The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) conducted a search in the apartment of UFuture holding founder Vasyl Khmelnitsky, the businessman himself said on Facebook.
“Already in the office found out that I have guests from the NABU at home. Days of exemplary searches after nights of rocket attacks for Ukrainian businessmen have become a tradition. Unfortunately. This visit of law enforcement agencies to me concerns a case that has been under investigation for more than 4 years, and all these years I am in Kyiv, I am not hiding from anyone, and investigative experiments and interrogations have already been carried out repeatedly”, – wrote Khmelnitsky.
He said that the case concerns a plot of land, which Khmelnitsky together with a partner purchased for the construction of a new modern school at an open auction, paid the full price (18.9 million UAH) and received the rights of the owner.
“For us, it is 100% a social project, not a business. It is access to quality school education that paves the way for Ukraine’s real transformation and reforms in the long term. In the short term – Kiev at the expense of private investment gets the necessary infrastructure for comfortable life of citizens, and the inhabitants of the residential complex – an additional advantage,” he wrote.
The businessman stressed that the legality of the purchase of the land plot at the auction and the conclusion of the sale agreement is confirmed by the court.
“But the NABU believes that the price is too low”, – said Khmelnitsky.
According to the businessman, in accordance with the city planning documentation at this address can not be placed commercial or residential real estate, this explains the price of the contract.
Khmelnitsky noted that in war conditions it is necessary to stop the mass practice of “mask show” and intimidation of business. “All remaining entrepreneurs in the country, believe me, are 100% patriotic and ready for a civilized dialogue. In the last few months alone I have heard about dozens of such cases with show off searches of respected businessmen. Both the Ukrainian society and foreign investors are observing this negative trend. There is a sincere hope that the authorities are listening to the voice of business because it is only possible to defeat the external enemy and develop the Ukrainian economy by joining forces,” he said.
Khmelnytskyy said that he is not going anywhere and is ready to answer all questions.
The Netherlands is likely to send F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine after pilot training, Bloomberg reported Friday, citing its own sources familiar with the matter.
“The Netherlands currently has 42 F-16 fighter jets in service, 24 of which are currently used by the Dutch army and cannot be sent to Ukraine until mid-2024. A dozen of the other 18 aircraft were to have been sold to Draken International (an American limited liability company – IF), but the government postponed handing over the planes in December without explanation, citing commercial confidentiality. Although a final decision on the deployment has not yet been made, Ukraine may receive some of the aircraft for sale or some of the 24 aircraft currently in service next year, depending on the training schedule,” the report says.
The publication stresses that the Netherlands maintains the airworthiness of all its F-16s through regular maintenance.
A spokeswoman for the Dutch defense ministry said Thursday that the government would consider a possible F-16 delivery to Ukraine at a later date, adding that pilot training is now a priority. Meanwhile, the Netherlands, along with Denmark, is now leading a coalition to train Ukrainian pilots with support from Britain and Belgium.
“According to one source, the Dutch government is already studying and discussing possible deployment plans with its allies. Despite the Dutch government’s willingness to help strengthen Ukraine’s air defense as soon as possible, pilot training, deployment planning and logistics could take many months,” the publication writes.
According to the Dutch Defense Ministry, as of today the Netherlands has provided Ukraine with about EUR1.6bn of military assistance since the start of the Russian invasion, including EUR732m worth of equipment.
Light short-term rain with thunderstorms is expected in the western and southeastern regions of Ukraine on the night of Saturday, May 27, according to Ukrhydrometecenter.
During the day in most areas of Ukraine, except for some western regions, moderate short-lived thunderstorm rains are expected, in some areas, squalls of 15-20 m / s.
Winds of northern directions, 5-10 m/sec. Night temperature 11-16°, daytime 21-26°, in the western regions at night 9-14°, daytime 17-22°, in the Carpathians – 7-12°, daytime 10-15°.
May 27, no precipitation at night in Kiev, short rains and thunderstorms during the day. The wind is north of the city, 5-10 m/s, gusty during the storm. The temperature at night is 13-15°C, while during the day it may be 23-25°C.
According to the Central Geophysical Observatory of Boris Sreznevsky in Kiev since the beginning of meteorological observations on May 27 the highest temperature was +33.6°C in 2007, the lowest +1.7°C in 1904.
On Sunday, May 28, in most regions of Ukraine, without precipitation, except in the south and east of the country intermittent rains and thunderstorms. Wind is northeastern, 5-10 m/sec.
The temperature in most western and northern regions at night 6-11°, daytime 18-23°, in the rest of the territory at night 11-16°, daytime 21-26°.
May 28 in Kiev, without precipitation. Wind eastward and northeast, 5-10 m/s. The temperature at night is about 10°, daytime is 21-23°.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories Iryna Vereshchuk believes that it is better to invest in social hostels for IDPs than in the construction of modular towns.
“Today we have 25 modular camps in Ukraine. At most 5 thousand internally displaced people live in them. We have 4.8 million internally displaced people. Is it effective? As for me, it is better to invest in social hostels,” Vereshchuk said on the air of a national telethon on Friday.
According to her, there are a lot of dwellings in Ukraine, which, after being repaired, can be suitable for people living there.
Vereshchuk also drew attention to the fact that the modular hostels need to be maintained, which requires funds.
Share of new buildings, in which construction was resumed, by regions of Ukraine in march 2023
Source: Open4Business.com.ua and experts.news
The expenses of Ukrainian insurance companies on advertising and marketing in January-March 2023 increased by 18.9% compared to the same period in 2022 – up to UAH 30.8 million, according to the website of the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU).
According to the report, the administrative costs of insurers during the reporting period amounted to UAH 1.310 billion, which is 12.3% less than in the first quarter of 2022, and their costs on sales decreased by 3% – to UAH 474 million.
In addition, there was 8.4% reduction in the expenses on conclusion and prolongation of insurance contracts – from UAH 2.818 billion in January-March 2022 to UAH 2.581 billion this year. Expenses on agent remunerations decreased by 10.4% 0 to UAH 2.369 bn.
Expenses on conclusion and prolongation of reinsurance contracts have increased by 28% up to UAH 24,2 mln, including fees for brokers – by 32,7%, to UAH 23,9 mln, from which non-resident brokers have reduced by 37,5% down to UAH 4,5 mln.
Expenses on settlement of insured events increased by 14.8% up to UAH 101.1 mln, and expenses on services of evaluators increased by 32.7% up to UAH 32.9 mln.
The expenses for assistance services have decreased by 2.2% and amounted to UAH 45,2 mln. At the same time, payment for the services of non-resident assistance reduced 2.3 times, to UAH 2.4 mln.
The expenses on court cases increased in 2,8 times, up to UAH 13,2 mln.
As it was reported, in January-March 2023 Ukrainian insurance companies collected net premiums to the amount of UAH 9.911 billion, which is by 6.1% more than in the same period a year earlier (UAH 9.338 billion).
In addition, in the first quarter of 2023 Ukrainian insurers paid out UAH 3,745 billion of net insurance payments (+19%). The level of net payments increased from 33,7% to 37,8%.
According to the NBU, the total number of insurance companies in Ukraine as of April 1, 2023 amounted to 122 companies, 12 of which specialize in life insurance, while on the same date a year earlier there were 145 (13 life insurance).
