Russian Railways CEO Oleg Belozerov secures five more years at the helm

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has extended Oleg Belozerov's term as CEO and Chairman of Russian Railways (RZD) for another five years. The decision comes after a strong financial year for the company, with record passenger numbers and rising profits. Belozerov has now led RZD since 2015, overseeing steady growth in its operations and assets.

Belozerov's career in transport spans decades. Before joining RZD, he headed the Federal Road Agency (Rosavtodor) from 2004 to 2009. He later served as Deputy Transport Minister until 2015, when he took charge of the national rail operator.

Under his leadership, RZD reported a 9.5% revenue increase in 2025, reaching 3.1 trillion rubles ($33.5 billion). Net profit also climbed to 14.1 billion rubles ($152 million), while total assets grew by 6.4%, exceeding 11 trillion rubles ($119 billion). The company's passenger traffic hit 1.3 billion riders—the highest since 2006. Freight operations also thrived, with the Eastern Operating Domain setting a new record of 2.48 trillion ton-kilometres. Despite the growth, RZD plans to reduce its administrative workforce by 15%, affecting around 6,000 employees. The move aims to streamline operations while maintaining service levels.

Belozerov's reappointment follows a period of expansion for RZD, marked by higher revenues, profits, and passenger numbers. With his term now extended to 2030, the company is expected to continue its focus on efficiency and performance. The restructuring of administrative roles will likely play a key part in this strategy.