Finland donates 10 former VR Dv12 diesel locomotives to Ukrzaliznytsia

Finland will transfer ten operational Dv12 diesel locomotives and a spare parts package to Ukrzaliznytsia free of charge. An agreement covering the donation was signed in Kyiv on 22 October 2026 during the Ukrainian-Finnish Business Forum. Finland is the first country to provide locomotives to Ukrzaliznytsia free of charge, as Ukraine seeks additional traction following extensive losses caused by Russian attacks. The locomotives will come from the fleet of Finnish state-owned operator VR. The company has approved the transfer of ten Dv12 locomotives and spare parts to the Finnish state, which will subsequently donate them to Ukraine. According to the Finnish government, the locomotives remain operational but were due to be decommissioned. Their donation will not affect VR's railway operations. The agreement was signed by Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, Ukrainian Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi and Ukrzaliznytsia Chairman Oleksandr Pertsovskyi. Ukraine has lost hundreds of locomotives during the war According to Ukrainian authorities, nearly 600 Ukrzaliznytsia locomotives have been damaged or destroyed since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion, including more than 300 diesel locomotives. Some cannot be repaired, while restoring others requires considerable time and financial resources. Diesel traction has become particularly important as Russian attacks increasingly target Ukraine's energy infrastructure. Unlike electric locomotives, diesel locomotives can continue operating during disruptions to the overhead power supply, supporting freight movements, passenger services and humanitarian transport. The Finnish donation is the first result of an initiative launched during the Carpathian Eight summit, where Ukraine began forming an international coalition to secure second-hand locomotives from partner countries. Discussions with other potential donors are continuing.