Russia Plans to Establish New Routes For Exporting Stolen Goods Via Ports in Kherson Region - Andriuschenko

The occupiers also aim to control the logistics in the lower part of the Dnipro River.

Under the guise of “infrastructure development,” Russia aims to actively expand a network of logistics corridors to serve military purposes and facilitate the systematic plundering of Ukrainian resources.

This was stated by Petro Andriuschenko, the head of the Center for Occupation Studies, the CFTS portal reports.

“The integration of railways, ports, and river transport creates a unified logistical backbone intended to strengthen control over the occupied territory and accelerate the export of stolen assets, and it complicates de-occupation efforts because of the enemy’s modernized infrastructure,” he said.

In particular, the plan calls for the construction of railway lines to Skadovsk and the modernization of existing lines to Henichesk. Both are cities with seaports. The plan also provides for the establishment of transport and logistics centers and industrial parks in these cities to enable the transshipment of goods between water, rail, and road transport. It also provides for the reconstruction of the ports themselves.

A separate logistics center is planned in the village of Velyki Kopani, along an existing railway line leading to the temporarily occupied Crimea. This is intended to streamline the export of agricultural products and relieve pressure on the road network. In addition, the plan calls for the creation of a river port and logistics center in Kakhovka, as well as the construction of rail lines to facilitate cargo transportation along the Dnipro River.

“Essentially, the Russians are implementing a model of multimodal transportation hubs to improve operational efficiency. Specifically, they are trying to fully integrate sea, rail, and road transportation, allowing the occupiers to quickly redirect cargo flows depending on the situation at the front. In addition, the transshipment of stolen agricultural products through the ports of Skadovsk and Henichesk allows them to be exported by sea, bypassing routes controlled by Ukraine and the potential 'coalition of the willing.' The port of Kakhovka is becoming a base for controlling the Dnipro River,” Andriuschenko said.

He added that the planned construction of a river port in Kakhovka will make it possible in the future (even in the case of a peace scenario in which Ukraine temporarily does not control part of the Kherson region) to create a river artery for transporting goods (including stolen agricultural products), bypassing land routes. Most importantly, according to him, it will allow Russia to strengthen its military presence and tighten its control over the left bank of the Dnipro River with impunity, which is a strategically important task for it.

“The creation of a multimodal hub in Velyki Kopani is the basis for 'grain convoys.' This logistics center is located on a direct route to the Crimea. It is a key point for the rapid transportation of Ukrainian grain to the Crimea, where it can be sold on the international market (including the black market) through seaports. In addition, such a hub will definitely facilitate the decongestion of roads, freeing up highways for increased use by military equipment,” he said.