Russian Railways, the state-owned company, said that cargo volumes on Russian Railways fell by 5.6% in 2025, as shipments of oil, coal, metals, and construction declined.

The decline in rail cargo volumes, a key economic indicator of the health of Russia's export economy, was due to a slowdown in Russia's war-driven economy and global market conditions.

Data published by the State company show that cargo?loading has reached a 16-year low of 1.116?billion tonne in 2025.

Russian Railways is the largest employer in the country and it's struggling with its debt of 4 trillion roubles ($50.70billion) amid falling revenue from cargo transportation.

Russian Railways is planning to reduce its spending by 20% from 2025, to 713.6 billion Rubbles for the year 2026. This would affect their suppliers throughout the country. $1 = 78.9000 Roubles (Reporting and editing by Guy Faulconbridge; Reporting by Gleb Stoliarov)

(source: Reuters)