INTEGRATION OF THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT MODEL IN RAIL FREIGHT TRANSPORTATION IN RUSSIA: BACKGROUND AND CURRENT FACTORS

The relevance of the study lies in the scientific and practical significance of analyzing the influence of different groups of factors and identifying sustainable development trends in Russia affecting freight railway companies. The modern period is characterized by an increase in the number and exacerbation of global social, economic, environmental, technological problems at the international, national, regional and micro levels. This circumstance does not simply stimulate, but also requires decisiveness from the state, public structures and businesses to take actions aimed at the rational use of resources, reducing risks and threats, mitigating imbalances in socio-economic development. In the context of the ongoing transformations, taking into account the prevailing practices of sustainable development in the world, it is necessary to consider the sphere of freight rail transportation in Russia, which is dominant in terms of freight turnover. It ensures the development of industries and regions, forms a high potential for sustainability for all economic agents, smoothing out the essential contradictions of today's economic agenda. Despite all the current acute problems, the search for sustainable development models for rail freight remains in the focus of attention of both researchers and practitioners. The article discusses the key aspects of sustainable development, as well as the advantages and barriers to implementation of sustainable practices in relation to the Russian market of rail freight transportation. The aim of this study is to identify key political, economic, social, technological, environmental and legislative factors that have positive or negative impact on implementation of sustainable development models by freight railway companies in Russia. The research methodology is based on the analysis of national and industry trends that determine the willingness of the country as a whole and the rail freight segment in particular to implement sustainable practices. The results of the study show that, on the one hand, anti-sustainable tendencies dominate the sustainable ones, complicate the implementation of sustainable development models and are strong demotivators for businesses and households. On the other hand, international competition due to globalization of supply chains, energy efficiency potential, the need to replace obsolete infrastructure and equipment, digitalization and automation are significant incentives for the transition to sustainable development models.