On Thursday, May 28, at the Centralized Spent Fuel Storage Facility site, Oleg Korikov, Chairman of the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine (SNRIU), officially handed over the license for the “nuclear facility operation” life cycle stage of the Centralized Spent Fuel Storage Facility to Pavlo Kovtonyuk, Acting Chairman of the Board of NAEK “Energoatom.”
“Obtaining the license to operate the repository confirms the Ukrainian nuclear industry’s ability to implement large-scale and technologically complex projects in accordance with the highest global safety standards,” stated the head of Energoatom during the handover of the licensing documents.
According to him, the facility’s operation over the next 100 years will strengthen the energy resilience of Ukraine’s nuclear power generation, ensure the safe management of spent nuclear fuel, and provide the state with significant economic benefits—currently, Ukraine saves approximately $200 million annually, which was previously spent on transporting fuel abroad.
In turn, as noted by SNRIU Chairman Korikov, the issuance of a license for the “nuclear facility operation” life cycle stage of the CSFSF marks the completion of the process of establishing Ukraine’s own system for the safe management of spent nuclear fuel (SNF).
Prior to the issuance of this license, the storage facility operated under a separate commissioning license.
“From the perspective of the state regulatory body for nuclear and radiation safety, it is important that the operation of the CSFSF ensures compliance with nuclear and radiation safety requirements and IAEA standards,” Korikov emphasized.
He explained that, in accordance with these standards, the spent fuel storage pools of each reactor unit at a nuclear power plant must have sufficient free volume to accommodate the complete unloading of the core at any point during operation.
“The CSFSF is a practical solution to the issue of spent nuclear fuel management following the termination of cooperation with Russia in this area,” added the head of the SNRA.
The decision to issue the license was the result of a state review of the nuclear and radiation safety of the supporting documentation for Energoatom’s application and an inspection of the operating organization.
As Energoatom noted, construction of the CSFSF began in 2017. In 2020, construction of the first launch complex was completed, and in 2021, the special Vilcha-Yaniv railway line was completed, connecting the storage facility to Ukraine’s general railway network.
On the eve of the full-scale Russian invasion, Energoatom completed a series of cold tests of all the facility’s systems, and on April 25, 2022, the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate issued a separate permit to commission the CSFSF.
In other words, until May 25, 2026, the storage facility operated under a separate permit and a special license for commissioning. After completing all necessary procedures and inspections, the State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate issued the CSFSF a permanent operating license.
The stable operation of the CSFSF ensures the continued operation of nine Ukrainian power units in the territory controlled by Ukraine and guarantees the continuity of electricity generation.
Previously, Ukraine shipped spent nuclear fuel from the Rivne, Khmelnytskyi, and South Ukraine NPPs to Russia annually for storage and reprocessing, spending approximately $200 million on this. The creation of the CSFSF made it possible to completely abandon this practice and eliminate critical dependence on Russian nuclear infrastructure.
The repository is designed for at least 100 years of operation and uses the “dry” storage technology developed by the American company Holtec International, which is used in the United States, Spain, the United Kingdom, and other countries.
American billionaire and tech investor Peter Thiel has temporarily moved his family to Argentina and is considering the country as a potential fallback base amid political, economic, and security risks in the U.S., according to the Financial Times and The New York Times.
According to media reports, Thiel has frequently visited Buenos Aires in recent months, meeting with Argentine President Javier Milei and representatives of his government. The investor has also purchased a mansion in a prestigious neighborhood of the Argentine capital and enrolled his children in a local private school.
One factor cited for Thiel’s interest in Argentina is Javier Milei’s policies. The Argentine president is implementing a program of large-scale deregulation, cuts in government spending, and libertarian economic reforms. These ideas align with Thiel’s views, as he has long advocated for reducing the role of the state, taxes, and regulation.
According to The New York Times, Argentine authorities have also explored the possibility of granting Thiel permanent residency or citizenship, though the investor himself has not yet applied for Argentine citizenship.
Thiel’s move to Argentina is being discussed against the backdrop of a broader trend among some American tech entrepreneurs and investors who are seeking alternative jurisdictions for residency, asset management, and capital protection. Among the reasons cited by the media are tax risks, political polarization, security concerns, and interest in countries with more flexible regulations.
For Argentina, Thiel’s presence holds symbolic significance. One of Silicon Valley’s most famous investors is effectively demonstrating interest in Milei’s economic agenda, as he seeks to transform the country into a hub for capital, tech companies, and entrepreneurs focused on minimal regulation.
Peter Thiel is a co-founder of PayPal, one of Facebook’s earliest investors, and chairman of the board of directors at Palantir Technologies. He is also known as a major political donor in the U.S. and an ally of parts of the Republican establishment, including Donald Trump’s inner circle. His fortune is estimated at tens of billions of dollars.
The Odesa Investment Congress 2026, dedicated to Ukraine’s investment potential and new regional development strategies, will take place on July 10 in Odesa at the SPATIUM Hotel, according to the event organizers.
The national-level congress is organized by DMNTR Media Group, with SPATIUM Group serving as the general partner. The event will be the Odesa leg of the UBC project and will be held in Odesa for the first time.
Developers, investors, architects, urban planners, representatives of the government, the international community, the banking sector, and the business community, as well as designers and brokers from various regions of Ukraine, are invited to participate.
The Odesa Investment Congress 2026 will focus on investment trends for 2027–2030, the profitability of various asset types, developers’ expansion into new regions, site evaluations, project risks and payback periods, as well as the integration of UNESCO heritage preservation with modern urban development.
Special attention will be given to accessibility as a fundamental principle of shaping the modern environment, the development of apart-hotels, the revitalization of industrial zones, a new architectural code, healthcare, the wellness sector, and recreational architecture as drivers of the new economy in Ukrainian cities.
The congress program includes four thematic halls, panel discussions, a press conference, a presentation of SPATIUM investment projects, a gala evening, a fashion show, and the presentation of the Vasyl Kandinsky Special Award.
A special program is also planned for guests on July 9 and 11, including visits to construction sites, presentations, and a dinner.
Among the announced participants and market companies are SPATIUM, Zezman, “Gefest,” Kreator-Bud, KADORR, SAGA, RIEL, “Akvareli,” “Dva Akademika,” Stolitsa Group, Sigma+, Vlasne Misto, and other companies working in the field of development and growth of Ukrainian territories.
“The Odesa Investment Congress 2026 will serve as a platform to discuss where investments are heading, which regions of Ukraine could become new growth hubs, and how development, architecture, medicine, wellness, and modern urban infrastructure are shaping the economy of the future,” the organizers note.
The event will take place on July 10, 2026, at the SPATIUM hotel in Odesa. The event will run from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
To join the congress as a VIP guest, speaker, or partner, please call: 044 461 91 28.
More details about the congress: www.ubc-ua.info/oic
Organizer: DMNTR Media Group. General partner: SPATIUM Group.
Interfax-Ukraine – information partner
Kyivstar, Ukraine’s largest mobile operator, has announced its vision to increase the share of revenue from digital services to 50% in the future, a figure that has risen to 20% in recent years.
“Our vision is that one day our revenue from digital services will equal our revenue from telecommunications. We’ve reached 20% now. We still need 30%,” Kyivstar CEO and President Oleksandr Komarov said at Forbes Money on Thursday.
According to him, thanks to this year’s acquisition of Tabletki, the company already has more digital customers than telecom customers: the group’s digital businesses reached a three-month audience of 28 million users, compared to 22 million in the telecom business.
“In other words, we are moving forward with the implementation of our strategy. We understand that the core value today, unfortunately, is not created by the presence of a telecom connection,” Komarov added.
He clarified that the company is currently building an ecosystem of various digital services around its core offering, which is the telecom business.
“But perhaps in five years, the core offering will be, for example, the ‘Uklon’ offering. In other words, this creates a field of opportunities for the development of the Kyivstar Group,” said the president of Kyivstar.
Komarov noted that the company’s investment payback period is estimated at around 5–6 years.
“We don’t factor synergies into the deals, but we certainly keep in mind what synergies we can achieve. For example, the synergies between Kyivstar and Tabletki are quite insignificant, but the synergies between Tabletki and Helsi are quite significant,” the mobile operator’s CEO cited as an example.
He emphasized that it is also important for Kyivstar to reduce its dependence on its core telecom business, as investors are less interested in this sector.
“There is hope that at some point we will be able to position this group as a set of digital assets with a completely different perspective on its valuation,” Komarov explained.
As reported, Kyivstar increased its consolidated EBITDA by 28.5% in the first quarter of 2026—to 7.5 billion UAH—while revenue grew by 31.3%—to 13.9 billion UAH.
The information and analytical center Experts Club presented a video analysis of the dynamics of wheat cultivation worldwide for the period from 1990 to 2026, prepared on the basis of comparative data on wheat production in the main producing countries.
According to available data, global wheat production in the countries included in the analysis increased from about 591.3 million tonnes in 1990 to an estimated 816.4 million tonnes in 2026. Thus, over 36 years, the volume of production increased by approximately 225 million tonnes, or by 38%.
At the same time, the highest indicator in the available data set was recorded in 2025 — about 831.9 million tonnes. The forecast indicator for 2026 is lower — 816.4 million tonnes, which may indicate a partial correction after the high harvest of the previous year, but the overall long-term trend remains upward.
Experts Club notes that the video format makes it possible to visually trace not only the growth of global wheat production, but also the change in the geography of the main producers. If in the early 1990s the largest producers included the USSR, China, the United States, India, France and Canada, then in the current structure the leading positions are occupied by China, India, Russia, the United States, France, Canada, Australia, Pakistan and Ukraine.
According to FAO and USDA data, in 1990 the largest volume of wheat production was accounted for by the USSR — about 101.9 million tonnes, China — 98.2 million tonnes, the United States — 74.3 million tonnes, India — 49.8 million tonnes, France — 33.3 million tonnes and Canada — 32.1 million tonnes. The combined share of the ten largest producers at that time was about 77% of the global indicator.
In 2026, according to available data, China remains the largest wheat producer — about 141 million tonnes. India ranks second — 121 million tonnes, and Russia ranks third — 86 million tonnes. They are followed by the United States — 42.5 million tonnes, France — 36 million tonnes, Canada — 35 million tonnes, Australia and Pakistan — 30 million tonnes each, Ukraine — 23 million tonnes, and Germany — 21.5 million tonnes.
The share of China and India in global wheat production increased significantly during this period. If in 1990 these two countries accounted for about 25% of global production, then in 2026 they already account for more than 32%. This reflects the long-term strengthening of Asia’s role in the global food system.
“Wheat remains one of the basic indicators of food security. Over the past decades, we have seen not only an increase in global production, but also a gradual shift in the centers of agricultural weight. China and India have become key producers, while the countries of the Black Sea region have significantly strengthened their influence on the international grain market,” said Maksym Urakin, founder of the information and analytical center Experts Club and Candidate of Economic Sciences.
Ukraine plays a separate role in the modern production structure. According to available data, after Ukraine appeared as a separate statistical unit in the early 1990s, wheat production amounted to about 19.5 million tonnes in 1992. In 2021, the indicator reached more than 32 million tonnes, after which it declined due to the war, logistical restrictions, mined territories, changes in the structure of sown areas and the loss of part of production capacity.
In 2024, wheat production in Ukraine was estimated at approximately 23.4 million tonnes, in 2025 — 24.1 million tonnes, and in 2026 — about 23 million tonnes. Despite difficult conditions, Ukraine remains among the ten largest wheat producers in the world and retains strategic importance for the global grain market.
The data also indicate changes in the position of the United States. In 1990, the United States produced more than 74 million tonnes of wheat and was one of the three largest producers in the world. In 2026, its indicator stands at about 42.5 million tonnes. This does not mean a loss of U.S. agricultural potential as a whole, but reflects structural changes in agriculture, competition with other crops and a change in the global production balance.
Russia, which has been reflected separately in statistics after the collapse of the USSR, has become one of the key wheat producers in the 21st century. According to available data, in 2025 its production was estimated at approximately 90.3 million tonnes, and in 2026 — 86 million tonnes. At the same time, the countries of the former USSR as a whole remain an important center of global grain production.
“The global wheat market has become much more multipolar. If previously several major producers played the key role, now several regions at once are critically important for food stability — Asia, North America, Europe, the Black Sea basin and Australia. Any climatic, logistical or military-political risks in one of these regions quickly affect global prices,” Urakin emphasized.
Experts Club draws attention to the fact that when analyzing wheat, it is important to distinguish between absolute production volumes, export potential and domestic consumption. China and India are the largest producers, but a significant part of their harvest is used on the domestic market. Instead, Ukraine, Russia, Canada, Australia, the United States and France have a significant influence specifically on international wheat trade.
The center’s analysts note that the further dynamics of wheat production will depend on several key factors: climatic conditions, access to fertilizers and seeds, energy costs, the state of logistics infrastructure, trade restrictions, war risks and state policy to support the agricultural sector.
According to Experts Club’s assessment, long-term visualization of wheat cultivation indicators makes it possible to better understand how the global food system has changed since 1990, which countries have strengthened their positions and why grain production remains one of the key elements of economic and political security.
According to the Interfax-Ukraine Culture project, the Ukrainian book market is maintaining stable demand during the war, but publishers are facing rising production costs, logistical problems, the loss of warehouses, and changing reader preferences. This is evidenced by assessments from participants at the 14th “Book Arsenal” in Kyiv, published by the Interfax-Ukraine agency on the Interfax-Ukraine Culture project website.
The 14th “Book Arsenal” has become one of the key platforms for assessing the state of the Ukrainian publishing industry. Dozens of Ukrainian publishing houses are represented at the festival—from major players to niche projects working with military, historical, Ukrainian studies, classical, and contemporary fiction.
Market representatives note that, despite the difficult economic situation, shelling, and rising costs of paper and logistics, interest in Ukrainian books remains strong. Readers are increasingly choosing publications on history, war, culture, national identity, as well as contemporary Ukrainian fiction.
Gennadiy Korber, deputy director of the Kharkiv-based publishing house “Folio,” reported that demand for books has declined, but the market continues to function. According to him, a significant portion of the publishing house’s books is still printed in Kharkiv, despite the city’s ongoing shelling, while some orders are fulfilled in other regions of Ukraine.
Among Folio’s new releases presented at the Book Arsenal are Oleksii Bobrovnikov’s novel “Red Zone” about the war and Yurii Soroka’s book “Our Knight’s Cross.” The publishing house notes a growing interest in Ukrainian history, classics, military themes, and fantasy. According to market representatives, the youth audience actively reads fantasy, although for a number of publishers this segment was not previously a primary focus.
One of the main economic challenges for the industry remains rising production costs. Publishers attribute the increase in book prices to rising costs for paper, logistics, imported raw materials, and currency fluctuations. According to market participants’ estimates, paper prices may have risen by approximately 20–25% over the past year. Ukraine has virtually no domestic production of commercial paper for the book industry, so publishers rely on imports, particularly from Lithuania, the Czech Republic, and other countries.
Russian shelling remains an additional risk factor, leading not only to production delays but also to direct losses of print runs. Folio reported instances where books were destroyed due to strikes on factories where orders were being processed.
For the Ukrainian Priority publishing house, the strike on its infrastructure was critical.
Its director, Volodymyr Shovkoshytny, said that as a result of a Shahed drone attack on the night of June 17 last year, the publisher’s warehouse and office were destroyed. According to him, about 70,000 books and office equipment were burned, and only about 4,000–5,000 damaged copies could be salvaged from the ashes and water.
Despite the losses, the publishing house set a goal to restore its catalog by the first anniversary of the attack. Ukrainian Priority’s main focus is historical, literary, and popular science literature on Ukrainian history, spanning from the Scythian era to the modern war.
Publishers are also noting a steady interest in literature on Ukrainian studies. Publisher Oleksandr Savchuk noted that after the start of the full-scale war, Ukrainians became significantly more interested in books about their own culture, history, and identity. At the same time, he said, following a sharp rise in demand during the early years of the war, the market is now seeing a certain decline, though interest in Ukrainian topics remains long-term.
Digital services are emerging as a distinct area of development in the book market. Olga Olkhova, founder of the Litcom book app, presented an update to the service at the “Book Arsenal,” which is positioned as a book market navigator and a tool for building one’s own library. The app now allows users to add books by scanning a barcode, make written and audio notes, and track who the reader has lent the book to.
According to Olkhova, non-fiction is in high demand in Ukraine, especially short audio formats based on books. The Litcom team is also conducting research on the reading habits of Ukrainians among schoolchildren, students, active readers, and the general public. They plan to release the initial results after the conclusion of the “Book Arsenal.”
Military literature remains a notable market segment. Iryna Bilotserkivska, director of the Bilka publishing house, noted that the publishing house has been working with military literature since 2018. Among the new releases is a collection of military horror stories titled “Birds in the Dark,” written by eight military authors. According to the publisher, this is effectively a new genre emerging from the experience of war.
Market participants are also noting a shift in buyers’ expectations regarding the quality of the book as a physical product. While previously part of the audience focused primarily on price, readers now more often pay attention to printing quality, layout, illustrations, cover design, and the collectible value of the publication. The festival’s booths feature gift editions, designer series of classics, and collectible books with colored edges, embossing, and illustrations.
Svitlana Stretovych, editor-in-chief and founder of Stretovych Publishing House, presented the Ukrainian translation of Agatha Christie’s autobiography at the “Book Arsenal”—the first time it has been published in Ukrainian. According to her, the book was originally published worldwide in 1977, but Ukrainian readers had not yet had access to a translation.
Thus, the Ukrainian book market continues to operate amid war, rising costs, and infrastructure risks. Demand has become more selective, yet interest in history, war, national identity, Ukrainian literature, and high-quality publications remains strong. For publishers, “Book Arsenal” remains significant not only as a fair but also as a platform for direct contact with readers, authors, and partners.
“Book Arsenal” is an annual international festival in Kyiv that brings together publishers, authors, readers, cultural institutions, and representatives of the creative industries.
In 2026, the festival will be held for the fourteenth time and remains one of the main public platforms of the Ukrainian book market.
Source: https://interfax.com.ua/news/culture/1171986.html
