27 July 2026
In Russia, the fuel crisis caused by strikes by the Ukrainian Armed Forces on Russian oil refineries has also affected industrial rail transport. According to the industry publication Gudok, operators of access tracks (non-public tracks) transporting freight from factories, mines, and quarries to the main Russian Railways network have faced a sharp increase in diesel fuel prices, disruptions in wholesale supplies, and a forced transition to more expensive small-scale wholesale purchases. As a result, the Promzheldortrans Association appealed to the Ministry of Energy with a request to prioritize diesel fuel supplies to industrial rail transport companies, warning that this is a matter of survival for the industry.
More than 80% of all freight in the country, including coal, metal, and military and chemical products, passes through private tracks. In the first half of 2026, loading on the Russian Railways network amounted to almost 549 million tons, with each train undergoing shunting operations on sidings before departure. Unlike the mainline network, which makes extensive use of electric traction, industrial rail transport is critically dependent on diesel locomotives and diesel generators.
According to Promzheldortrans, companies are experiencing delays in fuel deliveries and problems with purchasing on the exchange. In some regions, diesel prices reached 150–180 rubles per liter—more than double the level at the beginning of the year. Moreover, the association notes that the increase from 60 rubles occurred in just one week. For companies operating under long-term contracts and regulated tariffs, this price hike was critical.
Farid Khusainov of the Higher School of Economics reported that it is technically impossible for siding operators to replace diesel fuel. Pavel Ivankin, President of the National Research Center for Transportation and Infrastructure, emphasized that diesel fuel is essential not only for diesel locomotives but also for auxiliary equipment servicing infrastructure. Promzheldortrans Executive Director Alexander Manyakhin proposed creating joint working groups in the regions with the Ministry of Energy that would manually determine the priority of diesel fuel deliveries to companies that ensure the smooth operation of supply chains.
According to Reuters estimates, Russia lost approximately 40% of its refinery capacity as a result of the Ukrainian attacks. In the second week of July, gasoline production fell to 75,000–80,000 tons per day, compared to a summer peak of 115,000–120,000 tons. According to RBC, in June and July, full or partial restrictions on fuel sales were imposed in 80 regions, including Russian territories and occupied Ukrainian territories
The shithole is very large, and the railroad is the primary means of transport for the vast majority of its products, especially raw materials. As much as I enjoy seeing huge warehouses going up in flames, Ukraine must continue its mafia oil industry killing spree. Warehouses can be stuffed to the ceiling with military gear, but that won’t do the cockroach army one bit of good if they can’t be transported to the front for lack of fuel. The same goes for the entire cockroach economy. No fuel, no economy.