The financial condition of Russian companies engaged in international road transport continues to deteriorate. At the end of the first quarter of 2026, the average net financial result per truck was approximately a $1,500 loss per month. This was reported by the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine, according to UNN.
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For comparison, in 2023, carriers received an average of about $3.3 thousand in profit per truck each month. The Foreign Intelligence Service (SZR) notes that the main causes of the crisis are Western sanctions, a general slowdown of the Russian economy, falling demand for logistics services, as well as rising costs for fuel, leasing, maintenance, and taxes.
The consequence of these processes has been the aging of the vehicle fleet and an almost complete halt to its renewal, leading to a loss of competitiveness for Russian carriers in the international market.
China is displacing Russian companies
According to intelligence data, Chinese companies are actively taking advantage of the situation. Thanks to access to cheap loans and leasing, a modern vehicle fleet, and lower transportation costs, they are gradually displacing Russian carriers from the international logistics market.
The SZR believes that in the medium term, this could lead to Moscow losing control over a significant portion of foreign trade flows and an increase in Beijing's economic influence over the Russian market.
China increases transit to Europe bypassing Russia via the "Middle Corridor" – SZRU31.05.26, 11:45