Logistics during wartime is a matter of national security and defense capability: Oleksii Kuleba

Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration of Ukraine – Minister for Communities and Territories Development, Oleksii Kuleba, took part in a meeting of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Transport and Infrastructure. During the meeting, the Committee members discussed the situation and key challenges in the transport sector in the context of full-scale war.

The meeting was also attended by Deputy Ministers for Communities and Territories Development Serhii Derkach, Andrii Kashuba, and Oleksii Balesta, who presented detailed results of their work in respective areas.

Oleksii Kuleba stressed that logistics in wartime is a critically important component of national security, which is why russia is systematically attacking ports, railways, roads, and other transport infrastructure.

"Logistics in a period of full-scale war is, first and foremost, a matter of security and defense capability. The enemy strikes at what connects the country, ensures exports, business operations, supplies to the regions, and the viability of frontline communities. Despite constant attacks, the system is working, and our task is not only to restore it but also to lay the groundwork for the development of the industry after the war," Oleksii Kuleba said.

According to the Deputy Prime Minister, since the start of the full-scale invasion, 686 port infrastructure facilities and 150 civilian vessels have been either damaged or destroyed, and 224 civilians, including foreign nationals, have been injured. The enemy has launched more than 4,700 strikes on Ukrzaliznytsia's infrastructure, damaging nearly 24,000 facilities. Since the beginning of the year alone, 266 strikes on rolling stock and railway facilities have been recorded.

During the meeting, special attention was paid to legislative activities aimed at developing the transport industry. Oleksii Kuleba thanked the MPs for supporting bill No. 14174 “On the safety and interoperability of rail transport,” which had been passed in the first reading, and also called to support bill No. 5651-2 on travel benefits, which introduces a transparent, digital and financially secure compensation mechanism.

The Deputy Prime Minister also highlighted the key results of the sector's work:

- Railways: a 20% increase in international passenger traffic with the EU, the construction of the first European gauge railway track between Chop and Uzhhorod since independence, the renewal of rolling stock, and the signing of an agreement with Alstom for the supply of 55 electric locomotives.

- Ports: stable operation of six seaports and the Ukrainian Maritime Corridor, through which 173 million tonnes of cargo were transported, including over 103 million tonnes of grain.

- Road transport: extension of the “transport visa-free regime” with the EU until 2027, scaling up of eCherha and launch of e-CMR.

- Checkpoints: introduction of modular solutions, which made it possible to modernize 10 checkpoints and save about UAH 1.5 billion.

- Aviation: maintaining airport readiness, stable operation of UkSATSE, and preparation of the Civil Aviation Development Strategy until 2030.

In conclusion, Oleksii Kuleba emphasized that logistics is a single ecosystem around which communities and the economy develop, whose advancement cannot be separated from regional planning policies.

"Ukraine is a transit country. That is why the development of communities and territories is possible only if a new, sustainable model of transport and communication routes is formed," the Deputy Prime Minister stressed.

The Ministry for Communities and Territories Development continues to work closely with Parliament on legislative decisions necessary for the sustainability of logistics, infrastructure restoration, and Ukraine's European integration.