Иллюстративное фото: Reform.by
Belarus significantly increased its rail exports to the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine in January-April 2026, according to the Community of Belarusian Railway Workers (CBRW).
In 2024, freight traffic was largely one-way, consisting primarily of imports into Belarus of raw materials and industrial goods from the occupied regions of Ukraine. In 2025, exports of Belarusian goods increased substantially, and the trend became even more pronounced in the first half of 2026.
According to the 2025 results, Belarus imported 911 freight cars carrying a total of 57,319 tonnes of cargo from the occupied territories of Ukraine. In the opposite direction, 470 freight cars carrying a total of 26,392 tonnes of cargo were shipped.
In January-April 2026, Belarus imported 67 freight cars carrying 3,808 tonnes of cargo. During the same period, 573 freight cars carrying 31,519 tonnes of cargo were shipped from Belarus to the occupied territories of Ukraine and Crimea.
“The most notable increase was in supplies of gasoline, diesel fuel, and liquefied petroleum gas to Crimea, as well as to the occupied parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions,” the CBRW noted. Belarus also exports cement, reinforced concrete products, and other construction materials to the occupied territories.
The increase in petroleum product exports became noticeable in the fourth quarter of 2025. During that period, Belarus shipped 11,605 tonnes (224 tank cars) of gasoline, diesel fuel, and liquefied petroleum gas to the occupied territories. The main departure stations were Barbarau and Navapolatsk, with Crimea being the primary destination.
The largest commodity category was unleaded motor gasoline, with 6,656 tonnes (128 tank cars) exported. Most of it was shipped from the Barbarau station of the Homiel division of the Belarusian Railway by the Mozyr Oil Refinery. Belarus also exported 3,575 tonnes (65 tank cars) of diesel fuel.
In January-April 2026, Belarus shipped 573 freight cars carrying a total of 31,519 tonnes of cargo to the occupied territories, including 13,364 tonnes (257 tank cars) of gasoline and 12,825 tonnes (234 tank cars) of diesel fuel.
“During the first four months of 2026, shipments of gasoline and diesel fuel reached 26,189 tonnes, exceeding the combined volume of gasoline, diesel fuel, and liquefied petroleum gas transported during the whole of 2025 by a factor of 2.05,” the CBRW wrote.
The geography of fuel shipments also changed compared with 2025. While in the fourth quarter of 2025 a significant share of fuel was transported to Crimea and to the Gukovo station, in early 2026 deliveries were made directly both to Crimea and to stations operated by the Donetsk and Luhansk branches of the Russian state railway enterprise ZDN.