# Russia's state news agency puts Ukraine's port losses above $7 billion as Kyiv reports 630 locomotives destroyed

Merchant ships still avoid Odesa, Chornomorsk and Pivdennyi after nearly four months, and President Zelensky has started regular meetings with mayors on winter preparations.

- Published: 2026-11-14T05:15:42.881Z
- Canonical: https://polylog.news/2026-11-14/russia-s-state-news-agency-puts-ukraine-s-port-losses-above
- Publisher: Polylog (Global desk)
- Section: geopolitics
- Sources: [TASS](https://tass.com/economy/2218101), [Ukrinform](https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-economy/4184350-ukraine-has-lost-630-locomotives-to-russian-attacks-nearly-400-of-them-this-year-kalashnyk.html), [Ukrinform](https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/4184566-zelensky-holds-meeting-with-mayors-on-winter-preparations-says-talks-will-be-regular.html), [Euromaidan Press (Bloomberg)](https://euromaidanpress.com/2026/08/21/odesa-strikes-push-ukrainian-farmers-toward-bankruptcy-bloomberg-reports/)

TASS, the Russian state news agency, reported that Ukraine has [lost more than $7 billion from nearly four months of port downtime](https://tass.com/economy/2218101). It said commercial ships continue to avoid the ports of Odesa, Chornomorsk and Pivdennyi (Yuzhny in Russian). The figure comes from a party to the war, and Kyiv has not confirmed it. Independent reporting supports the direction. By July 23, [merchant ships had stopped calling at Ukraine's Black Sea ports](https://thepublic.info/en/news/shipowners-have-suspended-calls-at-ukraines-black-sea-ports) even though the government had not closed them. Bloomberg, citing Kpler data, reported that weekly grain and oilseed exports [fell by more than 90% from early July](https://euromaidanpress.com/2026/08/21/odesa-strikes-push-ukrainian-farmers-toward-bankruptcy-bloomberg-reports/). The Agriculture Ministry warned that storage could run out by early November if exports did not recover.

Russian strikes have also hit rail, the main alternative route to the ports. Ukrinform, the state news agency, quoted an official named Kalashnyk as saying Ukraine has [lost 630 locomotives to Russian attacks](https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-economy/4184350-ukraine-has-lost-630-locomotives-to-russian-attacks-nearly-400-of-them-this-year-kalashnyk.html) since the full-scale invasion began, nearly 400 of them this year. Each side publicizes the other's losses. Moscow's figure stresses what Ukraine is losing, and Kyiv's emphasizes Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure.

Kyiv is preparing for a winter of attacks on its power grid. President Volodymyr Zelensky met mayors from across the country on [winter preparations](https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/4184566-zelensky-holds-meeting-with-mayors-on-winter-preparations-says-talks-will-be-regular.html) and said the meetings will become regular. Ukraine, for its part, is continuing drone strikes on Russian refineries and logistics. Each side is trying to reduce the other's export income.

## What this means

The pressure works through foreign currency income. Grain and ore exports through Odesa are Ukraine's main source of earnings apart from foreign aid, so losing them widens the external financing gap that Europe and the IMF must cover. Ukrainian farmers, the hryvnia, and buyers of Black Sea grain in North Africa and the Middle East are the most exposed. Russian exporters gain market share in wheat. The market expects these disruptions to be temporary. Four months without regular shipping suggests the loss is becoming lasting, because shipowners and insurers set their own limits regardless of what governments say. In 2023, after Russia left the grain deal, Ukraine reopened its corridor within weeks by using its navy and drones. That has not happened this time. The likelier outcome through the winter is that exports stay depressed and Kyiv's need for European budget support grows, which strengthens Europe's case for a seat in any settlement. This depends on continued Russian attacks on ships near Odesa. It would be wrong if major shipping lines such as Maersk resume calls at Chornomorsk.

## What to watch

- Watch monthly grain export figures from Ukraine's Agriculture Ministry. A recovery toward last season's levels would show the corridor working again.
- Watch whether war-risk insurance for Black Sea calls becomes available at lower rates. Cheaper cover would show shipowners judge the threat to be easing.
- Watch the scale of European budget support approved for Ukraine in the coming months. Larger packages would show Europe paying for the loss of port revenue.