Russia’s road freight sector is actively expanding cargo transport routes to China, Mongolia, Iran, and other countries, seeking to compensate for losses incurred after being forced to halt European trucking operations, according to the Russian Ministry of Transport.
The announcement came during a general assembly of the International Road Transport Union (IRU) held in Moscow. The ministry acknowledged that Russian transport companies have faced serious challenges in recent years following European Union sanctions. With IRU involvement, the Russian government responded to these restrictions by implementing a cargo transfer and transshipment system at border crossings for carriers from “unfriendly” countries, allowing Russian firms to continue participating in freight movement between Russia and European nations.
“This has enabled domestic companies to continue participating in international cargo transport between Russia and European countries,” the ministry said in a statement. “Today, transport operations to countries such as China, Mongolia, and Iran are actively developing. This helps offset the losses sustained by Russian road transport after being compelled to cease European routes.”
Deputy Transport Minister Alexei Shilo attended the assembly and expressed confidence that continued cooperation with the IRU would further advance freight development along major international transport corridors, including the North-South and East-West routes, as well as other promising directions.
The ministry’s remarks reflect Russia’s broader strategic pivot toward non-Western trade partners amid sustained Western sanctions, with overland freight corridors to Asia and the Middle East becoming increasingly central to the country’s logistics infrastructure.
Source: Sputnik News, June 19, 2026
https://sputniknews.cn/20260619/1071946329.html