Ukrzaliznytsia plans to raise freight tariffs by 15% in 2027

The state railway monopoly is preparing another price increase for freight transport. From 1 January 2027, tariffs will rise by 15%. This decision is being made against the backdrop of a 30% indexation in August, a sharp decrease in transport volumes, and an ongoing conflict with major industrial players.

Financial pressure and loss forecasts

Under the leadership of Oleksandr Pertsovskyi, Ukrzaliznytsia expects to generate an additional UAH 12 billion thanks to the new tariffs. According to Valerii Tkachov, deputy head of the commercial department, without such indexation, the company's losses could reach UAH 50 billion.

Initially, the carrier considered a 69.5% increase, but settled on a lower figure.

One of Ukrzaliznytsia's main arguments in favour of indexation is the financial burden caused by passenger transport, which consistently operates at a loss.

In 2025, the freight segment generated UAH 68 billion in revenue against UAH 62 billion in costs. In contrast, passenger transport yielded only UAH 24 billion in revenue with costs of UAH 32 billion. Over the 2021–2025 period, cumulative losses in the passenger sector exceeded UAH 80 billion.

To support passenger services, the government allocated UAH 16 billion for state orders in 2026. Additionally, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the EU agreed to a loan of EUR 180 million and a grant of EUR 44 million. A further EUR 130 million from the EBRD is earmarked for supporting liquidity and the recovery of Ukrzaliznytsia.

Confrontation with industrialists

Freight transport volumes have plummeted: from 314 million tonnes in 2021 to 161 million tonnes in 2025. The forecast for 2026 stands at 127 million tonnes, and for 2027 at 149 million tonnes. Meanwhile, for the railway to operate without losses, it needs to transport at least 175 million tonnes.

For many factories, railway logistics account for 40–60% of production costs. Of the 100 quarries in the country, only 35 are currently operational. Five industry associations are demanding a moratorium on tariff increases.

Oleksandr Kalenkov, head of Ukrmetallurgprom, noted that Ukrzaliznytsia's additional costs amount to UAH 27 billion, of which UAH 18 billion is staff salaries.

Who is opposing the new prices

Among the opponents of the tariff policy are companies from Rinat Akhmetov and Vadym Novynskyi's Metinvest group, ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih owned by Lakshmi Mittal, as well as ferroalloy producers.

Bogdan Ivanliuk, a representative of the industrial sector, reported that the Northern and Central Mining and Beneficiation Complexes are operating at around 50% capacity, while iron ore prices have fallen by 30%.

Dmytro Mishchenko from the Zaporizhzhia Ferroalloy Plant complains about increased delivery times: if cargo previously took eight days to arrive, it now takes up to 32 days.

The materials also mention Cypriot companies Matrimax, Soltex, Tapesta, Walltron, and Halefield Holdings, linked to the Zaporizhzhia ferroalloy business.

Criminal proceedings surrounding procurement

A separate aspect of the problem is corruption cases. On 13 October 2026, the High Anti-Corruption Court found former SBU official and Presidential Office adviser Artem Shyla guilty.

According to the verdict, an organised group appropriated over UAH 236 million. During the procurement of nine transformers via Uzelektro, an SBU letter was used to eliminate a cheaper competitor, causing damages of UAH 95.1 million. The case also involves the transfer of USD 50,000 to Shyla and the laundering of UAH 461.8 million.

Based on a plea bargain, Shyla was sentenced to eight years in prison with a three-year probation period, a fine of UAH 204 million, special confiscation of over UAH 356 million, reimbursement of UAH 60 million to Ukrzaliznytsia, and the transfer of UAH 80 million to defence.

Viktor Bondar case and cable procurement

Another case (No. 991/1999/26) concerns the procurement of cable and wire products. It involves MP Viktor Bondar, entrepreneurs Volodymyr Dovbenko and Oleg Melnyk, as well as Ukrzaliznytsia procurement officer Oleksii Onysymyuk.

The investigation is checking for possible price inflation by 1.5–2 times, kickbacks of 2–15%, and damages exceeding UAH 140 million. The companies VP Ukrkabel and TD Ukrkabel-Kyiv, linked to the MP's mother, Halyna Bondar, are mentioned.

According to information on agreements with some participants in the proceedings, UAH 71 million was recovered, UAH 95 million in fines was paid, and UAH 25 million was directed to defence.

Investigation into paint procurement

Nikcenter journalists analysed 158 procurements of paints and enamels carried out by Ukrzaliznytsia for a total sum of UAH 699 million. In 42% of the tenders, there was only one participant, and 82% of contracts were awarded to three suppliers.

The company Tandem Service Pro, linked to Artur Dykhtiar, received orders worth UAH 154.6 million, having only four employees and a charter capital of UAH 50,000. Indirect links were also found with Forum Trade Logistic, which featured in an NABU case.

Mykola Dzoza's Plant of New Technologies received contracts worth UAH 64.7 million. This company is also mentioned in an NABU investigation.

Questions also arose regarding the procurement of insulating materials: two bids that were almost twice as cheap as the winner's price were rejected. A company linked to the family of Volodymyr Kapirula is mentioned.

Freight wagon market

Financial interests are also linked to the distribution of wagons through auctions. Grainsward LLC (whose owners are named as Serhiy Lesyk and Yurii Kozlov) generated revenue of UAH 594.91 million and a profit of UAH 87.48 million in 2025.

The debate over Ukrzaliznytsia's tariffs goes beyond the simple cost of transport. It encompasses the financial state of the state carrier, the competitiveness of industry, the distribution of rolling stock, and numerous criminal cases.