Russia damaged 310 locomotives in 2026 – infrastructure ministry
Russian attacks have damaged 310 locomotives since the start of 2026, compared with 227 damaged over the entire preceding period since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine's Minister for Reconstruction, Infrastructure and Transport Mykola Kalashnyk has said.
Ukraine's Minister for Reconstruction, Infrastructure and Transport, Mykola Kalashnyk, reported on May 15, 2026, that Russian attacks have caused damage to 310 locomotives since the beginning of 2026. This represents a significant increase from 227 locomotives damaged throughout the entire period prior to the full-scale invasion, which began on February 24, 2022.
In a meeting with the Verkhovna Rada's transport and infrastructure committee, Kalashnyk highlighted the urgent need for increased procurement of used locomotives, as well as plans to acquire new ones.
The strategic plan for 2026-2027 aims to restore 70% of locomotives and 10% of rolling stock, while also converting 25 railway stations into inclusive facilities. To protect railway infrastructure in frontline regions from drone attacks, the minister emphasized the installation of modular shelters, with 150 such structures already constructed this year. Ukrzaliznytsia, the state-owned railway operator, has additionally licensed the production of these shelters for wider use.
Kalashnyk revealed plans to expand production of modular shelters by the end of 2026 and equip all railway stations, including intermediate ones, with corresponding protection by the following year. The experimental public service obligation (PSO) model for rail passenger transport, which received UAH 16 billion in budget allocation this year for the first time, will continue into the next year.
Among other initiatives, Kalashnyk announced the completion of the electrification of the Chop-Uzhhorod section this year and the commencement of reconstruction on the Mostyska-Sknyliv rail line. Additionally, five checkpoints will undergo modernization, and a new checkpoint will be created. In the realm of road transport, electronic waybills will be introduced, while the taxi market and transportation through digital platforms will be reformed.
Kalashnyk also mentioned plans to draft a bill outlining principles for infrastructure reconstruction by the first quarter of 2027.
Written by urgent.news from Interfax-Ukraine's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
