Reigning unified world boxing champion Alexander Usyk will vacate all his heavyweight titles. He announced this on his Instagram page.
Usyk stated that he is giving up all his championship belts—“to make them available to other boxers.” The Ukrainian boxer noted that the decision to relinquish his titles is a conscious one and opens up new opportunities for him.
“I want to vacate all the belts I hold today so that the guys waiting in line for them can fight. Friends, I’m giving up the belts, but I’m not leaving the sport, because I have one last dance,” he said in a video message.
The mining and metallurgical group Metinvest is seeking a new investor to finance a EUR3 billion ($3.4 billion) steel plant in Italy, as the Ukrainian group seeks to reduce its liabilities, according to Bloomberg.
According to the agency, the group is seeking an additional partner for the project at the site of a former steel mill in Piombino on the Tuscan coast. The company wants to strengthen its financing “in light of war-related risks, given Metinvest’s significant operational presence in Ukraine.”
However, as noted, some potential lenders have become more cautious due to heightened geopolitical risks, including the recent conflict in the Middle East.
“As for the debt capital structure, we have good visibility on it, and we are continuing our dialogue with financial institutions to finalize this matter as well,” a Metinvest representative told the agency.
It is worth noting that the Italian government has designated this initiative as a “national strategic project,” and Metinvest Adria—a joint venture (JV) established last year with the Danieli Group to build this state-of-the-art facility—refers to the project as “the revival of steel in Italy.” It is expected to produce 2.7 million metric tons of low-carbon steel per year and create 1,100 jobs in the region.
According to the initial plan, financing was to consist of debt, government grants, and contributions from the JV partners to the share capital. Metinvest agreed to contribute more than EUR500 million, or 75% of the total equity, but is now seeking to reduce this amount to less than EUR300 million.
Bloomberg adds that Metinvest reported receiving “significant support from all stakeholders,” particularly from the Italian government, which has already approved grants and loan guarantees and allocated funds for the construction of a new berth at the Port of Piombino.
“Metinvest’s financial position deteriorated after the company had to use its cash reserves in April to redeem $428 million in bonds. Some of the company’s assets in Ukraine were lost or damaged as a result of the Russian invasion. Operations were also negatively impacted by high energy costs and a labor shortage,” the report states.
In addition, the report notes that S&P Global Ratings upgraded Metinvest’s credit rating this month following the bond repayment, but maintained a “negative” outlook on the business, emphasizing the need to build up cash reserves. According to S&P, Metinvest’s free cash flow stood at $150 million as of early May.
Metinvest is exploring the possibility of raising long-term financing and recently held meetings with investors to discuss the pricing and structure of a potential bond issuance. Like most Ukrainian companies, Metinvest has not tapped the bond market since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022. Despite this, the group has managed to meet its financial obligations and reduce its debt burden, according to a Bloomberg report.
Metinvest is a vertically integrated group consisting of mining and metallurgical enterprises. Its facilities are located in Ukraine—in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipropetrovsk regions—as well as in the European Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The holding company’s main shareholders are the SCM Group (71.24%) and Smart Holding (23.76%). Metinvest Holding LLC is the management company of the Metinvest Group.
Foreign investors are ready to view Ukrainian real estate as an investment asset if the developer offers not just promises and presentations, but a finished product, a clear business model, transparent financial logic, and an exit strategy, said Oleksandr Ovcharenko, co-owner of Standard One, during his speech at Forbes Development 2026.
“A foreign investor should see not just attractive promises or pictures, but a finished product and a proven business model. The investor must understand all the risks involved, the payback period, the rate of return, and, most importantly, the exit strategy for this investment,” Ovcharenko noted.
According to him, foreign investors’ requirements for development projects have not fundamentally changed either before the full-scale war or during it. Transparency, a clear investment structure, a proven business model, and a track record of successful projects remain key for them.
Standard One notes that the company has already implemented this approach in its first project, S1 VDNG. Of the 660 apartments in the project, 235 were purchased by non-residents, including investors from Israel, the U.S., EU countries, and South Korea.
According to Ovcharenko, foreign buyers’ interest stems from the clarity of the build-to-rent model, which has long been in use in the EU, U.S., and UK markets. This format allows investors to assess how the asset operates, its projected returns, and potential exit strategies.
“We have offered the market a real product, a real model—the build-to-rent income property format—which has been operating in developed countries of the European Union, the U.S., and the UK for several decades. The Polish market for rental residential real estate has grown tenfold in recent years. Therefore, this model is proven,” he emphasized.
The company states that the yield on Standard One’s development projects ranges from 10% per annum in dollars, excluding capitalization. According to Ovcharenko’s assessment, this is significantly higher than the approximate 4.5% per annum that real estate markets in Israel or the U.S., for example, can offer.
“It is precisely this difference in returns that makes Ukrainian real estate attractive to foreign investors, who are accustomed to lower rates at home and are seeking more effective opportunities to invest their capital,” noted the co-owner of Standard One.
At the same time, foreign investors who have had negative experiences with the Ukrainian market in previous years are returning to investing cautiously. For them, the developer’s transparency, financial reporting, the project’s legal structure, and proven results are important.
Ovcharenko also noted that today’s investor has become more pragmatic: they seek to diversify risks, invest in liquid projects with smaller investment thresholds, and are increasingly considering collective investment vehicles.
The group cites S1 REIT as the answer to this demand—an investment company within S1 Group that allows investors to invest in income-generating real estate starting at 1,000 UAH and earn returns comparable to those of an individual apartment owner.
Standard One is a Ukrainian real estate development company that specializes in the “build-to-rent” model for income-generating residential properties. The company implements projects under the S1 brand and develops investment instruments to enable private investors to participate in the rental real estate segment.
PJSC “Ukrnafta,” a member of the “Naftogaz” Group, signed a grant agreement at URC 2026 in Gdańsk (Poland) with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for 44.6 million euros to build 62 MW of distributed generation, according to Serhiy Koretskyi, chairman of the board of NAK “Naftogaz of Ukraine.”
“These funds will help accelerate the implementation of distributed generation projects to support the power grid amid Russian attacks on the energy sector. The €44.6 million grant will supplement the previously secured €80 million loan from the EBRD and allow us to carry out the planned work more quickly,” Koretsky wrote on Facebook on Friday.
He specified that the total capacity of the new generation facilities is 62 MW.
“This, in turn, will strengthen the power grid amid a shortage of generating capacity caused by Russian attacks on energy infrastructure. “I thank the EBRD leadership for their support and trust,” the Naftogaz CEO explained.
He also reported that at URC 2026, Naftogaz and the EBRD signed a memorandum on expanding cooperation in the areas of energy security, infrastructure restoration, and modernization.
According to him, during a meeting between Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko and EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso, specific terms of cooperation were discussed in detail, including securing financial mechanisms for the purchase of imported gas for the upcoming heating season.
As previously reported, Naftogaz signed an agreement with the U.S. EXIM Bank during URC 2026 in Gdańsk, which provides for the possibility of securing up to $300 million to purchase American equipment for the purpose of restoring the oil and gas infrastructure destroyed by Russia.
As Koretsky explained, the next step is practical work with U.S. companies to implement a financial mechanism that will allow for direct lending to U.S. suppliers and contractors for the purchase of equipment by companies within the Naftogaz Group.
At URC 2026, the Naftogaz of Ukraine Group also reached an agreement with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) on cooperation to attract private investment to Ukraine.
In addition, agreements were signed with the Polish company ORLEN regarding the development of LNG supplies to Ukraine and the exchange of expertise in the areas of sustainable development, decarbonization, and ESG.
JSC “Ukrnafta”—Ukraine’s largest oil producer—operates the country’s largest national network of gas stations, UKRNAFTA. In 2024, the company came under the management of Glusco. In 2025, it finalized a deal with Shell Overseas Investments BV to acquire the Shell network in Ukraine. In total, it operates nearly 700 gas stations.
The company is implementing a comprehensive program to restore operations and modernize the format of the gas stations in its network. Since February 2023, it has been issuing its own fuel vouchers and “NAFTACard” cards, which are sold to legal entities and individuals through Ukrnafta-Postach LLC.
The largest shareholder of “Ukrnafta” is NJSC “Naftogaz of Ukraine,” with a 50% + 1 share stake.
In November 2022, the Council of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine adopted a decision to transfer to the state the portion of the company’s corporate rights that belonged to private owners; the company is now managed by the Ministry of Defense.
Summer is the best time for small trips, new impressions and discovering places that often remain outside tourists’ attention. In order to see a medieval castle, walk among lavender fields, admire views of the Dnipro from above or visit a canyon with rocks billions of years old, it is not at all necessary to travel far from the capital.
Journalists of the culture department of the Interfax-Ukraine news agency have prepared a selection of interesting locations in Kyiv region and near it that are perfect for a weekend trip. Our route includes historical landmarks, natural wonders, picturesque parks and places where you can take a break from the noise of the city, take beautiful photos and simply enjoy summer.
In addition, a detailed list of cultural events in Kyiv can be found on the Instagram page ty_kyiv.
ty_kyiv is the official information partner of the Open4business website.
Buky Canyon
Distance from Kyiv: about 180 km, approximately 2.5–3 hours by car.
If it seems to you that for impressive natural landscapes you need to go to the Carpathians or abroad, Buky Canyon will easily change this opinion. It is one of the most beautiful natural locations in Central Ukraine, which is often called the Ukrainian Grand Canyon.
The canyon is located on the Hirskyi Tikych River in Cherkasy region. Its main feature is huge granite cliffs up to 30 meters high, which, according to geologists’ estimates, are about 2 billion years old. That is why the local landscapes look so unusual for Ukraine.
Another highlight of the location is the picturesque Vyr waterfall. Once an old water mill operated here, and today it is one of the most popular photo zones of the canyon.
Here you can:
Buky is especially beautiful in June, July and August, when the cliffs contrast with the bright greenery of the banks. In sunny weather, the water takes on rich shades, and the views resemble shots from tourist brochures about Norway or Canada.
The ideal trip format is to leave Kyiv in the morning, spend several hours near the canyon, walk around the village of Buky and return home in the evening with a full gallery of photos and the feeling that you have been much farther away than three hours from the capital.
Radomysl Castle
Distance from Kyiv: about 90 km, approximately 1.5 hours by car.
If you want to feel like the hero of a historical novel for at least one day, go to Radomyshl. Here, among granite rocks and waterfalls, stands a real castle, which more resembles a medieval fortress somewhere in France or Germany than a tourist location in Zhytomyr region.
Once, the paper mill of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra operated on this site, where paper was produced for printing the first Ukrainian books. Today, there is a castle-museum here with the largest collection of home icons in Ukraine. In the halls you can see hundreds of ancient images, each of which has its own history.
But the main thing in Radomysl is the atmosphere. Narrow stone staircases, high towers, a bell tower with a panoramic view, bridges over the water, granite boulders and a park with waterfalls create the feeling that you have entered another era.
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It is especially beautiful in summer, when the territory is immersed in greenery, and the water around the castle reflects its towers, creating a truly fairy-tale landscape.
Mezhyhirya
Distance from Kyiv: about 25 km, 30–40 minutes by car.
If you want to escape from the noisy city but not spend half a day on the road, Mezhyhirya is one of the best options. Once this territory was the closed residence of fugitive President Viktor Yanukovych, and today it has turned into a huge park open to everyone.
The area of the complex exceeds 140 hectares, so it is quite difficult to walk around everything in one day. There are well-kept alleys, dozens of flowerbeds, lakes, fountains, the embankment of the Kyiv Sea and observation platforms with beautiful panoramas.
One of the most popular locations is the famous wooden house “Honka,” which became a symbol of the excessive luxury of the former authorities. The zoo, where ostriches, pheasants, peacocks and deer live, as well as the collection of retro cars, deserve no less attention.
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Mezhyhirya is especially impressive in summer, when the territory is literally immersed in flowers and greenery. Here it is easy to forget that the center of Kyiv is only a few dozen minutes away. That is why many visitors return here again and again: not for the history of political scandals, but for peace, nature and the opportunity to spend a day in the fresh air.
Korostyshiv Canyon
Distance from Kyiv: about 110 km, approximately 1.5 hours by car.
If you want to see a place that more resembles frames from a film or a postcard from a travel magazine than an ordinary location in Zhytomyr region, go to Korostyshiv Canyon.
Granite was once mined here. When the quarry stopped operating, it was gradually filled with water. This is how a lake with surprisingly clean water appeared, surrounded by high cliffs and a pine forest. It was the combination of turquoise water, granite shores and pine trees that made this place one of the most popular destinations for recreation near Kyiv.
In sunny weather, the water takes on an incredible emerald shade, which is why the canyon is often called the Ukrainian “Maldives.” That is why photographers, bloggers and everyone looking for beautiful recreation locations regularly come here.
Here you can:
A separate bonus is the atmosphere. Unlike many tourist places, there is no feeling of fuss here. The pine trees create natural coolness even on hot days, and the high cliffs add a special character to the landscape.
The best time for a trip is from June to September. Many people come here only for a few hours, but often stay almost for the whole day. After all, Korostyshiv Canyon is exactly the case when the road takes an hour and a half, while the impressions remain for a long time.
Kyivan Rus Park
Distance from Kyiv: about 45 km, approximately 50 minutes by car.
Do you want to travel back a thousand years for a few hours and see what Kyiv was like in the times of the princes? Then you should go to Kyivan Rus Park in the village of Kopachiv. It is not just an open-air museum, but a real journey through time.
Here, the citadel of ancient Kyiv of the 5th–13th centuries is recreated in full size. Massive wooden fortifications, princely chambers, watchtowers and ancient gates allow you to feel the atmosphere of the era when Kyiv was the capital of one of the largest states in Europe.
But the most interesting part begins when history comes alive. On different days, knight tournaments, theatrical performances, horse shows, festivals of medieval culture and reconstructions of historical battles take place here. Sometimes you can see real sword fights or hear how the ancient music of Kyivan Rus sounded.
Here you can:
The park is especially liked by families with children, because here history can not only be read in a textbook, but literally touched with your hands. And adults often admit that they are no less fascinated than children.
If Buky or Korostyshiv Canyon is about nature, then Kyivan Rus is an opportunity to feel like a prince, a warrior of the princely retinue or a guest of ancient Kyiv for one day. And all this less than an hour’s drive from the capital.
Kaniv Mountains
Distance from Kyiv: about 140 km, approximately 2–2.5 hours by car.
If you want to see the Dnipro the way artists, poets and travelers saw it hundreds of years ago, it is worth going to the Kaniv Mountains at least once. This place is completely unlike the usual image of flat Ukraine. Here high hills suddenly drop down to the water, and the views are so large-scale that they take your breath away.
Taras Hill, the burial place of Taras Shevchenko, is located right here. However, the Kaniv Mountains are not only about history. This is one of the most beautiful natural locations in central Ukraine, where you can see dozens of kilometers of Dnipro slopes, forests and water expanses.
In clear weather, the observation platforms offer panoramas for which photographers come here specially. The mountains become especially beautiful at sunrise or before sunset, when the Dnipro begins to literally glow with gold.
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There is another reason why it is worth coming here. The Kaniv Mountains are a place where you can literally feel the scale of Ukraine. There are no loud attractions, food courts or crowds of tourists here. There is only the wind, the smell of grasses, the boundless Dnipro and a feeling of calm that is so lacking in a big city.
This is one of those locations people go to not for photographs, but for emotions. And only then do they return home with hundreds of shots on their phone.
Oleksandriia Arboretum
Distance from Kyiv: about 85 km, approximately 1 hour by car.
If you want to feel like the hero of a costume film about European aristocracy for at least one day, go to the Oleksandriia Arboretum in Bila Tserkva. It is not just a park, but a real green pearl of Ukraine, which has existed for more than 230 years.
At the end of the 18th century, the park was created by Countess Oleksandra Branitska, one of the richest women of that time. Architects and gardeners from different European countries were invited to arrange it. Today, Oleksandriia is the largest arboretum in Ukraine and occupies more than 400 hectares.
There are no attractions or loud entertainment here. People come here for beauty, silence and atmosphere. Ancient colonnades, romantic bridges, waterfalls, ponds, islands and hundreds of plant species create the feeling that you are walking through the grounds of an old European estate.
The park’s architectural monuments create its special atmosphere: the Luna colonnade, the Chinese Bridge, the Ruins, the Rotunda and numerous sculptures. Each location has its own history and legends.
Here you can:
Oleksandriia looks most beautiful at the beginning of summer, when the park literally explodes with greenery and blooming. But even on a hot July day, it is easy to find coolness here under the crowns of old trees.
Many visitors compare the park with famous gardens of Europe. And the most pleasant thing is that for this you do not need to fly to France or Austria — an hour’s drive from Kyiv is enough.
This is a place for those who want not just to tick a box on a list of tourist locations, but to truly rest, slow down and enjoy beauty that has not gone out of fashion for more than two centuries.
The Flooded Church in Husyntsi
Distance from Kyiv: about 80 km, approximately 1–1.5 hours by car.
There are places that are difficult to explain with a photograph. They need to be seen with your own eyes. The flooded church in Husyntsi is exactly such a location.
In the middle of the huge Kaniv Reservoir stands a lonely old church, which seems to emerge directly from the water. From afar it looks like a set for a historical film or a frame from a mystical novel. In reality, however, it is a real landmark with a dramatic history.
Once there was the village of Husyntsi on this site. In the 1970s, during the creation of the Kaniv Reservoir, dozens of settlements ended up under water. People were resettled, houses were demolished, but the Church of the Holy Prophet Elijah miraculously remained. Today it stands on a small patch of land, surrounded by water on all sides.
It is this history that gives the place its special atmosphere. There are no noisy attractions or tourist entertainment here. There is only water, silence and a church that survived an entire flooded village.
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It is especially beautiful here in the evening. When the sun begins to sink below the horizon, the water around the church takes on golden shades, and the church itself is reflected in the reservoir. At this moment it is easy to understand why many travelers call Husyntsi one of the most romantic and at the same time most mystical locations near Kyiv.
If you are looking for a place not only for beautiful photos, but also for reflection, calm and recharging, the flooded church in Husyntsi definitely deserves a place on your summer route.
Dobropark
Distance from Kyiv: about 30–40 km, approximately 40 minutes by car.
If you have at least once seen endless lavender fields, flower arches or photos among thousands of flowers on social networks and thought that this was somewhere in France, it is quite possible that in fact it was Dobropark.
In just a few years it has turned into one of the most popular summer locations near Kyiv. It is a huge landscape park that changes depending on the season. In spring people come here for tulips, in summer — for lavender, hydrangeas and roses, in autumn — for bright natural colors.
The main feature of Dobropark is its scale. Millions of flowers have been planted here, and each zone is designed to look like a separate photo location. That is why the park has long become one of the favorite places for family walks, romantic dates and photo shoots.
Here you can:
Dobropark becomes especially beautiful during the lavender blooming period. At this time the air is filled with the scent of flowers, and the purple fields stretch so far that they resemble the landscapes of Provence.
Many people come here for beautiful pictures, but stay longer. After all, Dobropark is not only about photos. It is a place where you can take a break from the city rhythm, slowly walk along the alleys, lie on the grass, drink coffee among flowers and feel a real summer mood for at least a few hours.
If you are looking for a location where you can spend a weekend with the whole family, arrange a romantic walk or simply recharge among nature, Dobropark is definitely worth adding to your summer route.
The mining and metallurgical group Metinvest has signed a new seven-year loan agreement worth 20 million euros with the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB), strengthening its long-standing partnership with the international financial institution.
According to a press release, the agreement was signed by Oleksiy Sobolev, Ukraine’s Minister of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture, during the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC 2026) in Gdańsk, Poland.
As noted, the financing will help strengthen the group’s energy resilience in Ukraine, specifically by installing the first solar power plants with a total capacity of 37 MW, as well as supporting critical energy infrastructure. Additionally, this will help reduce Metinvest’s carbon footprint.
The new agreement continues Metinvest’s cooperation with the China-Belarus Trade and Investment Bank (CBTIB), which began with investment loans in 2020 and working capital financing in 2024.
Metinvest CEO Yuriy Ryzhenkov emphasized that the partnership with the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB) reaffirms confidence in Metinvest’s long-term strategy: “This financing will help us modernize our production facilities, invest in renewable energy, and strengthen Ukraine’s industrial potential.”
For his part, CBTR President Dr. Serhat Keksal noted that the long-standing partnership with Metinvest reflects CBTR’s commitment to supporting sustainable Ukrainian companies.
“This financing will help strengthen industrial production, enhance energy resilience, and support Ukraine’s economic recovery. We also highly value our partnership with the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), which reaffirms our shared commitment to supporting Ukraine’s recovery and sustainable development,” concluded the CEBT Chairman.
Metinvest is a vertically integrated group consisting of mining and metallurgical enterprises. Its facilities are located in Ukraine—in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipropetrovsk regions—as well as in the European Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The holding’s main shareholders are the SCM Group (71.24%) and Smart Holding (23.76%). Metinvest Holding LLC is the management company of the Metinvest Group.
