Russian Railways CEO Announces Increase in Freight Traffic with Armenia
01.09.2026,
17:41
Russian Railways CEO Oleg Belozerov told Vesti News Agency that freight traffic with Armenia has increased.
YEREVAN, September 1. /ARKA/. Russian Railways CEO Oleg Belozerov told Vesti News Agency that freight traffic with Armenia has increased.
He noted the increase in Russian freight traffic passing through Azerbaijan toward Armenia.
"Transport volumes are increasing, including Russian freight transiting Azerbaijan toward Armenia. While previously it was a closed system, additional opportunities for transportation have now emerged specifically to Armenia. A large volume is also coming from Russia," Belozerov said.
Belozerov emphasized that Russian Railways views itself as a bona fide and willing participant in the concession, interested in the further development of transport corridors.
"We are a good and willing participant in this concession because the conditions can be established within Armenia, including through tariffs for transportation on Russian railways." "That is, we believe this is quite a significant advantage. We remember the assistance our government provided in restoring the railways in Armenia. Funds were allocated from the Russian budget at the time, and we, as specialists, restored service as quickly as possible," he concluded.
On Armenia's plans for the South Caucasus Railway
Since 2008, Armenia's railway network has been under the concession management of South Caucasus Railways, a subsidiary of Russian Railways.
In February 2026, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan did not rule out the possibility of transferring the railway's management rights to another country friendly to both Armenia and Russia, such as Kazakhstan, the UAE, or Qatar.
On July 30, Pashinyan admitted to financial demands on Russia in the amount of approximately $2 billion in the context of the South Caucasus Railway concession, noting that Yerevan hopes to resolve the issue through dialogue.
On the same day, Russian Railways CEO Oleg Belozerov stated that the Russian side intends to adhere to the terms of the concession agreement and, in the event of its termination or amendment, expects a return on investment. According to Russian estimates, over 30 billion rubles have been invested in the Armenian railway system since the concession was signed.
On Goods Deliveries between Armenia and Azerbaijan
Freight transit to Armenia through Azerbaijan became possible after Baku announced the lifting of all restrictions on such transit on October 21, 2025.
The first rail shipments of Russian and Kazakh grain arrived in Armenia via Azerbaijan and Georgia in November 2025.
Direct deliveries of goods from Azerbaijan to Armenia began on December 19, 2025. A 22-car train carrying 1,218 tons of Azerbaijani-produced A95 gasoline arrived in the republic by rail through Georgia. The fuel was purchased by two private companies.
Subsequently, oil product deliveries from Azerbaijan continued.
According to the South Caucasus Railway, by mid-May 2026, approximately 45,000 tons of cargo from Russia, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan had been transported through Azerbaijan to Armenia.
He noted the increase in Russian freight traffic passing through Azerbaijan toward Armenia.
"Transport volumes are increasing, including Russian freight transiting Azerbaijan toward Armenia. While previously it was a closed system, additional opportunities for transportation have now emerged specifically to Armenia. A large volume is also coming from Russia," Belozerov said.
Belozerov emphasized that Russian Railways views itself as a bona fide and willing participant in the concession, interested in the further development of transport corridors.
"We are a good and willing participant in this concession because the conditions can be established within Armenia, including through tariffs for transportation on Russian railways." "That is, we believe this is quite a significant advantage. We remember the assistance our government provided in restoring the railways in Armenia. Funds were allocated from the Russian budget at the time, and we, as specialists, restored service as quickly as possible," he concluded.
On Armenia's plans for the South Caucasus Railway
Since 2008, Armenia's railway network has been under the concession management of South Caucasus Railways, a subsidiary of Russian Railways.
In February 2026, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan did not rule out the possibility of transferring the railway's management rights to another country friendly to both Armenia and Russia, such as Kazakhstan, the UAE, or Qatar.
On July 30, Pashinyan admitted to financial demands on Russia in the amount of approximately $2 billion in the context of the South Caucasus Railway concession, noting that Yerevan hopes to resolve the issue through dialogue.
On the same day, Russian Railways CEO Oleg Belozerov stated that the Russian side intends to adhere to the terms of the concession agreement and, in the event of its termination or amendment, expects a return on investment. According to Russian estimates, over 30 billion rubles have been invested in the Armenian railway system since the concession was signed.
On Goods Deliveries between Armenia and Azerbaijan
Freight transit to Armenia through Azerbaijan became possible after Baku announced the lifting of all restrictions on such transit on October 21, 2025.
The first rail shipments of Russian and Kazakh grain arrived in Armenia via Azerbaijan and Georgia in November 2025.
Direct deliveries of goods from Azerbaijan to Armenia began on December 19, 2025. A 22-car train carrying 1,218 tons of Azerbaijani-produced A95 gasoline arrived in the republic by rail through Georgia. The fuel was purchased by two private companies.
Subsequently, oil product deliveries from Azerbaijan continued.
According to the South Caucasus Railway, by mid-May 2026, approximately 45,000 tons of cargo from Russia, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan had been transported through Azerbaijan to Armenia.
