The Freedom of Russia resistance movement has carried out a wave of sabotage operations across Russia, destroying dozens of locomotives used to transport weapons and ammunition for the war against Ukraine, according to Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR).
In a statement on Telegram, HUR said the Freedom of Russia partisans have been active since the start of the full-scale invasion and remain one of the most effective resistance groups operating on Russian territory.
A video released by the movement shows locomotives engulfed in flames in multiple locations. Kyiv Post could not independently verify the time or location of the footage.
According to HUR, the sabotage targeted locomotives used to supply weapons, ammunition, and equipment to Russian troops.
“The partisans’ incendiary cocktails incinerated the control and power systems of dozens of vehicles used for military cargo transport,” the statement said.
Intelligence officials said the attacks have slowed Russian logistics and disrupted the flow of resources to frontline units.
In a separate statement, the Freedom of Russia movement said it had delivered “powerful blows to the logistics of Putin’s army,” adding that while “those who’ve given up sit on cozy sofas, we’re acting and reaching a new level.”
The group claimed the control and power systems of the targeted trains were completely destroyed, making restoration impossible.
“The Legion’s resistance continues to grow stronger and spread across the country – Putin’s scum will live in fear and forget what ‘security’ means,” the movement said.
The video listed locations of sabotage, including Arkhangelskoye (Moscow region); Bezenchuk, Kinel-Cherkasy, Syzran, and Tolyatti (Samara region); Bogdanovich, Nizhny Tagil, Pervouralsk, and Bilimbay (Sverdlovsk region); Novokuznetsk (Kemerovo region); Syktyvkar (Komi Republic); Samara; Orel; and the occupied towns of Novooleksiivka in the Kherson region and Amvrosiivka in the Donetsk region.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Atesh partisan movement has also conducted multiple railway sabotages across Russia, disrupting the flow of military supplies to the front.
In late October, an Atesh agent blew up a key railway line near the village of Myslets in the Chuvash Republic, temporarily halting military train traffic. The group said the junction was vital for transporting weapons, ammunition, and fuel from factories in the Volga and Ural regions, forcing Russia to reroute supplies along longer routes.
Earlier in October, Atesh claimed another sabotage near Novocherkassk in the Rostov region, a key route for moving troops and equipment to the southern front. The attack reportedly triggered delays in vital shipments, reducing the intensity of Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities.
In September, the group reported several similar operations, including attacks near Yekaterinburg and in the North Caucasus, targeting rail lines used for transferring ammunition and vehicles to the front.
“Each strike creates a chain of disruptions – fewer shells, slower replenishment, and delayed repairs – giving Ukrainian forces an advantage on the battlefield,” Atesh said.
In early 2024, Russia’s state railways faced a growing crisis as Western sanctions on parts and components severely reduced freight capacity and locomotive availability.
Since late 2023, Russian Railways (RZHD) has struggled with a shortage of locomotives caused by longer and less effective repair times due to a lack of imported parts.
A company representative admitted the situation “particularly worsened” in the fourth quarter of 2023, forcing RZHD to seek quick fixes with service firms.
Though the total number of locomotives remains the same, operational capacity has fallen sharply. The Sverdlovsk railway has been hit hardest, with many trains sidelined for repairs that often fail, leading to frequent breakdowns.
RZHD operates about 20,000 locomotives. Of these, Lokotech (part of Transmashholding) maintains around 15,000, while STM-Service handles 5,000.
Both companies reported difficulties obtaining specialized lubricants, bearings, and electronic components due to sanctions, while staff shortages from mobilization have worsened the problem.