In 2024, TAS Agro agricultural holding achieved financial results of more than $22 million in Net Profit, the company’s CEO Oleg Zapletnyuk said on his Facebook page.
According to him, in 2024, the agricultural holding radically changed its production technology by diversifying its crops by moisture zones and introducing the Strip-Till system with a complete rejection of plowing. In addition, the agricultural holding standardized key processes.
The CEO of TAS Agro recalled that in 2024, $15 million was invested in the renewal of the technical fleet, which made it possible to completely abandon the use of hired equipment (except for combines). This decision made it possible to optimize the number of employees from 1878 to 1540, while the average income increased by 44%.
The agroholding has formed development strategies for the company and its departments for 3 years, implemented a production management system, launched an R&D service, created a service department, started systematically developing livestock and elevator business, and stabilized the land bank.
Mr. Zapletnyuk thanked the team members and partners of the agricultural holding and promised that 2025 would continue to be a year of active changes.
TAS Agro was established in 2014. Its land bank includes 88 thousand hectares in Chernihiv, Sumy, Kyiv, Vinnytsia, Kirovohrad and Mykolaiv regions. The holding specializes in crop production, with elevators with a capacity of about 250 thousand tons. The livestock business is represented by a cattle herd of 5.5 thousand heads, of which 2.5 thousand heads are dairy cattle.
According to the Opendatabot resource, the company’s revenue in 2023 amounted to UAH 2.588 billion, net profit – UAH 155.842 million, debt – UAH 1.2 billion, assets were estimated at UAH 1.8653 billion, and the number of employees – 129. The authorized capital is UAH 8 thousand.
The agricultural holding is part of the TAS group, founded in 1998. Its business interests include the financial sector (banking and insurance segments) and pharmacy, as well as industry, real estate, and venture capital projects.
The founder of TAS and the beneficiary of the TAS Agro agricultural holding is Sergiy Tigipko.
Ukraine exported $41 billion worth of goods in 2024, up 13.4%, or $4.94 billion, compared to last year, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Yulia Svyrydenko said.
“Of course, the result is primarily due to the normalization of the work of Ukraine’s seaports. We have exported 87.2 million tons by sea, and 54.8 million tons in 2023. In total, exports have already reached 129.2 million tons by weight, compared to 100.3 million tons in 2023. An increase of 28.8%,” she wrote on her Facebook page on Monday.
According to her, the transportation of goods has changed not only quantitatively but also qualitatively: Ukraine exported significantly less by road than last year – 7.6 million tons against 12 million tons last year.
She noted that the value of goods transported by road amounted to more than $14.5 billion, compared to $13.9 billion last year.
“This year was also memorable for the fact that we worked hard with our neighbors to remove unjustified blockades at the border. Thanks to a dialogue involving Polish and Ukrainian associations, we managed to ease the tension and return to a more familiar format of dialogue on trade development with neighboring countries and the EU as a whole,” the minister emphasized.
According to Svyrydenko, the development of trade with the EU is extremely important. First of all, despite all the difficulties on the land border with the EU, this year’s exports to the EU are already $1.2 billion more than in 2023 ($24.5 billion versus $23.3 billion in 2023), which is 59% of Ukrainian exports.
In addition, 49.8% of all imports to Ukraine are goods from the EU, and 73% of imports are brought to Ukraine by road, i.e. across the border with the EU.
The Ukraine Facility has already adopted a Border Infrastructure Development Strategy and a Transport Strategy.
“Thus, more than half of our trade is regulated by the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement. Therefore, it is important for us to realize all the possibilities of the Agreement and to make it meet the realities of our time,” Svyrydenko explained.
She clarified that in November this year, Ukraine sent an official request to the EU to apply the internal market regime for roaming services under the Association Agreement.
“This means full legal integration into the EU’s internal market even before the opening of accession negotiations under the relevant section. By the way, only Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein have achieved such a regime outside the EU, and Switzerland still cannot boast of progress in this regard. By the way, we have also updated the free trade agreement with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), and next year our agricultural exporters will have better access to the markets of all four countries,” the First Deputy Prime Minister stated.
Svyrydenko explained that due to this, in the first months of next year, the Ministry of Economy will try to find a solution to access the EU market for sensitive agricultural products, of which there are seven: corn, cereals, bran, honey, sugar, eggs and poultry.
Outside of the EU, Ukraine’s key trading partners are China ($2.3 billion), Turkey ($2.1 billion), Egypt ($1.6 billion), India ($986 million), Moldova ($935 million), and the United States ($935 million).
Traditionally, corn ($4.9 billion), wheat ($3.68 billion), iron ore ($2.75 billion), and soybeans ($1.29 billion) are the top exports.
According to Svyrydenko, the largest export commodity was a processed product – sunflower oil – worth $5.073 billion.
The First Vice Prime Minister added that Ukraine also exported soybean oil for $311 million, rapeseed oil for $238 million, sunflower meal for $1.006 billion, and soybean meal for $311 million this year.
“In agricultural processing, we are also pleased with the performance of sugar producers – 724 thousand tons of exports worth $408 million and poultry producers – 440 thousand tons worth $945 million. This is despite the fact that the EU has imposed rather strict restrictions on the export of these products compared to last year. We are now global exporters of these products, and this is good news,” she stated.
Svyrydenko also summarized that metallurgical exports are reviving, as Ukraine exported $927.5 million worth of semi-finished iron products, $802 million worth of hot-rolled steel, $500 million worth of pig iron, and $577 million worth of pipes.
A criminal investigation is not like a scene from a detective series. This is a real situation that can happen to anyone. That is why it is extremely important to have a competent criminal lawyer by your side to help you navigate the legal nuances and ensure the protection of your rights and freedoms. In this article, we will look at how to choose the right criminal defense lawyer in Kyiv and what you should know for successful cooperation.
Roman Bratsylo, lawyer
How to choose a lawyer?
When you find yourself in a difficult situation, you start looking for a defense lawyer you can trust. Choosing a lawyer is an extremely important step that largely determines the future outcome of the case. A professional criminal lawyer in Kyiv is, first and foremost, a specialist who can effectively protect your interests.
Here are some tips to help you make the right choice:
Useful information about lawyers can be found on specialized websites, for example, the website of a lawyer in Kyiv, Roman Bratsylo, https://advokats.in.ua/.
How to assess the professional qualities of a lawyer?
To determine the level of a lawyer’s competence, pay attention to the following criteria: his or her specialization, experience with similar cases, number of cases won, client feedback, and participation in professional organizations. This will help you form an objective opinion about the lawyer’s qualifications.
Preparing for a meeting with a lawyer
Before meeting with a lawyer, it is important to collect all the necessary documents. This will help you make the most of your consultation time. Do not forget to bring with you
Even if you don’t have all the necessary documents, don’t put off visiting a lawyer – he or she will tell you what else you need to collect.
How to cooperate with a lawyer?
To make cooperation with a lawyer productive, be as open as possible and provide all the information relevant to the case. The more details the lawyer knows, the more accurately he or she will be able to assess the situation and develop a defense strategy. Do not hesitate to ask questions; a lawyer should always explain the specifics of your situation in clear language.
Creating a defense strategy
A defense strategy is a comprehensive plan of action developed together with a lawyer to ensure the most favorable outcome of the trial. It includes:
An effective strategy is based on close cooperation between the client and the lawyer.
Psychological support
Legal assistance is not only about collecting evidence and developing a strategy, but also about psychological support. A lawyer can help reduce anxiety, explain complex legal issues, and prepare for a court hearing. This is important because self-confidence helps you stay calm during the entire process.
Do not delay contacting a specialist – take care of protecting your rights today.
The first 500 tons of wheat flour under the Grain from Ukraine program are to be delivered to Syria tomorrow, followed by new deliveries and deepening cooperation in many areas, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
“On my instructions, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andriy Sybiga and Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Vitaliy Koval paid a visit to Damascus. The Ukrainian delegation held important talks with the Syrian administration, leader Ahmed al-Sharaa and ministers,” Zelensky wrote on social media platform X on Monday.
According to him, the Ukrainian side supports the Syrian people in their efforts to overcome decades of dictatorial rule and restore stability, security and normal life in Syria.
“As we promised, the first 500 tons of Ukrainian wheat flour should arrive tomorrow. And then there will be new deliveries, as well as deepening of mutually beneficial cooperation in many areas,” Zelenskyy emphasized.
He added that Ukraine appreciates the chance to restore normal and stable life in Syria and is ready to develop long-term, strategic relations.
“I expect Ministers Sibiga and Koval to report on the results of their visit upon their return to Ukraine,” the President emphasized.
Kyivstar, the largest mobile operator in Ukraine, has signed an agreement with Starlink, a SpaceX company, to introduce Direct to Cell technology in Ukraine, which provides smartphone connectivity in areas where traditional mobile network coverage is not available – via satellite.
“We have signed an agreement with Starlink and are starting to implement the revolutionary Direct to Cell satellite communication in Ukraine… the service is able to provide mobile communication on any 4G smartphone using a satellite signal where there is no traditional coverage from operators, or if the ground network is down due to military and man-made factors,” CEO Alexander Komarov wrote in a Facebook post on Monday.
“Kyivstar plans to launch Starlink Direct to Cell services with SMS and OTT messaging in the fourth quarter of 2025. The next stage will be voice and data communications, the company said.
This is a major investment by Kyivstar in the development of digital infrastructure, improving coverage, providing uninterrupted communication to all Ukrainians and strengthening national security, Komarov emphasized.
Kaan Terzioglu, CEO of Kyivstar’s parent company VEON Group, noted that Kyivstar has done a great job investing in 4G in Ukraine, expanding coverage to remote areas and improving the energy resilience of its network.
“We are pleased to start cooperation with Starlink to make Ukraine one of the world leaders in the implementation of Direct to Cell satellite communications,” Terzioglu was quoted as saying by Kyivstar’s press service.
VEON Chairman of the Board Augie C. Fabella II said that the partnership with SpaceX will allow the company to use space technology.
“This agreement (on the introduction of Direct to Cell technology) marks a transformational year for VEON: from moving its headquarters to Dubai and focusing all operations on the Nasdaq in New York, to strengthening its commitment to innovation and growth in the regions that need it most,” the press service quoted the VEON chairman as saying.
Kyivstar’s press service clarified that Ukraine will be one of the first countries to get access to Starlink’s innovative Direct to Cell service, which will significantly increase the resilience of the national communications infrastructure.
Kyivstar reminded that since 2013, VEON, the parent company of Kyivstar, has already invested more than $10 billion in Ukraine and has committed to invest another $1 billion in the restoration of digital infrastructure in the period from 2023 to 2027.
Earlier it was reported that Kyivstar has launched VoWiFi (Voice over Wi-Fi) service for its subscribers, which allows them to make calls via Wi-Fi even in places with a weak mobile network signal.
“Kyivstar is Ukraine’s largest electronic communications operator with about 23.3 million mobile subscribers and more than 1.1 million Home Internet subscribers. The company is 100% owned by the VEON group of companies, a Dubai-based digital communications operator that provides converged connectivity and digital services to nearly 160 million customers. VEON’s shares are listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange.
Starlink’s direct-to-cell satellites are equipped with advanced eNodeB modems, which enable them to act as cell towers in space.
In 2025, the development company Perfect Group plans to relaunch two residential complex projects in Kyiv with a total area of up to 250 thousand square meters, of which 20 thousand square meters are planned for implementation under the terms of the eOselya program.
“Next year we plan to restart two large projects with a total area of up to 250 thousand square meters. One of them will include a separate stage of 20 thousand square meters, which will be implemented under the eHouse program,” Oleksiy Koval, Perfect Group project manager, toldInterfax-Ukraine.
According to him, the company’s share of sales under the eOselya program over the past two years has been about 15-20%. Theconstruction of a separate line for the program will increase this figure.
Other plans of the company include the launch of a new project in the comfort class segment with a total area of 100 thousand square meters. In addition, a project with an area of 420 thousand square meters is under development, the decision on the implementation of which will be made based on the indicators of real estate demand and the economic situation in the country, Koval said.
At the end of 2024, Perfect Group completed the construction of 50 thousand square meters in the residential complexes Likohrad and 7th Quarter.
Perfect Group has been operating in the Ukrainian market since 1991. The company’s portfolio includes 96 buildings with 17.5 thousand apartments with a total area of 1.2 million square meters in Kyiv and the region, as well as in Odesa.
