Rail passenger traffic to Crimea fell by half over the summer

Passenger traffic on trains between mainland Russia and occupied Crimea fell by nearly half during the past resort season. From May through September, only 1.7 million passengers traveled by rail, compared to 3.1 million a year earlier.

This was reported by Suspilne. Crimea.

At the same time, the occupying authorities in Crimea have been unable to restore rail service with Russia. According to the Russian carrier“Grand Service Express,” trains will run only as far as the city of Kerch until October 26.

Restrictions on train traffic on the Crimean Railway have been in effect since June 2026 following a series of strikes on the peninsula’s railway infrastructure. Coordinated bus routes have been organized for passengers traveling between Kerch and other stations in Crimea. 

According to a military expert from Crimea, a former Ukrainian officer and reserve lieutenant colonel, the railroad is one of the key means of transporting military cargo. In terms of transport volume, he noted, road and sea transport cannot compete with it.

He explained that maritime transport is cheaper but slower. At the same time, after Ukraine took control of the Black Sea waters, the Russians stopped sending military transports and large landing ships carrying equipment, weapons, and ammunition to Crimea.

Юлія Калабайда