According to Interfax-Ukraine, the “Parkovy” data center facility in Kyiv sustained critical damage as a result of a series of strikes by the Russian Federation and has completely ceased operations, the data center’s press service reported on Thursday in a post published on Facebook.
“As a result of a series of strikes by the Russian Federation, as of October 1, 2026, the ‘Parkovy’ data center facility in Kyiv sustained critical damage and has completely ceased operations. It is impossible to restore services at this facility,” the statement reads.
The press office noted that data center employees were unharmed and that customer data has been migrated to backup sites in the EU. “The most important thing is that our employees are safe, and our customers’ data has been migrated to backup sites in the EU,” the data center stated.
As previously reported, the “Parkovy” convention and exhibition center building in central Kyiv sustained damage as a result of a Russian drone attack on Wednesday, September 23.
Earlier, DC|COSMONOVA also reported that the data center had ceased operations due to extensive damage.
An overwhelming majority (72%) of Ukrainians support peace talks with Russia, however, about half of citizens are open to territorial compromises to end the war, while an absolute majority considers any reduction or limitation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine’s strength unacceptable, according to the results of a public opinion poll conducted by the Future Research Foundation and presented during a press conference at the “Interfax-Ukraine” news agency on Thursday.
“The dynamics of public sentiment demonstrate a strong desire to find diplomatic avenues for a ceasefire. Specifically, 72.2% of respondents tend to support peace talks with Russia. Opposition to this stands at 20.8% of those surveyed,” said Svitlana Kushnir, project manager at the Foundation for Future Studies, during the presentation of the survey results.
Among the possible ways to end the war, 48.5% favor compromises and ceasefire negotiations, even if they involve territorial or political concessions; 24.6% support a temporary “freeze” of the front lines without officially acknowledging the loss of territory, while 18.6% of respondents favor continuing the war to restore the 1991 borders without compromise.
At the same time, 51.7% of citizens are open to territorial compromises to end the war (29.4% – “yes, if it leads to the end of the war,” 22.3% – “probably yes”), while 41.3% of respondents oppose territorial compromises. (20.4% – “no, under no circumstances,” 20.9% – “rather no”).
“This negotiation track is closely linked to security red lines, which society considers unacceptable to cross. In particular, 76.3% of respondents consider reducing or limiting the size of the Armed Forces of Ukraine at the request of the other side to be unacceptable even if it ensures security (for 55.2% of respondents, this is categorically unacceptable),” Kushnir reported.
According to her, 58.7% of respondents believe that the situation in Ukraine is moving in the wrong direction (30.9%—definitely, 27.8%—somewhat). At the same time, 32.5% of respondents assess the direction of development as correct (8.6%—definitely, 23.9%—somewhat), while 8.8% were unable to answer.
At the same time, a number of acute socioeconomic problems are dampening the willingness to compromise, particularly bribery and corruption within government structures (51%) and rising food prices (39.6%). In addition, there is a certain level of concern regarding the winter season: 56.1% of households are fully or partially prepared for possible prolonged power and heating outages, while 43.2% rate their preparedness as insufficient.
According to the survey results, 84.5% of respondents consider the current mobilization process to be unfair, with 59.6% deeming it absolutely unfair.
Ihor Zhdanov, a political expert, former Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine (2014–2019), and head of the “Information Defense” project at the Open Policy Foundation, notes that these survey results indicate that Ukraine and its politicians are ready for negotiations, but “they want negotiations with substantive content, not just negotiations about surrender.”
“It is clear that there can be no question of any kind of surrender in Ukrainian society. The point is to hold negotiations, find some kind of compromise, and this society is ready for a compromise. So why isn’t peace being achieved? Why aren’t substantive peace consultations and negotiations already taking place, and why hasn’t some kind of ceasefire been declared for this purpose? And the Russian dictator Putin isn’t ready to hold peace negotiations; he doesn’t want to. Because there, in Russia, the circumstances haven’t yet arisen that would force him or push him toward peace,” he noted during a press conference.
Commenting on the fact that 76% of Ukrainian citizens consider reducing the size of the Armed Forces of Ukraine unacceptable, the expert noted that this indicates that Ukrainian society relies solely on itself and its own Armed Forces. “We rely on ourselves and on our Armed Forces; we also need to develop our own defense-industrial complex so that the situation remains predictable and so that there are level playing fields for Ukrainian and foreign companies,” Zhdanov said.
He also pointed out that more than half of Ukrainians consider corruption in government to be a particularly pressing problem—even more serious than rising prices and low wages.
“Bribery and corruption in government are not just a matter of public opinion but also a problem related to receiving funds from the European Union. We were told in no uncertain terms: you must carry out judicial reform; there is the Kachka-Kosa plan related to anti-corruption efforts, such as adopting an anti-corruption strategy, competitive selection of prosecutors, and implementing judicial reform. Unfortunately, of the 10 points, none have been implemented. All of these bills will benefit the country. None of them are controversial, unlike bills in the socioeconomic sphere. They need to be adopted, but for some reason they aren’t being adopted, and this simply means that we aren’t receiving the corresponding funds from the EU,” Zhdanov noted.
The survey was conducted from September 19 to 22 using the Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) method with a random sample of mobile phone numbers among 1,203 respondents aged 18 and older in all government-controlled territories of Ukraine. The maximum theoretical margin of error does not exceed 2.9% with a 95% confidence level.
Armed Forces of Ukraine, mobilization, NEGOTIATIONS, POLL, UKRAINE
According to Serbian Economist, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury has extended the operating license of the Serbian oil company NIS until October 30, 2026, allowing the company to continue its current operations after the previous permit expires on September 30.
The license extension means that NIS will be able to continue its operations, including the purchase and refining of crude oil, the production of petroleum products, and their supply to the Serbian market.
NIS has been subject to U.S. sanctions due to the company’s ownership structure and the involvement of Russian capital. Gazprom and Gazprom Neft entities remain the key Russian shareholders, while the Serbian government holds a large minority stake.
For Serbia, the issue of NIS’s operations is of strategic importance. The company operates the country’s only oil refinery in Pančevo and the largest network of gas stations, and it also holds key positions in the supply of petroleum products to the domestic market.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has previously stated on multiple occasions that Belgrade is negotiating with the U.S. side in an effort to ensure the uninterrupted operation of NIS while simultaneously finding a long-term solution to the issue of Russian ownership.
The one-month extension of the operating license eliminates the immediate risk of the company ceasing operations in early October, but it does not definitively resolve the issue of sanctions. In effect, Belgrade and NIS shareholders have been granted additional time to find a model for changing the ownership structure that is acceptable to OFAC.
Separately, negotiations are ongoing regarding the possible sale of the Russian stake. Throughout 2026, potential participants in the future deal included Hungary’s MOL and the UAE’s ADNOC, but the final structure of a possible deal has not yet been agreed upon.
https://t.me/relocationrs/3776
In the first quarter following the EU’s introduction of quotas on metal product shipments, Ukrainian metal exporters used 100% of their quarterly guaranteed quota for duty-free shipments to the EU of cold-rolled flat products made of unalloyed and alloyed steel, hollow sections, and other seamless pipes, according to a statement on the website of the “Ukrmetallurgprom” association.
According to the statement, as of September 30, 2026, the quotas in the following categories under the global (final) quotas in which Ukraine participates have been exhausted: metal-coated sheets (MFN subgroup—“Most-Favored-Nation treatment”), metal-coated sheets (FTA subgroup—“countries with a free trade agreement with the EU”), unalloyed and other alloyed steel bars and light sections (MFN subgroup—“most-favored-nation treatment”), stainless steel bars, billets, and small-section products (MFN subgroup – “most-favored-nation treatment”) and stainless steel bars, billets, and small-section products (FTA subgroup – “countries with a free trade agreement with the EU”).
Among competing countries, the guaranteed quota as of September 30 has been exhausted for the following categories: rebar – Turkey; wire rod of non-alloy and alloy steel – Turkey; hollow sections – Turkey and Macedonia; seamless stainless steel pipes—India; cold-rolled bars and rods of unalloyed and alloyed steel—Switzerland; and unalloyed wire—Turkey.
As of September 29, 2026, the competitive quota has been exhausted for the following categories: hot-rolled flat products of unalloyed and alloyed steel, rebar, wire rod of unalloyed and alloyed steel, hollow sections, seamless stainless steel pipes, other seamless pipes, and non-alloy wire.
As previously reported, once the guaranteed and competitive quotas are exhausted, further shipments to the EU are subject to a 50% tariff. “Ukrmetallurgprom” criticized the EU’s decision to restrict shipments of Ukrainian steel products, which had been supplied to Europe duty-free for the first three years following Russia’s full-scale aggression. The association believes that Ukraine currently poses no threat to European producers, as the war initially caused the country’s steel production to plummet from 40 million metric tons to 7.5 million metric tons, and currently, nearly all steel plants are shut down due to shelling.
EU, EXPORTS, METALLURGY, QUOTA, UKRAINE
The Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine reports that the October phase of the “Veterans’ Sports” program will not take place, and the ministry is working to resume it in 2027.
“Ukraine continues to live under conditions of full-scale war and a difficult economic situation. National defense remains the top priority for government spending. Under these circumstances, the state budget’s capacity to fund other areas is limited. At the same time, demand for the ‘Veterans’ Sports’ program has turned out to be significantly higher than expected,” the ministry’s statement reads.
It is noted that in 2026, 600 million hryvnias were initially allocated for the program—based on an estimate of 100,000 recipients per quarter. Accordingly, approximately 300,000 applications were expected over three quarters; however, the program was utilized more than 800,000 times.
Due to this demand, additional funds were allocated to the program throughout the year, and in total, payments exceeding 1.2 billion hryvnias were made in 2026—more than double the initial projection.
“Thus, the program has already covered as many participants as this year’s budget allows. All allocated funds were used for payments, including those returned from previous periods. Since the available financial resources have been exhausted, additional funding is required to carry out the October phase. However, at this time, there is no possibility of allocating funds for this from the state budget. Therefore, unfortunately, a new application phase will not open in the “Diya” app in October, and payments of 1,500 hryvnias will not be made as part of this phase,” the ministry stated.
At the same time, the Ministry of Veterans Affairs states that it is working to transition the program from a pilot format to a permanent one by 2027.
As previously reported, on January 3, 2025, the Cabinet of Ministers approved a pilot project to introduce quarterly assistance in the amount of 1,500 UAH for sports activities for combatants and individuals with war-related disabilities. Combatants could apply for these funds quarterly through the “Diya” app.
FUNDING, Ministry of Veterans Affairs, SPORTS, UKRAINE, ветеран
On October 22–23, Kyiv will host the 24th Ukrainian CFO Forum—the premier professional event for CFOs, CEOs, business owners, investors, and heads of key business functions.
Interfax readers can take advantage of a special offer: 15% off registration using the promo code BraveInterfax
This year’s program focuses on the decisions Ukrainian companies must make today as they develop their financial models and strategies for 2027 amid the war and high uncertainty. The Forum’s two-day program will feature 16 hours of professional content: 10 sessions in the form of panel discussions, interviews, and practical case studies featuring over 50 speakers from market-leading companies.
Ukrainian businesses are entering the 2027 planning cycle without a single baseline scenario. Destruction and loss of assets, attacks on energy and logistics infrastructure, high cost of capital, labor shortages, regulatory changes, and the acceleration of digital transformation are shortening the planning horizon and constantly changing the conditions under which businesses must make decisions.
For CFOs, this means simultaneously ensuring liquidity and business continuity, revising financial models, managing capital and risks, and not postponing investment and transformation decisions on which the company’s future depends.
The program of the Ukrainian CFO Forum 2026 is dedicated to these very issues—from the 2027 financial model and capital management to decisions following asset losses, adaptive planning, digital transformation, and the interaction between the CFO, CEO, and owner.
The 24th Ukrainian CFO Forum will bring together over 700 participants—CFOs of leading companies in the Ukrainian market, CEOs, business owners, international business executives, and representatives of banks, investment funds, technology companies, and government institutions.
▪️ The 2027 Financial Model: What to Include in the Budget When There Is No Base Case Scenario. Scenarios, triggers for revising the financial model, the cost of money, access to capital, and foreign exchange regulations. The forum will open with a strategic dialogue between Serhiy Nikolaychuk, First Deputy Governor of the NBU, and Andriy Dligach, founder and chairman of Advanter Group.
▪️ Business After Asset Loss: Rebuild or Restructure the Model. Replacement CAPEX, relocation, asset decentralization, recovery financing, insurance, and compensation for war risks. Practical experience will be shared by Rozetka-EVO, Nova Poshta, VARUS, Biosphere Corporation, Starlight Media, and Philip Morris Ukraine.
▪️ Strategy in the Face of Uncertainty: Decisions a CEO Must Still Make for Years to Come. Investments, scaling, production, team, and logistics amid a constantly shifting planning horizon. Panelists: Odgers Ukraine, Imperial Brands Ukraine, YASNO, and BGV Group Management.
▪️ Adaptive Planning: How to Manage a Business When the Annual Budget Is No Longer a Reliable Guide. Scenario planning, rolling forecasts, CAPEX, OPEX, liquidity, and working capital. Practical approaches will be presented by KSE, Danone, British American Tobacco Ukraine, FOKSTROT, and Metinvest Group.
▪️ Digital transformation with measurable business results. ERP, AI in finance, SAF-T UA, and data quality through the lens of deadlines, budget, and financial impact. The program features case studies from Farmak / Business Evolution, MTI, “Avtomagistral-Pivden” / SMART business, British American Tobacco Ukraine / Innoware, ALVIVA GROUP / ABM Cloud, D.TRADING / IT-Enterprise, and EBS.
Specific practical sessions at the Forum will focus on capital and liquidity management, identifying “hidden EBITDA” without new CAPEX, human capital, financial monitoring, and the CFO’s interaction with the CEO and owner.
“For CFOs, 2027 begins right now. Businesses cannot wait for certainty to emerge: decisions must be made today on whether to restore an asset or restructure the business model, invest in CAPEX or preserve liquidity, where to raise capital, and what scenarios to factor into the budget. That is why this year we are structuring the forum’s program around concrete solutions and case studies from companies that are already navigating these dilemmas,” — Ihor Solovykh, CEO of FAService and organizer of the Ukrainian CFO Forum.
The Ukrainian CFO Forum 2026 program features CFOs and CEOs of market-leading companies, representatives of the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU), and leading experts from major Ukrainian and international companies. Participants will receive up to 16 ACCA CPD units for attending the Forum.
Event partners: Pivdenny Bank, Odgers Ukraine, PUMB, Innoware, Done, SMART business, EBS, Business Evolution, Payoneer, IT-Enterprise, Advance Finance Alliance, Vchasno, ABM Cloud, ACCA, Silpo Voyage Pro, Bayadera Group, CFO Club, CEO Club, Board.
Main media partner: Starlight Media.
Ukrainian CFO Forum 2026 | October 22–23 | Kyiv + online
A special offer is available for Interfax readers through October 9: 15% off registration with the promo code BraveInterfax
Details and registration: cfo.ua/cfoforum
The Ukrainian CFO Forum is organized by FAService.
https://cfo.ua/cfoforum/?utm_source=Interfax&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=cfoforum2026
Open4Business is the forum’s information partner.
