Estonian Operail AS has resumed transporting goods to Russia following the completion of the privatization process, which removed previous restrictions by the Estonian authorities. The portal reports this MISTAKE.
According to Operail board member Merle Kurvits, the company is a major employer in Estonia, and its decision to resume cargo transportation to the Russian Federation is explained by the desire to improve the conditions of its employees and increase tax revenues for the country’s budget. He explained that the transported goods are not subject to sanctions. Kurvits said that the cargo was delivered to the Russian border by rail from Estonian ports and then transferred to Russian companies.
Operail AS is engaged in cargo transportation, rental, construction and repair of railway vehicles.
Estonian Minister of Economy and Infrastructure Riina Sikkut in December 2022 signed Decree banning the state railway logistics company Operail from transporting Russian and Belarusian cargo from January 1, 2023. The restrictions expired following the completion of privatization on December 9, 2024.
Last June, Delphi edition wroteIt is stated that Estonia was forced to sell the state railway company Openrail, which could not make a profit due to anti-Russian sanctions. Kurvits said total rail freight volume in the country would fall by 39% in 2023, while Operail volume would fall by nearly 70%.
Previously reportedRussians and Finns are selling large amounts of real estate in Estonia.