According to the Interfax-Ukraine Culture project, 45% of Ukrainians read more than three books last year, while 15% did not read a single one, according to the “Culture in Ukraine” study by Research.ua, which was presented by the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine on Thursday in Kyiv.
Specifically, when asked about the number of books read in 2025, 45% of respondents said they read more than three books, of which 20% read 3–4 books and 25% read 5 or more books; 35% read 1–2 books per year, and 15% did not read a single book that year.
Regarding sources of books, 30% of respondents cited bookstores, 21% cited bookstores and libraries, and 8% cited libraries only.
According to the survey, 75% of respondents read paper books, 55% read e-books, and 24% listen to audiobooks.
As for language, 90% of respondents read in Ukrainian, 38% in Russian, and 10% in English.
The survey was conducted December 22–30, 2025, via online interviews; the sample consisted of 2,000 respondents; the survey covered the adult urban population of Ukraine in all regions, excluding temporarily occupied territories.
https://interfax.com.ua/news/culture/1171704.html
The Polish group Orlen is interested in expanding its presence in Ukraine and is considering the possibility of acquiring a stake in JSC “Ukrnafta,” the Polish online portal bankier.pl reported on Thursday, citing Orlen CEO Ireneusz Fafar.
“We have begun discussions regarding the possibility of our participation in Ukrnafta. We are one of the partners in this process. Whether this participation will take place and what form it will take is a matter for negotiations with the Ukrainian side,” he stated at a press conference.
According to him, the Ukrainian market is of paramount importance to the group, especially for the oil refinery in Mažeikiai (Lithuania), which sells nearly 18% of its products there.
“We believe that the war will end and Ukraine will emerge victorious. We would like to participate more actively in this market than we do now. We are one of the main partners supplying fuel to Ukraine and would like to strengthen this position,” Fafara emphasized.
He added that Orlen sells about 1.5 million tons of petroleum products in Ukraine annually.
JSC “Ukrnafta” is Ukraine’s largest oil production company, carrying out a full cycle of activities in the field of production: exploration, oil and gas production, provision of oilfield services, as well as management of the largest network of gas stations in Ukraine, UKRNAFTA.
The company has over 1,106 oil wells and 131 gas wells on its balance sheet.
The shareholders of JSC “Ukrnafta” are NJSC “Naftogaz of Ukraine” and the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. Since 2022, the company has been under state management and is implementing a large-scale business transformation.
The UKRNAFTA gas station network is the largest network of gas stations in Ukraine, comprising nearly 700 stations and ranking among the top three in terms of fuel sales volume. The UKRNAFTA brand consolidates networks that previously operated under the Glusco, Shell, and U.Go brands.
Ukrainian industry has withstood what seemed impossible. Despite large-scale destruction, energy crises and the constant military threat, production in Ukraine has not stopped. In 2025, the processing industry paid UAH 367.5 billion in taxes — 18% of all revenues to the state budget. This is the largest increase among all sectors of the economy.
Behind these figures are entrepreneurs who continue to take risks, invest and build. And also state policy, which in recent years has begun to focus more on supporting production: financing programs, tax incentives and the development of industrial parks.
A network of 116 industrial parks has already been formed in Ukraine. On their territories, 37 industrial enterprises have already been built or are being built: 22 plants have been put into operation, another 15 are in the process of construction.
Now the main thing is to scale this process and turn industrial parks into real points of production, investment and new jobs.
“Production is the driver of the country’s economy. These are jobs, taxes, development and resilience, which can already be seen in the example of the Bila Tserkva Industrial Park. It is important that there should be more such projects. That production facilities develop, investors invest funds, and people acquire the necessary skills to work in the new economy,” notes Vasyl Khmelnytsky, founder of the UNIT.City innovation park and the Bila Tserkva Industrial Park, initiator of the forum.
These very issues will become the main topic of the forum “Industrial Evolution: Production Switches on the Economy” which will take place on June 18, 2026, at the Bila Tserkva Industrial Park for the fifth time already.
The forum will bring together more than 1,500 participants — owners and managers of production companies, investors, representatives of the authorities, the financial sector and experts. International delegations from the business, industrial, investment and diplomatic environment will also take part in the forum.
The program includes panel discussions, an exhibition zone of technologies and equipment for manufacturers, practical cases of companies that are already scaling production in Ukraine, and networking.
At the center of the discussions are energy challenges, the shortage of personnel, access to financing and insurance, state support, industrial parks, exports and new markets.
Among the speakers of the forum:
Manufacturers will share practical experience of working during the war, and representatives of the state will tell which support tools are already working and what is planned next.
The organizers of the forum are the Bila Tserkva Industrial Park, the Kyiv Regional Military Administration, Astrobuild LLC (management company and developer of the Bila Tserkva Industrial Park) and the Kyiv International Economic Forum.
Participation is free of charge with prior registration: industry.forumkyiv.org
Industrial Evolution, INDUSTRIAL PARKS, UKRAINIAN MANUFACTURING
Repair crews from Zaporizhzhyaoblenergo JSC working in frontline areas have begun using UAVs to ensure the safety of power workers during emergency repair operations, the company announced on Friday.
“To minimize the danger to our employees, we have incorporated the ‘reconnaissance’ experience gained by our military using UAVs into our energy operations. For several months now, specialists have been training our ‘repair crews’ to operate drones so they can remotely identify equipment damage while remaining in a safer location,” said Andriy Stasevsky, head of Zaporizhzhiaoblenergo.
According to him, the company’s employees have to work daily in extreme proximity to the front line, and the longer the crews remain there, the higher the risks. At the same time, to repair, for example, an overhead power line, one must first inspect several kilometers of the line to locate the damage, a process that can take hours in conditions where there is nowhere to take cover outside populated areas. Therefore, while inspecting equipment, power workers are highly vulnerable to enemy shelling.
Currently, thanks to Deputy CEO Stanislav Zhadan, the company has managed to bring in leading experts in the field of UAVs for training, synthesize their accumulated experience, and begin applying it to its operations.
“We already have our first ‘graduates’—several repair crews have successfully completed drone pilot training and are already using them during emergency restoration work,” stated the head of Zaporizhzhiaoblenergo.
The process is ongoing in coordination with the military, facilitated by the Zaporizhzhia Regional State Administration. At the same time, the issue of providing the necessary equipment is being addressed.
Bosch, a leading global supplier of technology and services, ended the 2025 fiscal year in Ukraine with consolidated sales to third parties of nearly EUR162 million (UAH 7.6 billion), a 3.5% increase compared to the previous year, according to Serhiy Baranovsky, CEO of Bosch in Ukraine.
“Despite challenging macroeconomic and security conditions, the company maintained positive momentum thanks to stable demand, the expansion of its partner network, and active participation in Ukraine’s recovery projects. For us, it is important not only to grow our business but also to be a reliable partner that helps rebuild infrastructure and provides high-quality solutions for people and communities,” Baranovsky said at a press conference on Thursday.
In 2025, all of Bosch’s business sectors in Ukraine demonstrated growth, although growth rates varied across individual segments.
Growth in the Mobility segment, represented by the Mobility Aftermarket division (automotive parts and equipment), was driven by the development of service infrastructure, expanded distribution, and stable demand for automotive services. Four new “Bosch Auto Service” stations were opened in 2025; the network now comprises over 100 stations. According to Baranovsky, an additional driver of growth in 2025 was the rising demand for servicing used cars, as well as electric vehicles and hybrids.
In the Energy and Building Technology business sector, which includes the Bosch Home Comfort and Building Technologies divisions, Bosch demonstrated positive growth in 2025 thanks to rising demand for energy-efficient, autonomous, and infrastructure solutions. Bosch Home Comfort implemented over 70 projects in the commercial and industrial sectors during the year.
The highest demand was observed for gas equipment, air conditioning systems, industrial boilers, and hot water supply solutions, particularly in the context of infrastructure reconstruction and modernization. The company also expanded its portfolio by introducing a new generation of electric and gas water heaters and modern split-system air conditioners, while strengthening its commercial segment with Buderus solutions. In addition, the integration of climate solutions from Johnson Controls and Hitachi further expanded Bosch’s capabilities in the market.
The Building Technologies division continued to grow its business in the field of modern fire safety systems and security solutions. Growth was driven by the modernization and expansion of existing Bosch systems, particularly in healthcare facilities.
Growth in Power Tools, part of the Consumer Goods business sector, was driven by participation in infrastructure reconstruction and industrial projects, despite a decline in consumer spending. Throughout the year, the company strengthened its product portfolio by launching new professional power tools on the 18V platform, expanding its range of cordless garden equipment, and introducing a specialized line of measuring instruments for electricians and installers.
In the Industrial Technology business sector, the Bosch Rexroth division responded to the growing demand for production modernization following the relocation of enterprises.
Given the scale of Ukraine’s reconstruction needs, Bosch is focusing on solutions for energy independence and infrastructure modernization. Since 2022, the company has implemented over 50 reconstruction projects in the municipal and private sectors. Bosch supports the modernization of heating systems, supplies equipment for industrial enterprises, and implements projects aimed at improving energy efficiency. Among the key initiatives is a partnership with GIZ, which continues through 2026 and involves the installation of 13 modular boiler plants in frontline communities. The company also remains a key supplier of industrial steam boilers for new production facilities.
Over the past year, the workforce has grown by 3%, to approximately 370 employees.
In the current fiscal year, Bosch is focusing on strengthening its market positions, developing innovative solutions, and supporting key sectors of Ukraine’s economy, particularly regarding infrastructure reconstruction, energy efficiency, industrial modernization, mobility, and municipal services. At the same time, the company continues to explore the potential of new technologies in the local market, such as solutions based on artificial intelligence and energy-efficient technologies, and to develop its partner network and educational initiatives.
“We see growing demand for modern technological solutions and are actively responding to these changes by expanding our presence in new market segments. For us, 2026 will be a year of growth with a special focus on energy efficiency and modernization,” added Serhiy Baranovsky.
The Bosch Group has been operating in Ukraine since 1993 and is the largest supplier of solutions for the automotive industry and the aftermarket, as well as for industrial and household appliances.
The Bosch Group includes Robert Bosch GmbH, founded in 1886, and nearly 500 subsidiaries and regional companies in over 60 countries worldwide. Together with its sales and service partners, Bosch’s global manufacturing, engineering, and sales network covers nearly every country in the world.
Schneider Electric, a global leader in energy technologies, is urging the EU to urgently accelerate the development of energy efficiency and electrification in Europe as a unified, scalable, domestic, and sustainable response to the prolonged volatility of energy prices.
Global energy prices are expected to rise by 24% this year—the largest jump since 2022. Europe is particularly vulnerable to such changes, as energy costs here are typically two to four times higher than in other major regions of the world. Against this backdrop, Schneider Electric is calling on policymakers to stop viewing energy efficiency and electrification as an “add-on” to climate policy and to recognize them as Europe’s only scalable and domestic energy resources. Their accelerated implementation has the potential to generate at least €250 billion annually by 2040, reduce energy demand, decrease dependence on fossil fuels, and boost competitiveness.
Europe remains structurally vulnerable: the EU still relies on imports for nearly 60% of its energy resources, which cost €336.7 billion in 2025. This makes households, industry, and public services vulnerable to instability in global fossil fuel markets and geopolitical upheavals. Schneider Electric emphasizes that measures to improve energy efficiency and electrify end-use consumption can be implemented quickly and with a short payback period, delivering immediate benefits while accelerating the transition to a stronger and more energy-independent system.
Schneider Electric calls on the European Commission and EU member states to focus on five key policy steps:
Calls for support and incentives to help businesses scale proven, fast-return energy efficiency solutions that reduce demand within months.
Industry: Targeted support, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises, to scale up energy management systems and implement low- or no-cost measures that can deliver savings of up to 30% over time and lay the groundwork for digitalized production.
2) Rapidly and consistently implement existing EU legislation on energy efficiency and buildings
Fully implement the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) to ensure a rapid anti-crisis effect. Specifically:
• Rapidly deploy building automation and control systems (BACS) under the EPBD, which can deliver annual savings of 450 TWh in final energy consumption, reduce CO₂ emissions by 64 million tons, and lower energy bills by €36 billion.
• Strengthen energy audit requirements under the EED by making the implementation of their recommendations mandatory—starting with small and medium-sized businesses—using leasing mechanisms and the “energy-as-a-service” financing model.
3) Accelerate electrification through targeted incentives
Despite the growth in electricity production from renewable sources, a significant portion of energy consumption—that is, the demand side—has not yet switched to electricity. As long as people drive gasoline-powered cars and heat their homes with gas, Europe will remain dependent on imported energy sources and price fluctuations.
Faster electrification will enable more effective integration of renewable energy and reduce dependence on price fluctuations for fossil fuels. It also has the potential to break a decade-long period of stagnation in Europe, which currently stands at 21% (10% behind China), where rapid electrification is taking place. Schneider Electric calls for:
• A significant scaling up of heat pump adoption (which are 3–5 times more efficient than gas boilers) with the goal of reaching one million installations annually by 2030. This requires supportive mechanisms that lower initial barriers for consumers, including tools such as social leasing.
• Faster electrification of transportation through targeted measures, including incentives to accelerate the electrification of corporate fleets, which will also foster the development of the used electric vehicle market.
4) Use taxation and funding to shift demand from fossil fuels to clean electricity
Schneider Electric calls on policymakers to make electrification economically attractive by:
• Reducing electricity taxes (including lowering VAT and excise taxes where possible) to narrow the gap between retail prices for electricity and gas.
• Redirecting and simplifying access to public funding to scale up energy efficiency and electrification—specifically funds from the Recovery and Resilience Facility and revenues from the Emissions Trading System (ETS).
• Keep any temporary mechanisms for capping or subsidizing gas prices to a minimum and short-term, as this discourages investment in clean energy resources.
5) Unleash self-generation, flexibility, and smart grids to lower bills
Remove barriers and create incentives for the development of flexibility, energy storage systems, and digitalization, which help reduce peak loads and system costs. Priorities include:
• Ensuring flexibility in buildings and industry through rooftop solar power plants (PV), energy storage systems, and digital control systems, as well as supporting demand response mechanisms.
• Faster and higher-quality deployment of “smart” meters with a focus on functionality, real-time data access, and system interoperability—primarily for large commercial buildings, industry, and EV charging infrastructure.
• More digitized power grids and smarter grid infrastructure planning, including support for grid efficiency technologies, results-oriented KPIs, and tariff models that incentivize peak load reduction and grid-friendly energy consumption.
Laurent Bataille, Executive Vice President of Operations for Europe at Schneider Electric, stated:
“The call for policymakers to prioritize energy efficiency and electrification is just as relevant today as it was four years ago. The solutions haven’t changed. However, during this time, Europe has weathered one energy crisis after another—without making the progress needed to protect itself from price shocks and sky-high costs that leave businesses, households, and industry so vulnerable.
“Complacency is Europe’s greatest energy risk. Plans to subsidize energy costs are merely a temporary solution that does not work in the long term. Europe needs structural changes—ones that will incentivize the adoption of clean technologies so that businesses and households permanently change their approach to energy consumption. We need policies that will foster the creation of an energy system built in Europe and for Europe—one that reduces dependence on volatility, ensures a clean and reliable energy supply, and allows Europe to remain competitive.”
About Schneider Electric
Schneider Electric is a global leader in energy technologies, driving efficiency and sustainability through the electrification, automation, and digitalization of industry, business, and residential spaces. The company’s technologies enable buildings, data centers, factories, infrastructure, and power grids to function as open, interconnected ecosystems, enhancing productivity, resilience, and sustainability.
The company’s portfolio includes smart devices, software-defined architectures, AI-based systems, digital services, and professional consulting services. With 160,000 employees and 1 million partners in over 100 countries, Schneider Electric consistently ranks among the world’s most sustainable companies. Learn more at https://www.se.com/ua/uk/
