Belarusian National River Fleet effectively ceases to exist – intelligence
As reported by Ukrinform, this was stated by the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine.
According to intelligence data, the company, which managed more than 160 vessels and barges as well as five ports in the Dnipro-Bug river basin, proved unable to meet even its most basic financial obligations.
As of December 1, 2025, the enterprise’s total debt had reached 18.5 million Belarusian rubles, equivalent to approximately USD 6.36 million. Of this amount, 9.3 million Belarusian rubles (about USD 3.2 million) were already subject to enforcement proceedings.
Additionally, the company’s accounts held only 35,000 Belarusian rubles, equivalent to approximately USD 12,000, making it impossible to pay wages to nearly 400 employees or to cover mandatory payments.
“Under the current political and economic conditions, there are no prospects for the revival of the river fleet in Belarus. A combination of management decisions, infrastructure losses, and restrictions formed during Lukashenko’s rule has led to the destruction of the industry, and its recovery under this regime seems unlikely,” the intelligence service noted.
As Ukrinform previously reported, Belarus is rapidly moving into Russia’s economic orbit, with this dependence already encompassing key sectors, including energy, trade, finance, investment, and the defense industry.
