Heating bills to be recalculated: who will be affected by the billing scandal in Kyiv
In June, residents of the capital began receiving bills with additional charges for January 2026.
This was due to the entry into force of Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 683, which introduced a mechanism for adjusting heating charges in the event of damage to energy infrastructure caused by the war.
Kyivteploenergo explained that no legislative mechanism for such recalculations had previously existed.
Who is affected by the recalculation
According to the company, the automatic recalculation affected over a million flats in the capital.
In January 2026, over 1,200 instances of damage to heating networks were recorded due to severe frosts and Russian attacks. As a result, some consumers were temporarily left without adequate heating.
It is this period that has been the subject of the adjustment to the charges.
What the Ombudsman said
Dmytro Lubinets, the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights, has written to Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba demanding an investigation into the legality of the additional charges.
According to him, between January and March alone, the Ombudsman’s Office received over 600 complaints from citizens regarding a lack of heating or poor-quality heating.
Lubinec emphasised that people should only pay for services they have actually received.
The government’s response
Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko stated that the government would investigate the situation at specific addresses.
According to her, if the service was not provided, there should be no charges for the relevant period on the bills.
Kyivteploenergo’s position
The utility company claims that the recalculation carried out was largely beneficial to consumers.
According to the company, for 99% of customers, the amounts on their bills fell by an average of 40%, and the total value of the discount exceeded 720 million hryvnias.
Kyivteploenergo explained that, due to the complex situation with the heating networks and the consequences of the shelling, a special calculation formula, provided for in a government resolution, was applied.
Will the AMCU investigate the situation?
Economist Oleg Ustenko suggested that the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine might become involved in the investigation.
According to him, the scope of a potential investigation could include the validity of the charges, the tariff structure and the use of funds by the monopoly operator.
However, there is currently no official information regarding the launch of such an investigation.
What consumers should do
If you disagree with the charges, experts advise contacting the service provider to request a breakdown and an explanation of the amount on the bill.
Consumers may also lodge complaints with local authorities, the State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection, or the Ombudsman’s Office.
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