Russia and Belarus signed a memorandum of understanding on October 1, 2026, in Minsk to establish a framework for designing, constructing, and operating a high-speed railway connecting Moskva and Minsk. The agreement was signed by Russian Transport Minister Andrey Nikitin and Belarusian Transport and Communications Minister Aleksei Lyakhnovich.
Project scope and route details
The proposed high-speed rail line will cover approximately 715 kilometers from Moskva to Minsk via Smolensk. It is designed to support train speeds up to 400 kilometers per hour, reducing the transit time between the two capitals to around three hours compared to the current seven to nine hours on existing services.
Trainsets and passenger market projections
The memorandum anticipates the deployment of 21 high-speed trainsets for the line. Initial passenger market estimates suggest the route could serve up to 5.8 million passengers annually, significantly improving connectivity between the Russian and Belarusian capitals.
Next steps in project development
Russian Railways (RZD) will initiate preliminary technical and economic assessments of the project. RZD and Belarusian rail authorities plan to establish detailed technical and project arrangements before any construction decisions. Financial and economic modeling is scheduled for 2028 and 2029, with construction expected to begin only after completion of the Moskva–St Petersburg high-speed railway, currently prioritized by Russia.
Background on bilateral rail cooperation
This high-speed rail project is part
of broader efforts to enhance rail connections between Russia and Belarus. Recent expansions include regional cross-border services that connect Smolensk with Orsha and Vitebsk, strengthening ties between the two countries’ rail networks.
