European gauge proposal: unreasonable or strategic for Finland?
Finland’s Minister of Transport and Communications Timo Harakka has called the recent proposal by the European Commission on the European standard rail gauge “unreasonable”. The views of Finnish officials and experts vary, but specifically the...Read more
Russian Railways requests EU to lift sanctions
The Russian Railways have proceeded with an official request to the European Union to lift sanctions against the company. RZD was among the first legal entities to enter EU sanction lists just days after the...Read more
Hungary proceeds with Budapest bypass, with or without Russian support
Hungary is moving ahead with the V0 rail freight line bypassing Budapest, despite the complicated relationship it currently has with Russia. Russia vowed to support the construction of the east-west bypass in February this year,...Read more
At least 6,300 kilometres of tracks damaged in Ukraine
Since the beginning of Russia’s war against Ukraine, at least 6,300 kilometres of railways and 41 railway bridges have been damaged. The projected costs are least 3,4 billion euros, the KSE Institute of the Kyiv...Read more
Siemens announces withdrawal from Russia, Mobility division takes hit
Siemens announced its withdrawal from the Russian market on Thursday during the presentation of its quarterly results. Siemens Mobility, already heavily impacted following international sanctions on Russia, will likely take the biggest hit.Read more
Financially battered Lithuanian Railways forced to let go of 2,000 employees
Lithuanian Railways (LTG Group) are forced to release around 2,000 employees in an attempt to cope with the increasing financial losses following sanctions against Russia and tension between Lithuania and China. The company has consulted...Read more
Railway sabotage after 50 days of war in Ukraine: here is what we know
There have been reports of alleged railway sabotage to hinder the movements of Russian goods, equipment and troops into the field of battle in Ukraine for months. What reports of sabotage have there been so...Read more
Key Russian railway bridge damaged after possible act of sabotage
A key Russian railway bridge in the Belgorod region near the border with Ukraine has suffered extensive damage following a possible act of sabotage. The Russian authorities have confirmed the destruction of the tracks, various...Read more
LTG Infra receives state funding to cope with losses due to sanctions
The Lithuanian government will allocate 20 million euros to railway manager LTG Infra. Due to the sanctions against Russia, less goods are transported through Lithuania, resulting in lower income for rail infrastructure manager LTG. Read more
Finland phases out rail freight traffic to Russia
Finland will completely stop rail freight transport to neighboring Russia in the nearby future. This was decided by the board of the Finnish railway company VR Group on Wednesday 6 April.Read more
Rail freight Finland-Russia resumes, UK sanctions don’t apply after all
UpdateThree days after suspending traffic between Finland and Russia, VR Transpoint will resume services effective Wednesday, 30 March. The decision to restart rail freight operations to and from Russia follows on consultation with the UK...Read more
Finland halts passenger and freight trains to Russia
Finnish operator VR Group has suspended all passenger and freight trains to Russia. On Sunday, the last Allegro train from St Petersburg to Helsinki left the station. Read more
Railway connections between Belarus and Ukraine sabotaged to hinder Russian troops
Parts of the railway connections between Belarus and Ukraine have been sabotaged in an effort to hinder the movement of Russian equipment into Ukraine, Franak Viacorka, senior advisor to Belarusian opposition leader in exile Sviatlana...Read more