at the South port. According to him, the shortage of rolling stock has already become a weak point in port logistics.

As noted by FT, even the resumption of operations at Black Sea ports does not resolve the issue of delivering goods to the docks: maritime exports depend not only on the safety of shipping, but also on the railway's ability to transport goods. In recent weeks, Russia has intensified attacks on trains carrying grain and iron ore – key Ukrainian export goods.

Previously, the government approved new rules for railway and train station operations based on the level of air hazard. At a yellow level, trains operate according to the schedule, and passengers board and disembark; at a red level, passenger boarding and train departures are suspended, and people proceed to shelters.

According to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Andriy Sybiga, since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Russian forces have damaged or completely destroyed over 500 Ukrainian locomotives, with more than half of them being damaged or destroyed this year alone.