吱嘎作响的车轮：俄罗斯铁路货运量连续三个季度下滑，战争成本持续攀升

Core Insights - The cargo volume of Russian Railways decreased by 5.4% in August 2025 compared to the same period last year, marking the third consecutive quarter of decline [1][3] - The ongoing war and sanctions have severely impacted the Russian economy, with the railway company handling 87% of the country's freight transport, indicating a direct correlation with key industrial sectors' production vitality [3][12] Group 1: Cargo Volume and Economic Impact - In August 2025, the cargo volume was only 92.2 million tons, down from 97.2 million tons in August 2024, with a total transport volume of 738.8 million tons for the first eight months of the year, reflecting a 7.1% year-on-year decline [3] - The transportation crisis highlights the effectiveness of Western sanctions and suggests a diminishing capacity for Russia to sustain a prolonged war, which is critical information for policymakers considering continued support for Ukraine [4] Group 2: Sector-Specific Declines - Significant declines were observed in strategic sectors: construction materials transport fell by 15%, black metal shipments dropped by 17.3%, coal decreased by 3.6%, oil transport declined by 4.9% due to refinery maintenance issues, and grain transport plummeted by 30.7% due to poor harvests and export restrictions [5] Group 3: Labor Shortages and Infrastructure Challenges - Labor shortages have worsened as thousands of railway workers were conscripted, leading to a shortfall of 2,500 engineers and 3,000 locomotive crew members, resulting in approximately 200 train services being canceled daily [9] - Ukrainian drone attacks continue to target Russian railway infrastructure, disrupting both military supply lines and civilian cargo transport [11] Group 4: Financial Struggles and Future Outlook - Due to financial difficulties, Russian Railways has been forced to place employees on unpaid "leave," indicating the company's dire situation [14] - The ongoing decline in transport metrics serves as a leading indicator of economic recession, suggesting that the Russian economic foundation is deteriorating under the pressures of sustained warfare and international isolation [12]