Story perspectives

Ukrainian Businesses Struggle Amid Freezing Temperatures and Power Costs

2/18/2026

Summary

Story summary

In Ukraine, Nataliia Bilostotska closed her beauty salon due to freezing temperatures and electricity costs that quadrupled to 58,000 hryvnia monthly ($1,340).
Many businesses face similar challenges and rely on costly generators as power outages persist, while the Kyiv School of Economics warns of potential GDP losses.
Oleh Karpov, a repair worker, endures extreme conditions to repair infrastructure.
Leonid Kulytskyi, a repair worker, endures exhaustion and lack of recognition.

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Story summary

In Ukraine, Nataliia Bilostotska closed her beauty salon due to freezing temperatures and electricity costs that quadrupled to 58,000 hryvnia monthly ($1,340).
Many businesses face similar challenges and rely on costly generators as power outages persist, while the Kyiv School of Economics warns of potential GDP losses.
Oleh Karpov, a repair worker, endures extreme conditions to repair infrastructure.
Leonid Kulytskyi, a repair worker, endures exhaustion and lack of recognition.