Zelensky orders restored bonuses for energy repair crews this winter
The president told the government to restart monthly bonuses for workers restoring power infrastructure after Russian strikes and to rotate teams in the hardest areas.
Sections
Economy
Air raid alerts ate a third of mall hours: record 32.5% in October and almost 10 days lost
In October 2026 air raid alerts lasted 32.5% of shopping centres' opening hours, a record and nearly triple the 12.2% a year earlier, the Ukrainian Council of Shopping Centres said. Downtime: 9.8 working days.
Military levy: UAH 68.9bn in four months, all of it earmarked for soldiers' pay
From July to October 2026 the special fund of Ukraine's budget received UAH 68.9bn in military levy, the Finance Ministry said. Since 1 July this money goes only to pay for Armed Forces personnel.
Small-scale privatisation in October: UAH 525m for the budget, auction prices up 2.4 times
Ukraine's State Property Fund held 40 successful privatisation auctions in October; winners are to pay UAH 525.27m. The top lot was a powder metallurgy plant in Brovary sold for UAH 275m.
Istanbul: Zelensky and Erdogan agree to work on a Black Sea grain corridor
Outcome of the Türkiye visit: joint work on a Black Sea grain corridor, Erdogan's call to stop attacks on civilian ships, and the idea of hosting trilateral talks in Türkiye.
Canada joins EU loan for Ukraine with an initial €500 million
At the EU–Canada summit in Montreal, Mark Carney announced an initial €500m for the EU's Ukraine Support Loan. Leaders pledged more pressure on Russia and support for Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic path.
Breathing room for business: eAkcyz moved to July 2027, more time for shelters, easier grant terms
Ukraine's government moved the full launch of the eAkcyz excise system to 1 July 2027, kept paper stamps, extended shelter deadlines for businesses and eased terms of processing and recovery grants.
NBU raises key rate to 16.5% and cuts forecast: 12.5% inflation, GDP to shrink
Ukraine's central bank raised its key policy rate from 16% to 16.5% effective 30 October. It now expects 12.5% inflation in 2026 and a 0.4% fall in GDP as Russian strikes hit industry and logistics.
UK unveils £10bn package for Ukraine: £7bn economic aid, £500m for air defence and £3bn in export finance
On Budget day London presented its largest support package of the year. The money goes to World Bank guarantees, air defence this winter and financing weapons deliveries through UKEF.
Bloomberg: Russia's weekly seaborne oil exports hit a wartime record of $2.76bn
In the week to 25 October, 37 tankers shipped 26.93m barrels of Russian crude worth about $2.76bn — the most since the full-scale war began. But the four-week trend looks worse for Moscow.
Budget 2027 clears first stage, banks to keep 50% tax: what the Rada decided
Ukraine's parliament adopted the conclusions on the 2027 budget as a basis (a record 5,236 amendments) and backed a 50% bank profit tax for another year at first reading — ₴38bn for the budget, but critics object.
Ukraine's economy ministry cuts 2026 GDP forecast again: down 1–1.5 points from June's 1.6%
Minister Oleksandr Kravchenko said the 2026 growth forecast will be cut by another 1–1.5 percentage points, citing the port blockade, intensified Russian strikes and postponed budget spending.
Power on 20 October: limits nationwide, 2,147 strikes on energy since July and $7.7bn in business losses
Ukrenergo: on Tuesday limits for business in all regions and hourly outages of 1–2 queues in some. PM Koretskyi: not a single day without attacks on energy since 16 July.
Power on 19 October: outage schedules in several regions; 19,000 customers cut off in Ternopil region
Ukrenergo: on Monday several regions have hourly outages of 1–2 queues and limits for business. In Ternopil region drone strikes left 89 settlements without power.
Ukrainian intelligence: Russia's 9-month budget deficit is 37% above the annual plan
According to Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service, Russia's federal deficit for January–September reached 5.186 trillion roubles ($61bn). Spending is outpacing revenue, and oil and gas income fell 17.2%.
Cabinet sets up a commission to sell state-owned Sense Bank and Ukrgasbank
PM Serhiy Koretskyi: the commission will set tender rules, admit bidders and agree the starting price; IFIs and EU institutions may take part. The finance ministry has picked advisers.
Europe rejects idea of placing frozen Russian assets under US control
At the 15 October EU summit leaders including Merz, Orpo, Stocker and Kallas said some €200bn in immobilised Russian assets must stay in Europe and be explored for Ukraine support — not handed to Washington.
Rada passes VAT on international parcels under €150
On 15 October parliament finally scrapped the tax relief: goods from foreign marketplaces will face 20% VAT, with platforms collecting it at checkout. The law still needs the president's signature.
Ukraine's intelligence exposes 20 Russian shadow-fleet vessels, including gas carriers bought via shell firms
Military intelligence (HUR) published data on tankers and gas carriers moving Russian oil and LNG, including to China's Beihai port. All are already sanctioned by the UK or Ukraine.
Russia's Black Sea grain exports have collapsed and Moscow is looking for detours – Ukrainian intelligence
According to Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service, Russia shipped 347,000 t of wheat in mid-September versus 1.3m t a year earlier. The Baltic, Murmansk and China cannot fully replace its southern ports.
The dollar tops 45 hryvnias for the first time: the NBU's official rate and the budget after nine months
For 6 October the NBU set the rate at UAH 45.06 per dollar – above 45 for the first time ever. The euro eased slightly. The Finance Ministry reports 58.3% of planned borrowing raised in nine months.
Transformers, turbines and gas storage: Ukraine and Germany sign €155m+ energy deals
Siemens Energy, 50Hertz and Amprion will help rebuild Ukraine's grid; Berlin gives €250m to the Energy Support Fund. What was signed at the business forum in Kyiv.
Government transfers 12 state coal enterprises to the State Property Fund
Shmyhal: the list includes Lvivvuhillia, Volynvuhillia, Ukrvuhillia and mines in occupied areas; goal is a private investor while keeping social guarantees.
Russia strikes Liberian-flagged ship in Odesa region port, killing a sailor
A Russian attack on a civilian cargo ship flying the Liberian flag in a port in Ukraine’s Odesa region on October 3 killed a motorman and injured three other crew members.
US–Ukraine fund approves first critical minerals deal and new energy investments
The U.S.–Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund (URIF) approved its largest package yet: a mining platform with BGV Group, DTEK battery storage and community energy hubs.
A McDonald’s warehouse, a foreign-invested factory, a drug plant: Russia’s strikes hit business
In two days, attacks hit a McDonald’s partner’s warehouse, a foreign-invested plant in Zhytomyr region, a pharmaceutical plant, a hypermarket and a sushi chain’s warehouse. Kyiv wants more pressure on Moscow.
ArcelorMittal says it cannot restart its Kryvyi Rih steel plant after missile strikes
The steelmaker told Ukraine’s government it cannot safely resume operations at ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih after four missile strikes in five weeks.
A $27bn hole: Zelensky warns Ukraine could run short of drones this winter
Most of Ukraine’s defence funding gap is money for drones and missiles. Unless they are ordered and paid for in October–November, January and February will be hard, the president says.
EU approves nearly €3 billion for Ukraine in eighth Ukraine Facility tranche
The EU Council approved the eighth regular Ukraine Facility payment. For the first time, almost €800 million comes from the Ukraine Support Loan.
News without the noise — on Telegram
Daily essentials, explainers and short videos from our host.