photo: METRANS / Public domain/Freight containers
Ukraine's incursion into Russia's Kursk region has led to significant disruptions in rail traffic, particularly affecting freight routes from Belarus.
The ongoing Russian war has caused Ukraine to advance in Kursk, which led to congestion on rail lines in the region and prompted Russian Railways (RZD) to halt the acceptance of freight trains from Belarus into the Smolensk and Kursk areas. The stoppage, which began on 12 August, has no end date.
According to the Belarusian Railway Workers Association (BelZhD), the invasion has compelled Russia to mobilize soldiers across the country to the Kursk front. This large-scale movement of troops by rail has overwhelmed the railway infrastructure, particularly in the Moscow Railway's Orlovsko-Kursk department. As a result, stations are clogged with abandoned trains, exacerbating the already strained situation.
The suspension of freight trains from Belarus is a direct consequence of these logistical bottlenecks. RZD has communicated the infrastructure overload to its Belarusian counterparts, citing the lack of
available locomotives and drivers as a critical issue. The rail operator's resources have been heavily redirected towards military needs, leaving insufficient capacity to manage regular freight traffic.
The challenges faced by Russian Railways are further compounded by the impact of Western sanctions, imposed as a response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which have delayed the maintenance and repair of the locomotive fleet. The sanctions have restricted Russia's ability to acquire essential spare parts, leading to a shortage of operational locomotives. Additionally, the widespread labor shortage caused by the military mobilization has strained RZD's capacity to manage its operations effectively.
The situation in Kursk remains fluid, with Ukraine reportedly continuing to expand its control over the region. The invasion has led to a transport collapse in the areas bordering Ukraine and Belarus, with Moscow losing control over significant portions of territory. The broader implications of this disruption are still unfolding, with potential long-term effects on Russia's rail infrastructure and its ability to sustain logistical operations during the conflict.
Source: mind; VoA