Russia intends to build a railway from Crimea to Rostov-on-Don

The Russian authorities have begun the construction of a railway in the occupied territories of Ukraine, which should connect Rostov-on-Don with the annexed Crimea. This was stated in an interview with “RIA Novosti” by the head of the Russian administration of the Zaporozhye region, Yevgeny Balitsky.

According to him, construction of the road has already begun “from the Donetsk side.” This was not reported earlier.

A railway from the Rostov region through Donetsk in the direction of Crimea exists, but it passes through the city of Zaporozhye, which remains under the control of Ukraine. As Balytskyi said, the new highway will pass from Akimovka through Berdyansk and Mariupol. Akimovka is a railway junction southwest of Melitopol. According to the head of the Russian administration, with the help of construction, “the issue of grain export to the continent, iron ore, scrap metal, coal and many elements that we today need to connect with the big land is solved.” Balytsky admitted that the way across the Krymsky bridge was not only long, but also unsafe. He also said that the railway “will solve the problem of the military”. He did not mention the estimated time frame for the completion of construction, he emphasized that the road will be built in one way without electrification.

Ukraine has previously repeatedly accused Russia of exporting grain and other goods and natural resources from the occupied territories.

The proposed railway route runs several tens of kilometers from the current front line – it is vulnerable to salvo missile systems, but not to conventional artillery.

Radio Svoboda previously reported on the construction of another railway line in the occupied territory – from Donetsk to Mariupol. It is being built by a company associated with the Russian Railways, which three years ago was selected by the state to use prisoners on the BAM construction site.