Ukrzaliznytsy to Hike Rates by 45% as Infrastructure Attacks Threaten Export Routes.

Rail Freight Tariffs Set to Rise

According to Espreso.tv: Ukraine’s state railway operator, Ukrzaliznytsia, is preparing a 45% tariff increase—a move that will still only cover half of its projected 26 billion hryvnia (around $587 million) shortfall. The company is struggling under more than $1 billion in bond debt, and this rate adjustment is meant to help stabilize its finances. Company official Oleksandr Pertsovskyi explained,

“45% isn’t enough because we have a significant gap. But we understand it’s a compromise that will at least let us hold on.”

Growing Pressure on Rail Operations

Compounding the financial strain, attacks on rail infrastructure have surged. Over 100 locomotives have been hit, along with energy facilities and routes leading to Odesa’s ports. Pertsovskyi described the spike in assaults as “simply insane.” These strikes are endangering critical export corridors—especially those linking the steel-producing hubs of Kryvyi Rih and Zaporizhzhia with ports and western border crossings. “Russia’s goal is to cut off key export routes,” he added.

Ukrzaliznytsia plans to present a new debt restructuring proposal by July, a step that could prove pivotal in overcoming its financial troubles. The company acknowledges it can no longer afford to subsidize certain sectors and is seeking balanced solutions to maintain stable freight operations and preserve its infrastructure.

The tariff hike underscores the railway’s precarious financial position as it tries to balance solvency with supporting the wartime economy. With infrastructure attacks on the rise, the operator faces mounting logistical challenges that could disrupt Ukraine’s export lifelines. Debt restructuring and strategic rate adjustments will be crucial for the future of the country’s rail transport system.