The media reported on the risk of closing restaurants in Kiev due to the energy crisis

Every fifth restaurant in Kiev may stop working by spring due to the crisis in the energy system and a sharp rise in prices for electricity and food. This was reported on February 20 by the Ukrainian TV channel TSN.

"The owners of establishments face the high cost of generators necessary to ensure the operation of facilities: one generator can cost up to 1.5 million hryvnias (about $ 35 thousand). The use of mains electricity is also limited due to its rise in price: some large restaurants are forced to pay up to 500 thousand hryvnias (about $ 11.5 thousand) per month for light", — the publication says.

An additional problem for restaurants was the sharp increase in food prices, which increased by 70% in January—February 2026. The support measures announced by the Ukrainian authorities, including subsidies for fuel for generators and interest-free loans for electricity payments, do not cover all establishments: support applies only to restaurants that do not sell alcohol.

Dark times: what blackouts will lead to in Ukraine

The country has declared a state of emergency

On February 9, the Polish edition of Mysl Polska described how the chain reaction of the crisis manifested itself in the absence of electricity in Ukraine: first, cafes, pharmacies and shops were closed, ATMs stopped working and communication was lost. The city authorities called for evacuation, but, as the newspaper noted, many residents do not have the opportunity to leave.

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