In 2022, Russian Railways was forced to respond promptly to the changes. During the year, loading in the direction of unfriendly countries fell by 37%, in the direction of friendly countries — increased by 23%, including by 28% — to China. This increased the demand for the Eastern Polygon.

Transit transportation of containers via the Russian Railways network will grow to 4 million TEU in 2027. That’s almost four times what it was in 2021, and some experts consider such a plan «virtually unrealizable.»