Russia faces increasing difficulty shipping commodities to China through its vast eastern rail network, a sign of the growing economic challenges stemming from war and sanctions, despite the Kremlin’s assurances that all is well.

The Russian Federation is facing difficulties in delivering goods to China via its eastern railway network. This indicates growing economic challenges caused by Russia's war in Ukraine, Bloomberg reports.

EU sanctions chief David O'Sullivan and Ukrainian officials have pointed to China as the main route for sales of foreign technology to Russia.

Russia's rail industry is in its worst downturn since the Great Financial Crisis, according to an estimate from MMI Research.