Ukraine Eyes Moldova Rail Route as Russian Strikes Put Grain Exports Under Pressure

Ukraine is exploring a rail route through Moldova to Romania as a safer alternative for moving grain abroad after intensified Russian attacks on Black Sea ports and shipping. According to Reuters, Kyiv has asked Moldova to offer a 50% discount on rail freight rates for Ukrainian grain, according to sources in both countries. In return, Moldova has proposed that Ukraine guarantee a certain volume of cargo for transit.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. The proposed route would carry Ukrainian grain by rail through Moldova to Romania’s port of Constanta, where it could be shipped onward by sea. “We are currently gathering information on potential volumes from interested shippers. The information-gathering process has not yet been completed,” a senior Ukrainian industry official told Reuters. A source at Moldovan Railways confirmed that Kyiv had requested the 50% discount. The two sides are now discussing the potential volumes and timing of the transit, the source said. Former Moldovan Railways chief Oleg Tofilat estimated that the route could handle around 4.5 million metric tons of grain annually. Ukrainian estimates suggest the corridor could eventually carry around 10% of the country’s exports. Moldova previously served as a transit route for Ukrainian grain in 2022-2023, after Russia’s full-scale invasion disrupted traditional Black Sea export routes. Russian strikes threaten Ukraine’s grain lifeline The push for an alternative comes as Russia has stepped up attacks on Ukraine’s southern ports and shipping infrastructure. Ukrainian grain exports have become increasingly vulnerable as Moscow targets facilities in the Odesa region, a critical hub for the country’s agricultural trade. Other Topics of Interest Russian Ballistic Missile Barrage Kills 9 Across Ukraine, Kyiv Warns of North Korean Missile Support Overnight attacks also left 24 wounded as missile, bomb, and drone threats spread across several major Ukrainian cities. Ukraine ships more than 90% of its grain exports through seaports, making the attacks a direct threat to one of the country’s most important export industries. Ukraine’s Agriculture Minister Taras Vysotskyi told Reuters on Monday that the government had cut its forecast for grain exports in the 2026-27 season to 38-40 million metric tons, down from an earlier estimate of 43 million tons. Agricultural analysts at APK-Inform were also more pessimistic, lowering their forecast by 8.6% to 39.4 million tons because of export disruptions. Moldova could also benefit financially from the expanded transit route. Prime Minister Vasile Tofan said Monday that Chisinau should seize the opportunity to earn millions of euros from Ukrainian grain shipments. He also rejected concerns from Moldovan farmers that Ukrainian grain could undercut domestic produce. “Let’s not look for enemies in places where there are none,” Tofan said on Moldovan television. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 97% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.