Ukrainian Parliamentary Committee Holds Session on Transport and Infrastructure
Deputy Prime Minister for the Restoration of Ukraine, Oleksiy Kuleba, attended a session of the Ukrainian Parliament's Committee on Transport and Infrastructure. The meeting focused on the state of the nation's transport sector during wartime, presenting data on infrastructure damage and key operational results across various transport modes.
Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, the following Ukrainian assets have been damaged or destroyed:
- 686 port infrastructure facilities;
- 150 civilian vessels;
- 224 civilian casualties, including foreign citizens.
Ukrzaliznytsia, the state railway, has endured over 4,700 attacks, damaging nearly 24,000 of its assets. Since the beginning of this year alone, 266 strikes have been recorded against rolling stock and railway facilities.
Kuleba emphasized that wartime logistics are a critical component of national security, as Russia systematically targets ports, railways, roads, and other transport infrastructure. He also stressed that logistics development cannot be separated from regional development policy.
Legislative Changes and Key Achievements
The committee session reviewed legislative changes aimed at fostering transport development. Key bills discussed included draft law No. 14174 'On Railway Transport Safety and Interoperability' and draft law No. 5651-2 concerning preferential travel.
In the railway sector, notable progress includes:
- A 20% increase in international passenger connections with the EU;
- Construction of the first European-gauge railway line since independence, connecting Chop and Uzhhorod;
- A signed agreement with Alstom for the supply of 55 electric locomotives.
Other significant results presented were:
- Stable operations at six seaports;
- The functioning of the Ukrainian Sea Corridor, which has transported 173 million tons of cargo, including over 103 million tons of grain;
- Extension of the EU's 'transport visa-free' agreement with Ukraine until 2027;
- Modernization of 10 border crossing points, saving approximately UAH 1.5 billion;
- Preparation of a Civil Aviation Development Strategy up to 2030.
Kuleba concluded by stating that logistics form a unified ecosystem around which communities and the economy develop. The discussions underscore the vital importance of restoring and developing Ukraine's transport infrastructure under wartime conditions. Given the extensive damage and the growing need for efficient logistics to ensure security and economic growth, implementing new legislative initiatives could be a key factor in the sector's recovery. This, in turn, would positively impact the country's overall economic health and further its integration into the European transport network.