# Finance
Ukraine has attracted over $125 million from the World Bank for education and healthcare
The state budget of Ukraine has received more than $125 million in concessional financing from the World Bank under the LEARN and THRIVE projects. The funds will be used to support education, healthcare and reforms in these areas
UAH 26.5 billion in budget losses: reboot of the BES did not stop the growth of the shadow cigarette market
According to the project "Monitoring the Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products in Ukraine" conducted by Kantar Ukraine, the share of illegal tobacco products reached 17.8%, up from 15.4% in July this year
Elon Musk became the first person in the world with a net worth of more than $600 billion
Forbes estimates Elon Musk's fortune at almost $677 billion after SpaceX's sharp rise in value
386 thousand for the head of NABU detectives and 25 thousand for a police investigator: how law enforcement salaries differ
After the adoption of the budget for next year, the state increases funding for anti-corruption bodies, while salaries in the police and prosecutor's office remain significantly lower
EU agrees to indefinite freeze of Russian assets, paving the way for a "reparations loan" for Ukraine
The EU countries approved the decision to permanently immobilise Russia's sovereign assets, which removes the main obstacle to the creation of a €210 billion loan facility to support Ukraine
Russia Nearing EU Blacklist: Banks Will Be Required to Tighten Transaction Controls
The EU plans to add Russia to its own blacklist of high-risk jurisdictions posing a significant financial threat. The move is expected to tighten banks’ oversight of transactions and further isolate Moscow from European markets.
“Rosneft” Rapidly Losing Revenue: Experts Warn of a Looming Blow to Russia’s Entire Economy
Rosneft is showing a sharp decline in its financial performance: the company’s net profit has dropped by 70%, production and refining volumes have fallen, and part of its refinery infrastructure has gone offline. Ukrainian intelligence warns that these trends may signal the beginning of serious economic trouble for Russia.
Ukraine Approves 2026 State Budget: Record Deficit and Higher Social Standards
Parliament has approved the 2026 budget, which includes a deficit of nearly 2.4 trillion hryvnias, much of which still lacks confirmed sources of financing. The budget also provides for increases to the minimum wage and the subsistence minimum.
Hetmantsev: BEB losing momentum under new leadership, illicit schemes remain active
Shadow economic schemes remain widespread in Ukraine as the Bureau of Economic Security (BEB) struggles to deliver results, according to lawmaker Danilo Hetmantsev. Despite new leadership, he says the agency is failing to complete long-standing cases—allowing major tax-evasion networks to continue operating
A dispute is intensifying within the EU as member states resist Belgium’s demand for an “unlimited cheque” to unlock a loan for Ukraine.
European countries are raising concerns over Belgium’s stance, as Brussels demands extensive financial guarantees before agreeing to unlock a loan for Ukraine based on frozen Russian assets.
Ukraine temporarily halts wood exports: what the statistics over the past years show
Ukraine has halted the export of fuelwood until the end of the year amid a shortage of forest resources, increased military needs, and a difficult energy situation. Despite active exports in previous years, the authorities believe that the current priority is the country's internal needs.
How many years does it take to earn enough for an apartment in Kyiv: updated data
Despite rising prices per square meter, buying a home in Kyiv has become easier due to increased salaries. According to updated data, it takes an average of 7.7 years to save up for a one-room apartment.
