Kazakhstan, Russia expand rail transit 4% in seven months
This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.
Kazakhstan and Russia reported a 4% increase in rail freight transit in the first seven months of 2026, reaching 56.1 million tonnes. Transport officials from both countries met at the Iletsk-1 border crossing to discuss expanding capacity and accelerating cargo processing. The meeting followed a 3.5% rise in rail freight to 92 million tonnes in 2025.
Key Facts
- Rail freight between Kazakhstan and Russia reached 56.1 million tonnes in January–July 2026, up 4% year-on-year.
- Total rail freight between the two countries was 92 million tonnes in 2025, a 3.5% increase from 2024.
- At the Iletsk-1 crossing, receiving and departure tracks were extended to handle longer trains.
- Kazakhstan is modernizing 30 border crossing points with Russia.
- Officials discussed integration of information systems, e-SMR, E-Permit, and a pilot project for unmanned vehicles.
Rail Freight Growth
Rail freight between Kazakhstan and Russia reached 56.1 million tonnes in the first seven months of 2026, a 4% increase compared with the same period in 2025. For the full year 2025, the volume was 92 million tonnes, up 3.5% from 2024. The figures were announced during a working meeting of transport officials from both countries at the Iletsk-1 intergovernmental border crossing.
Iletsk-1 Capacity Expansion
Under an approved roadmap, receiving and departure tracks at Iletsk-1 were extended to allow more efficient passage of long trains. Additional lighting was installed in the control zone, and new workplaces were created to speed up processing of transport documents. Kazakhstan and Russia confirmed their readiness to continue joint work on railway infrastructure and border crossing capacity. Kazakhstan is modernizing 30 border crossing points with Russia.
Digital Integration and Border Procedures
At a separate meeting at the Alimbet road crossing in Aktobe region, officials discussed integration of information systems and digitalization of transport procedures. Topics included development of e-SMR, transition to E-Permit, data exchange from inspection complexes in a pilot project, and use of navigation seals. The meeting was led by Kazakhstan's Vice Minister of Transport Maksat Kaliakparov and Russia's Deputy Minister of Transport Valentin Ivanov.
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Kazakhstan, Russia expand rail transit 4% in seven months
