# Finance
Fraudsters have stolen 1.4 billion hryvnias from Ukrainians’ bank cards: the number of attacks has fallen, but the losses have risen
In 2025, the number of illegal activities and fraudulent transactions involving payment cards in Ukraine fell to 256,000, yet the total amount of losses rose by almost a quarter to reach 1.4 billion hryvnias. The National Bank attributes this trend to the fact that the average value of a single fraudulent transaction over the year has increased significantly.
In 2025, defence spending exceeded 40% of GDP and accounted for 70% of the state budget – Svyrydenko
Ukraine spent the lion's share of last year's budget on defence.
The assets of the ‘Kyiv Radio Plant’ were sold illegally for less than a twentieth of their market value
The Public Prosecutor’s Office has charged the liquidator of the company, whose actions resulted in the state losing nearly 60 million hryvnias.
The Red Cross has updated its payment system: who is eligible and how much can they receive in 2026
In April 2026, the Ukrainian Red Cross introduced a new model of cash assistance for vulnerable groups. The organisation replaced general-purpose assistance with targeted support for priority categories.
Фінмоніторинг PEP: НБУ офіційно звернувся до банків
Національний банк України рекомендував банкам не підходити формально до обслуговування політично значущих осіб, їхніх родичів і пов’язаних осіб - PEP. Регулятор наголосив, що банки не повинні автоматично відносити всіх таких клієнтів до категорії високого ризику і безпідставно обмежувати їм доступ до фінансових послуг.
Russia is concealing catastrophic economic losses caused by sanctions – intelligence reports
According to SAB, between 2022 and 2025 alone, Russia was forced to spend an additional $130 billion – around $32.5 billion annually – on circumventing sanctions and purchasing banned Western goods, which it had previously bought at significantly lower prices.
The NEURC has updated the requirements for gas bills: what will change
On 14 April 2026, the NEURC adopted Resolution No. 541, amending the Gas Distribution Systems Code and updating the requirements for natural gas distribution bills for domestic consumers.
France has released a tanker belonging to Russia’s shadow fleet
According to the Main Intelligence Directorate, the vessel Deyna was transporting Russian oil, which was being sold at a price above the ceiling set by the G7 countries.
Military salaries from 1 May 2026: which payments will continue
As of 1 May 2026, there will be no official changes to the basic rules governing the pay of military personnel in Ukraine. The main components of pay – basic salary, rank-based pay and the length-of-service allowance – will remain in force, as will additional payments for carrying out combat or special missions.
Demand for petrol-powered cars has risen in Ukraine
In March, over 13,000 units were added to the market, representing a 22% increase compared with 2025.
The EU prosecutor may bring charges against Orbán’s inner circle
Hungary’s Prime Minister-elect, Péter Magyar, has announced his intention to bring the country into the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. This could pave the way for investigations into the use of EU funds in previous years.
Ukrainian petrol stations have raised diesel prices: where is the best place to fill up your car?
The sharpest rise in prices has been recorded within the Ukrnafta network, although the cost of the resource there remains the lowest on the market.
