Passenger traffic across the Ukrainian border in the penultimate week of Christmas 2025, from December 20 to 26, jumped by another 21.9% to 685,000, causing queues at the border with Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia, according to data from the State Border Service.
According to them, the number of border crossings for departure increased to 329,000 from 279,000 a week earlier, while the increase for entry was even more significant – to 356,000 from 283,000.
At the same time, the number of vehicles that passed through checkpoints this week also decreased to 129,000 from 140,000 a week earlier, and the flow of vehicles with humanitarian cargo decreased to 440 from 516.
While before Christmas the flow of vehicles entering the country significantly exceeded the flow of vehicles leaving, the picture changed with the start of school holidays and the approach of the New Year. This Saturday, the number of crossings out of the country was 53,000 compared to 36,000 into the country, but overall, the flow decreased significantly compared to the previous Saturday, when 62-63,000 people crossed the border in each direction.
According to the State Border Service, as of 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, there were no queues at the border with Romania and Moldova, while at the borders with three other countries they remained, but were not as long as before Christmas and last weekend.
At the border with Poland, most passenger cars were waiting to cross at the Ustyluh checkpoint – 70. The queue at the Uhryniv and Krakivets checkpoints consisted of 30 cars each, and at the Rava-Ruska and Hrushev checkpoints – 20 cars each. At the same time, 25 buses accumulated at the Krakivets checkpoint and 13 at the Shehyni checkpoint.
Forty cars were waiting to cross the border with Slovakia at the Uzhhorod checkpoint and 25 at the Maly Berezny checkpoint.
At the border with Hungary, the longest queue was at the Tisa checkpoint – 15 cars, while 10 cars accumulated at the Luzhanka and Vilok checkpoints.
The total number of border crossings this week is slightly higher than last year. At that time, 325,000 people left Ukraine in 7 days, and 332,000 entered, and the flow of cars was also lower – 117,000.
Last year, a 12.5% increase in passenger traffic was recorded during this week, and during the New Year week, it fell by 22.7%.
As reported, from May 10, 2022, the outflow of refugees from Ukraine, which began with the start of the war, was replaced by an influx that lasted until September 23, 2022, and amounted to 409,000 people. However, since the end of September, possibly influenced by news of mobilization in Russia and “pseudo-referendums” in the occupied territories, followed by massive shelling of energy infrastructure, the number of those leaving exceeded the number of those entering. In total, from the end of September 2022 to the first anniversary of the full-scale war, it reached 223,000 people.
In the second year of the full-scale war, the number of border crossings to leave Ukraine, according to the State Border Service, exceeded the number of crossings to enter by 25,000, in the third year by 187,000, and since the beginning of the fourth year by 176,000.
As Serhiy Sobolev, then Deputy Minister of Economy, noted in early March 2023, the return of every 100,000 Ukrainians home results in a 0.5% increase in GDP.
In its July inflation report, the National Bank worsened its migration forecast: while in April it expected a net inflow of 0.2 million people to Ukraine in 2026, it now forecasts a net outflow of 0.2 million, which corresponds to the estimate of the net outflow this year. “Net return will only begin in 2027 (about 0.1 million people, compared to 0.5 million in the previous forecast),” the NBU added and confirmed this forecast at the end of October. In absolute terms, the National Bank estimates the number of migrants currently remaining abroad at about 5.8 million.
According to updated UNHCR data, the number of Ukrainian refugees in Europe as of December 11, 2025, was estimated at 5.311 million (5.331 million as of November 14), and 5.860 million (5.850 million) worldwide.
In Ukraine itself, according to the latest UN data for September this year, there are 3.694 million internally displaced persons (IDPs), compared to 3.340 million in July.
The cost of 12 lean dishes for the 2025 Christmas table is 913.57 UAH, which is 11% more than last year, according to the Ukrainian Agribusiness Club (UACB)
“Food prices on the eve of the Christmas holidays show mixed trends: thanks to a record drop in vegetable prices, the cost of some traditional dishes has decreased, but the total cost of the Christmas table has increased due to the rise in prices for fruit, fish, and groceries,” the association explained.
Analysts noted that a distinctive feature of this winter season was “vegetable deflation.” Thanks to a good harvest, prices for vegetables used in borscht have fallen significantly: cabbage has fallen in price by 73%, carrots by 63%, onions by 58%, potatoes by 54%, and beets by 51%. This has led to significant savings in the preparation of dishes such as cabbage dumplings (their cost has fallen by 47%), potatoes with garlic (-40%), and vinaigrette (-18%). Even lean borscht will cost 18% less this year than last year.
At the same time, the main symbols of the Christmas table – kutia and uzvar – have noticeably increased in price, according to the UACB. The kutia index rose by 37%. This is due to the rise in prices of all its components: nuts jumped in price by 60%, honey by 40%, and poppy seeds and raisins by more than 30%. The ingredients for uzvar led the way in terms of price growth: prunes rose in price by 168%, dried pears by 140%, and apples by 110%, which led to a 150% increase in the price of the drink.
Fish dishes also became more expensive: the cost of herring rose by 24%, and fish (hake) for baking – by 25%. In addition, the final cost of dishes is influenced by sunflower oil, which is a basic element of the Lenten table and has risen in price by 22% over the year.
As for meat dishes (for those who do not observe Lent or are already preparing for the New Year), their preparation is more expensive than last year. Baked pork neck will cost 7% more (330 UAH/kg). Lard is outpacing the growth in meat prices – over the year, the product has increased in price by 16% and costs 272 UAH/kg. The cost of meat borscht has increased by 27%, reaching 196 UAH, with pork ribs accounting for over 60% of the price (119.5 UAH per 500 g). Chicken prices are rising due to the increase in feed costs, while pork prices are stabilizing due to imports.
Sliced cheese will be one of the most expensive items on the New Year’s table—700 UAH/kg, which is 40% more than last year. Despite the general trend of declining wholesale prices for raw milk, producers are maintaining high prices for cheese and butter due to expensive energy resources. Eggs, which are essential for Olivier salad, rose by 10% compared to the same period last year and reached 81.6 UAH per dozen, according to the UACB.
The number of Ukrainians planning Christmas and New Year shopping has increased over the year from 65% to 75%, despite the fourth year of full-scale war, according to Deloitte Ukraine’s “Holiday Shopping 2025” survey, provided by the company’s press service.
“This year, we see that preparations for the holidays are becoming more thoughtful and forward-looking: Ukrainians are planning their purchases earlier, approaching spending more cautiously, and more often choosing things that have personal significance for them and their loved ones. For 51% of respondents, the process of preparing gifts remains a pleasant ritual rather than a source of stress. Such familiar concerns help us today to support ourselves and those around us,” notes Alexander Yampolsky, head of retail and wholesale distribution at Deloitte Ukraine.
However, according to the survey results, more and more Ukrainians are also choosing to celebrate at home—68% compared to 54% in 2024. More and more Ukrainians are starting their holiday shopping early: 18% before December, while the main shopping period is December 1-24 (62%).
For the fourth year in a row, Ukrainians are not increasing their spending: 46% are willing to spend no more than a quarter of their monthly income on shopping, and 54% plan to spend between UAH 1,000 and UAH 5,000, with holiday purchases focused on family (88%) and friends (40%). At the same time, young people are more likely to deviate from the traditional scenario: 49% buy gifts for themselves.
Ukrainians most often do their holiday shopping in large and medium-sized supermarket chains (43%), with online stores consistently ranking second (27%) and cosmetics stores (21%) remaining popular due to the demand for gifts “for themselves and their loved ones.”
The most popular tools for choosing gifts are wish lists (46%), price comparison services (54%), and online reviews (50%). Recommendations from influencers play a much smaller role, with only 9-10% of respondents relying on them. And only 10% of respondents believe that the presence of an AI assistant on retailers’ online platforms would make it easier to select holiday gifts.
It is emphasized that shoppers are most upset by the lack of available products (27%), excessive advertising (22%), and inconvenient search filters (14%).
At the same time, 64% of Ukrainians plan to allocate part of their holiday budget to charity, and 8 out of 10 primarily support Ukrainian defenders on the front lines.
“The holiday habits of Ukrainians reflect not only consumer trends, but also deeper internal changes. The way people give gifts, celebrate, and seek joy is now an important part of their emotional stability. Even during the war, Ukrainians remain a community that helps, shares, and creates a festive atmosphere for each other,” Yampolsky concluded.
The study was conducted using a multi-stage stratified sample representing the population of Ukraine by gender, age, size of settlement, and type of employment. Data was collected through an online survey using a quota sample that corresponds to the socio-demographic profile of the Ukrainian population. In total, more than 1,000 respondents took part in the survey.
If a trilateral meeting between US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and Russian President Vladimir Putin takes place, the war could end before Christmas (December 25), according to Republican Senator Lindsey Graham.
“If a trilateral meeting between US President Donald Trump, President Zelensky and Putin takes place, I am cautiously optimistic that this war will end well before Christmas,” he wrote on social media.
“If the meeting does not take place, I think President Trump could impose serious consequences on Putin and those who buy his oil and gas,” Graham predicts.
Oil prices rose in pre-holiday trading on Tuesday, recovering the losses incurred the day before.
The cost of February futures for Brent on the London ICE Futures exchange rose by $0.95 (1.3%) to $73.58 per barrel.
February futures for WTI on the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) rose by $0.86 (1.2%) to $70.1 per barrel.
Media reports that China may issue special treasury bonds worth a record 3 trillion yuan ($411 billion) in 2025 to raise funds to support the national economy have encouraged oil traders. China is one of the world’s largest oil importers and consumers.
Quotes continue to be supported by concerns about geopolitical tensions in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, as well as the prospect of tighter sanctions against Russia and Iran.
Meanwhile, expectations of an oversupply of crude oil amid unclear demand prospects and a stronger US dollar are having a restraining effect on oil prices, making commodities less attractive.
The market was evaluating the latest statements by US President-elect Donald Trump, who threatened to restore Washington’s control over the Panama Canal if the fee for passage through it is not reduced, and was also waiting for official data on commercial oil reserves in the US, which will be published this week with a delay due to the holidays.
“We can assume that WTI will trade around the $70 mark until Friday, when the late weekly report from the Energy Information Administration is released, which will set additional price targets,” Ritterbusch said in a research note.
On Wednesday, exchanges in the US, UK, Germany, France and other European countries, as well as Hong Kong, South Korea and Australia, are closed for Christmas. Many sites will remain closed on Thursday.
Happy New Year and Merry Christmas to our readers!
Happy winter holidays and good luck throughout the coming year.
May this year be better than the previous one, make dreams come true and succeed in future endeavors.
Let not only on these holidays, but also throughout the coming year, close and dear people will be near.
I wish you peace, confidence and happiness!
Thank you for staying with us
Editor Maksim Urakin
