The new Czech government is working on changes to the rules on temporary protection and social support for Ukrainian citizens: assistance will focus on those who are objectively unable to support themselves (the elderly, people with disabilities, parents with young children), while payments for those who are able to work but are unemployed may be reduced or cancelled, according to Czech media reports. The Ukrainian publication ZN.ua, citing Novinky.cz, reports that the government is also preparing to adjust the conditions for temporary protection status. The specific parameters of the reform have not yet been made public.
According to Novinky.cz and previous EU decisions, temporary protection for Ukrainians in the Czech Republic will remain in effect until at least March 2027. In previous years, the government has already adjusted humanitarian payments (through Lex Ukrajina) and announced a transition to a more ‘activating’ model of support that encourages employment.
In June, the European Union agreed to extend the temporary protection mechanism until March 2027; Czech ministers had previously confirmed their commitment to longer-term protection with gradually increasing integration requirements (work, education, housing). Against the backdrop of these changes, the government is preparing further technical amendments to the national package of laws known as Lex Ukrajina.
After the publication of the government draft (expected in autumn-winter), the document must undergo interdepartmental approval and parliament. Details of the amounts and criteria for payments will be known from the text of the draft law and accompanying methodological materials from the Ministry of Labour.
Under temporary protection: there are currently approximately 395-400 thousand people in the Czech Republic (current estimates by the Czech media based on data from the Ministry of the Interior; in February 2025, the UNHCR recorded about 390 thousand).
The total number of Ukrainian citizens with various types of residence (officially registered foreigners) is approximately 560-581 thousand (data from the Czech Ministry of the Interior for Q1-Q2 2025). Informal/incomplete records may vary due to seasonal migration and repeated departures and arrivals; the total estimate in public sources is approximately 600 thousand.
Fitch Ratings has affirmed Sense Bank’s long-term ratings at ‘CCC’ (foreign currency) and ‘CCC+’ (local currency) and maintained its viability rating at ‘ccc’, highlighting the gradual improvement in asset quality but also the continuing risks associated with the operating environment.
Sense Bank’s sovereign exposure remains high relative to its assets, with sovereign bonds (13%), NBU deposit certificates (23%), and loans to state-owned companies accounting for the bulk of its assets. Net loans accounted for 35% of assets, of which 43% were in foreign currency. After two years of decline, gross loans grew by 7% in the first half of 2025.
The bank’s third-degree (impaired) loan ratio improved to 35% at the end of the first half of 2025 (from 37% in 2024), with loan loss provisions covering 89% of impaired loans. Stage 2 loans decreased to 9% from 23% in 2022.
Sense Bank remains almost entirely funded by deposits, with retail deposits accounting for 42% of total deposits, which are fully covered by a government guarantee during the war and for three months after its end. Foreign currency deposits accounted for 34% and are mainly backed by high-quality liquid assets. The loan-to-deposit ratio was moderate at 59%, but is expected to increase as lending recovers.
“Despite the constraints associated with the war, Sense Bank has managed to stabilize its performance and improve its asset quality. However, the bank’s vulnerability to the operating environment remains high,” Fitch noted.
Sense Bank, formerly Alfa-Bank Ukraine, changed its name in 2023 after restructuring its ownership and bringing it into compliance with EU and US sanctions. As of September 2025, it ranked ninth among Ukrainian banks in terms of assets, with UAH 154.1 billion (3.9% of the sector’s total). The bank specializes in lending to individuals and small and medium-sized businesses and is regulated by the National Bank of Ukraine.
Associations of mining and metallurgical, other industrial and extractive enterprises, manufacturers of building materials and cement have spoken out against increases in freight and electricity tariffs due to the risk of enterprises shutting down or a significant drop in production.
They made this statement at a press conference at the Interfax-Ukraine agency on Tuesday on the topic of “The tariff policy of state monopolies – JSC Ukrzaliznytsia and NEC Ukrenergo, their negative impact on industry and the economy of Ukraine.”
Alexander Kalenkov, president of the Ukrmetallurgprom association of enterprises, noted that the consumers of the services of so-called natural monopolies are mining and metallurgical companies, cement producers, building materials manufacturers, and the like.
“These are the main customers of companies such as Ukrzaliznytsia and Ukrenergo. Before the war, the mining and metallurgical complex, together with ferroalloy plants, consumed about 60% of all electricity supplied to industry and transported more than 40% of the traffic provided by Ukrzaliznytsia. Therefore, we are dependent on the activities of these companies, just as they are dependent on us,” Kalenkov stated, expressing hope that in the future these markets will become more competitive and monopolies will be broken up. But until then, the state must ensure that these monopolies do not abuse their position, he believes.
The head of Ukrmetallurgprom emphasized that Ukraine has the highest electricity tariffs in Europe. “In practice, this means that we are losing the competitive struggle to all entrepreneurs from the EU. I am not even talking about companies located in countries that still consume Russian energy resources—there, prices are several times lower than ours, both for gas and electricity. And that is why we are losing our traditional markets,” Kalenkov stressed.
As for railway tariffs, he said that they are currently cheaper in Poland and Slovenia than in Ukraine. “We already transport cargo by Ukrzaliznytsia at a cost that is 15-20% higher than in Europe, and there are plans to increase tariffs by another 37%. This is not only economically unreasonable and unjustified, it is a dead end,” Kalenkov said.
In his opinion, the tariff policy of Ukrzaliznytsia and Ukrenergo requires attention at the level of the Cabinet of Ministers and the Verkhovna Rada. Ideally, an independent body on transport tariffs, similar to the National Energy and Utilities Regulatory Commission, should be created. To subsidize passenger transportation, UAH 26 billion should be allocated in the budget for 2026 so as not to increase freight tariffs. Otherwise, due to the increase in tariffs, our enterprises will begin to reduce production or exit the market.
Executive Director of the Ukrainian Cement Manufacturers Association (Ukrcement) Lyudmila Kripka emphasized that two-thirds of the cement produced in Ukraine, as well as the raw materials for it, are delivered by rail. Therefore, the industry is very sensitive to unjustified increases in freight tariffs.
“We have already gone down this road, such actions have already had negative consequences in the past, and this time there will be no miracles either. This will lead to negative consequences. Manufacturers will be forced to pass on the increase in tariffs to their products, that is, to the end consumer. This will reduce consumption of products and, consequently, reduce their production and transportation,” Kripka stressed.
At the same time, she pointed out the need to develop state support instruments for energy-intensive export-oriented industries as a temporary anti-crisis measure. According to her, technical and economic criteria should be introduced specifically for enterprises in priority industries. At the same time, the funds saved from the reduction in tariffs for electricity transmission and dispatching could be directed towards investment in our own renewable energy sources.
“In this way, we would fulfill the decarbonization targets set for us by the European Union,” Kripka stated.
She cited data from the state-owned company Ukrpromvneshexpertiza, according to which a 30% increase in freight tariffs would lead to a reduction in GDP of almost UAH 100 billion, a loss of foreign exchange earnings of UAH 98 billion, annual budget losses of more than UAH 36 billion, and the elimination of at least 76,000 jobs.
Sergey Kudryavtsev, executive director of the Ukrainian Association of Ferroalloy Producers (UkrFA), noted that the majority of ferroalloy enterprises are located along the shore of the Kakhovka Reservoir, i.e., in an area close to the combat zone, where working conditions are extremely difficult. In particular, manganese plants have been idle for two years.
“We cannot transport raw materials to ferroalloy plants because the railway lines have been destroyed. And we cannot pay to transport the raw materials needed for ferroalloy production by detours. Ferroalloy plants are currently operating at 15-20% of their capacity. This situation will lead to the end of ferroalloy production in Ukraine. Imported alloys will be brought to us, and the workers will be left without jobs,” Kudryavtsev said.
According to him, this frontline zone is currently being held together thanks to the Nikopol Ferroalloy Plant (NFP), Nikopol pipe and metallurgical enterprises, but it could become “gray” if people leave.
“Today, we have problems with production, logistics, staff shortages, and electricity. This is a region that used to produce electricity, but today we get it from western Ukraine. The tariff is unaffordable for us. Therefore, we are in a situation where we may have to shut down, and it will not be possible to recover. Enterprises are currently operating at 15% capacity, maintaining a continuous process. Because if you stop a ferroalloy furnace, it will take six months to start it up again,” added the executive director of UkrFA.
Source: https://www.youtube.com/live/ATmga3Sdn3g
ELECTRICITY, FREIGHT TRANSPORTATION, KUDRYAVTSEV, TARIFF, КАЛЕНКОВ, КРИПКА
Fitch Ratings has upgraded Ukreximbank’s viability rating (VR) from ‘f’ to ‘CCC-’, citing improved capitalization, higher profitability, and sufficient liquidity. The bank’s long-term IDRs remain at ‘CCC’ (foreign currency) and ‘CCC+’ (local currency).
Fitch noted that the rating upgrade reflects the restoration of compliance with minimum capital requirements and expectations of stable adequate capitalization, supported by internal capital generation and a reduction in risks from unprovisioned impaired loans.
Ukreximbank’s operating profit to risk-weighted assets rose to 9.6% in the first half of 2025 (from 6.4% in 2024) thanks to cost control and partial reversal of impairment charges. Yields were a key factor in recapitalization, although they remain sensitive to future tax levels.
Sovereign exposure remains high at 59% of total assets, including Ukrainian government securities (24%), loans to state-owned enterprises (15%), NBU certificates of deposit (14%), and current accounts with the NBU (6%). Non-performing loans accounted for 30% of gross loans, and total provisions covered 58%, highlighting the dependence on collateral.
Deposits are Ukreximbank’s main source of funding (90%), while loans from international financial institutions account for 8% of total funding. Fitch expects the bank to continue servicing its external obligations as loan growth gradually outpaces deposit growth.
“The bank’s recapitalization through retained earnings has restored its viability. Continued prudence in risk management will be critical to sustaining this progress,” Fitch commented.
Ukreximbank (Export-Import Bank of Ukraine) was founded in 1992 as a wholly state-owned financial institution specializing in trade and export-import financing. As of September 2025, it ranked third in Ukraine in terms of total assets, with UAH 298 billion (7.6% of the sector’s total). The bank plays a strategic role in supporting Ukrainian exports and major state projects.
Poltava Regional Municipal Heating Utility Poltavateploenergo has announced a tender for voluntary motor insurance (comprehensive motor insurance) for 34 vehicles, according to the Prozorro electronic public procurement system.
The expected purchase price is UAH 1.7 million. The deadline for submitting tender documents is 11 November.
The annual Forbes-2025 billionaires list separately identifies 16 individuals whose fortunes are linked to the crypto market.
Based on the Forbes publication and industry reports, the top 10 crypto investors in 2025 include:
Changpeng Zhao (CZ, Binance);
Giancarlo Devasini (Tether/Bitfinex);
Brian Armstrong (Coinbase);
Jean-Louis van der Velde (Tether/Bitfinex);
Paolo Ardoino (Tether);
Stuart Hegnar (Tether);
Michael Saylor (MicroStrategy);
Jed McCaleb (Ripple/Stellar);
Chris Larsen (Ripple);
Justin Sun (TRON).
The list was compiled based on the crypto industry affiliation of Forbes-2025 participants; Forbes does not rank the exact positions within the top ten separately.
According to Forbes, in 2025, more than 3,000 billionaires were included in the global list, 16 of whom are from the crypto sphere; the appearance of a number of Tether executives and Justin Sun on the list is noted separately. In 2024, Forbes already noted a significant expansion of the group of “crypto billionaires,” in particular due to the top managers of Tether, Coinbase, and Ripple.
The top 10 above reflects the most prominent owners of capital directly created or accumulated in the crypto industry (exchanges, stablecoin issuers, public Bitcoin traders). Forbes’ final wealth estimates are updated throughout the year based on market prices.
Source: https://www.fixygen.ua/news/20251104/top-10-kriptomagnativ-svitu-reyting.html
