The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends that Hasidic pilgrims refrain from traveling to Uman to celebrate Rosh Hashanah.
“Russia’s full-scale aggression against Ukraine, which has been ongoing for more than four years, along with constant, massive rocket attacks on Ukrainian cities and communities, civilian and transportation infrastructure, and ongoing Russian terror, sabotage, and provocations, pose real threats to people’s lives and safety. Under these circumstances, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine urges Hasidic pilgrims planning to make a pilgrimage to Uman to celebrate Rosh Hashanah to take into account that it is impossible to guarantee full security for foreign citizens on Ukrainian territory,” reads a statement released by the ministry’s press service.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also noted that a legal regime of martial law is in effect in Ukraine. If pilgrims visit Uman despite the warnings from Ukrainian authorities, they should be aware of restrictions on freedom of movement, curfews, increased patrolling, and a ban on mass gatherings; violators may face enforcement measures.
In addition, other significant risks should be taken into account when planning a trip. Land transportation links with Ukraine remain overloaded, and significant delays are possible due to shelling. In Uman itself, there are not enough civil defense shelters to accommodate large numbers of pilgrims, and there is a shortage of medical personnel and facilities capable of providing qualified medical care.
For further clarification, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises contacting the National Police, the State Emergency Service, the Border Guard Service, and the Customs Service, as well as the Cherkasy Regional State Administration and the Uman City Council. Pilgrims who do decide to travel to the city are advised to familiarize themselves in advance with the rules for paying the tourist tax.
Every year on the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, tens of thousands of Hasidic pilgrims arrive in Uman, Cherkasy Oblast, to visit the grave of Rabbi Nachman, the founder of Bratslav Hasidism. Despite Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, the pilgrimage continues, although Ukrainian authorities regularly urge foreigners to consider the security risks. In 2025, more than 35,000 pilgrims arrived in Uman for the Rosh Hashanah celebrations.
Hasid, MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, pilgrimage, SECURITY, UMAN
The large-scale reconstruction of Ukraine could serve as the foundation for creating a modern basalt fiber and composite materials industry, which would integrate the extraction of domestic raw materials, the production of construction materials, and the manufacture of high-value-added products.
This was written by Volodymyr Khaustov, Scientific Secretary of the Institute of Economics and Forecasting of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and Honored Economist of Ukraine, in a column for the Interfax-Ukraine news agency published on July 29, 2026.
According to him, future reconstruction efforts will require significant quantities of cement, metal, glass, thermal insulation, and other construction materials. At the same time, this could create a market for more durable, lightweight, and corrosion-resistant composite products.
According to the fifth joint assessment by the Ukrainian government, the World Bank, the European Commission, and the UN, the country’s reconstruction and rehabilitation needs as of the end of 2025 amount to nearly $588 billion over the next ten years. The greatest needs are in transportation, energy, and housing.
Basalt can be used in roads, bridges, and municipal infrastructure
Basalt fiber is produced by melting prepared rock and then forming it into fibers. It is used to manufacture thermal and acoustic insulation, technical fabrics, reinforcing mesh, concrete fiber, composite reinforcement, profiles, and pipes.
These products can be used in the construction of roads and bridges, the rehabilitation of utility networks, industrial flooring, energy facilities, and buildings. Their advantages include resistance to corrosion, high temperatures, and aggressive chemical environments, as well as relatively low weight.
In a study published in 2026 by the European Commission’s Joint Research Center, basalt fibers are identified as among the advanced and innovative construction materials capable of increasing the durability of structures and supporting the construction industry’s transition to more sustainable technologies. At the same time, European researchers point to the need for testing, standardization, and full life-cycle assessment of new materials.
Ukraine has deposits and scientific expertise
The most well-known basalt raw material deposits in Ukraine are located in the Rivne region. Specifically, these are the Berestovtse and Ivano-Dolynske deposits. Rock types promising for fiber production have also been studied in the Zakarpattia and other regions.
Ukrainian scientific institutions were involved in developing technologies for the production of basalt fibers as early as the second half of the 20th century. In the 1980s, dozens of enterprises involved in the production of basalt materials were operating in the country; however, following the collapse of the Soviet industrial system, most of these facilities ceased operations or significantly scaled back their activities.
Khaustov believes that the first step should be an audit of the Ukrainian basalt industry. This audit should cover the condition of deposits, enterprises, equipment, technologies, patents, and scientific developments.
In addition, Ukraine needs modern standards and testing of basalt materials for strength, durability, fire resistance, and resistance to moisture and chemicals. It would be advisable to harmonize national requirements with European standards.
The next step could be the launch of demonstration projects during the restoration of roads, bridges, utility networks, industrial facilities, and damaged public buildings. Support for the industry could include research grants, preferential financing for equipment, investment insurance, and the involvement of European technology partners.
However, the availability of raw materials alone does not guarantee the competitiveness of production. The industry’s development requires a stable energy supply, modern smelting furnaces, high-quality equipment, product certification, trained specialists, and a guaranteed market for the finished products.
The economic efficiency of each product type must be compared with steel, fiberglass, and other traditional materials, taking into account production costs, energy consumption, logistics, maintenance, and the entire service life.
Ukrainian legal entities are required to submit information on their vehicles to the TCC and the SP twice a year, even if the company does not have any vehicles or other equipment on its balance sheet.
As explained by the Zhytomyr Regional TCC and SP in response to a request from OpenDataBot, if a company has no vehicles, it must submit a so-called “zero” report.
Information on the availability and technical condition of vehicles and equipment must be submitted annually no later than June 20 and December 20. This requirement is stipulated in the Regulations on Military Transport Obligations, approved by Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 1921.
Failure to submit the information or missing the deadlines may result in a fine of between 34,000 and 59,500 UAH for company officials.
However, not every violation necessarily results in a fine. An official may provide evidence of valid reasons for the delay, such as medical treatment, a business trip, or caring for a person with a disability.
In the Zhytomyr region in 2026, four companies received such resolutions; however, in all cases, the reasons for the delay were deemed valid, so no fines were imposed.
OpenDataBot recommends that companies verify in advance who exactly is designated as responsible for submitting the information and retain proof of its timely submission.
Primary sources: OpenDataBot, Regulations on Military Transport Obligations No. 1921, and Article 210-1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses.
ENTERPRISE, FINE, REPORT, TCK, TRANSPORT
According to the results of the first half of 2026, the distribution system operators (DSOs) of DTEK Networks continue to expand the automated commercial electricity metering system (ACEMS), which allows for real-time monitoring of electricity consumption.
“During the first half of 2026, specialists installed nearly 136,000 smart meters in Kyiv, Kyiv, Odesa, and Dnipropetrovsk regions, which is 37% more than during the same period last year,” the operating holding reported on Wednesday.
The pace of smart meter installation continues to grow, and currently, one in three customers in Kyiv, Kyiv, Odesa, and Dnipropetrovsk regions is already using them.
It is noted that smart meters are part of the ASKOE system. They automatically transmit readings to the distribution system operator (DSO), which simplifies the process of accounting for electricity consumption and allows utility companies to more quickly obtain information about the state of the grid and analyze consumption.
As explained by DTEK Networks, for customers, the installation of these meters means less hassle with regularly submitting meter readings and more accurate tracking of electricity consumption.
The implementation of the ASKOE system is taking place as part of an investment program approved annually by the energy regulator, the NEURC.
“You can find out if a meter replacement is scheduled for your home this year on your distribution system operator’s website,” the company explained to consumers.
The installation of smart meters is part of the “Network of the Future” project aimed at modernizing energy infrastructure and implementing Smart Grid technologies.
“DTEK Networks” operates in the business of electricity distribution and power grid operation in Kyiv, as well as in the Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, and Odesa regions. The company’s distribution system operators serve 5.1 million households and 150,000 businesses.
During the first five months of 2026, Ukrainian companies were fined over 7 million UAH for failing to submit or for late submission of transportation data to the Territorial Mobilization and Social Support Centers.
According to OpenDataBot, which cites information from the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Land Forces Command, 263 penalty orders were issued between January and May. The total amount of fines imposed was 7.057 million UAH.
Of this amount, 6.652 million hryvnias—or 94%—have already been paid voluntarily by the companies or collected by force into the budget.
In total, since 2014, 1,047 Ukrainian companies have received rulings for failing to submit information on their vehicles. Notably, 87% of all sanctions were imposed after the start of the full-scale war.
The rulings are issued against company officials responsible for submitting the information. These may include directors, accountants, or other employees entrusted with these duties.
Companies are required to report twice a year to the TCC and the SP on the availability and technical condition of their vehicles and equipment.
Original source: OpenDataBot – “7 million UAH in fines imposed on businesses this year for failing to submit information on vehicles to the TCC”, published on July 29, 2026.
The network of branches of Ukrainian banks decreased by 38 branches in the second quarter of this year, following a reduction of 23 branches in the first quarter, and now stands at 4,754 branches, according to statistics from the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU).
According to the data, Oschadbank closed the most branches in the second quarter—10—reducing its network to 1,115, though it retained its lead in terms of total number of branches.
Due to the liquidation of Motor-Bank, all six of its branches ceased operations in the second quarter.
PrivatBank and Ukreximbank each closed five branches, bringing the networks of these state-owned banks to 1,050 and 18 branches, respectively.
From April through June, TAScombank (83 branches) and Kominbank (39) each closed three branches, while Ukrsibbank (214), Bank Credit Dnipro (31), and Oksi Bank (9) each closed two.
During the second quarter, Raiffeisen Bank (282), A-Bank (196), Poltava-Bank (70), Globus Bank (32), Radabank (32), Alliance Bank (30), Ukrainian Capital Bank (14), and the European Industrial Bank (6).
At the same time, Accordbank (177) opened five new branches, MTB Bank (47) opened two, and PUMB (220) opened one.
According to the National Bank, as of early July of this year, the largest branch networks in Ukraine were operated by the state-owned Oschadbank (1,115) and PrivatBank (1,050). They were followed, by a significant margin, by Raiffeisen Bank (282), PUMB (220), and Ukrsibbank (214).
The top five by number of branches also included Ukrgasbank (206), A-Bank (196), Akordbank (177), Sens Bank (137), and Credit Agricole Bank (124).
As of early July, the five banks with state ownership maintained a network of 2,526 branches, accounting for 53.1% of the total number of branches.
