In 2026, Russia significantly intensified its attacks on Ukrnafta’s facilities. Production infrastructure and the network of gas stations are under attack.
The company is responding to this in a systematic manner and, despite everything, continues to grow. Bogdan Kukura, Chairman of the Board of JSC “Ukrnafta,” spoke about this on the sidelines of the Newfolk Conference.
“This year, we are allocating approximately 2.9 billion UAH to defense and security: we are relocating some facilities underground, constructing protective structures, building up equipment reserves, and strengthening our autonomy and alternative power supply schemes,” noted Bohdan Kukura. “We are continuing drilling operations. In 2026, we plan to drill and commission 15 new wells. Another area of focus is our cooperation with Ukrgazvydobuvannya: this year, we have jointly completed three new wells.”
At the same time, we are scaling up technologies that improve the reliability of our well fleet. Over the past eight months, 63 electric centrifugal pump units have been installed in wells, bringing the active fleet to 226 units. The interval between well maintenance for wells equipped with modern electric centrifugal pumps has increased from 214 days in 2024 to 410 days in 2026, and for new systems, it reaches 786 days.
The company is developing remote monitoring and control of wells. As of September, 420 wells were connected to such systems. This allows for real-time monitoring of operating parameters, faster response times, and prompt adjustments to operating modes.
The main objective is to maintain operational control, modernize production, and continue the company’s development.JSC “Ukrnafta” is Ukraine’s largest oil producer and operates the country’s largest national network of gas stations—UKRNAFTA. In 2024, the company entered into an asset management agreement with Glusco. In 2025, it finalized a deal with Shell Overseas Investments BV to acquire the Shell network in Ukraine. In total, it operates approximately 650 gas stations.
The company is implementing a comprehensive program to restore operations and modernize the format of the gas stations in its network. Since February 2023, it has been issuing its own fuel vouchers and “NAFTACard” cards, which are sold to legal entities and individuals through Ukrnafta-Postach LLC.
The largest shareholder of “Ukrnafta” is NJSC “Naftogaz of Ukraine,” with a stake of 50% plus one share.In November 2022, the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine decided to transfer to the state the portion of the company’s corporate rights that belonged to private owners; this portion is now managed by the Ministry of Defense.
Ukrainian steelmakers reduced pig iron production by 22.9% in January–September of this year compared to the same period last year, down to 4.463 million metric tons.
According to information released Friday by the “Ukrmetallurgprom” association, 113,000 metric tons of pig iron were produced in September, 257,100 metric tons in August, 432,200 metric tons in July, 670,600 metric tons in June, in May—634,400 metric tons, in April—554,000 metric tons, in March—690,200 metric tons, in February—561,900 metric tons, and in January—549,900 metric tons.
In 2025, Ukraine’s steel companies increased pig iron production by 11.2% compared to 2024, reaching 7.884 million metric tons.
In 2024, Ukraine increased pig iron production by 18.1% compared to 2023, reaching 7.090 million metric tons. In 2023, pig iron production fell by 6.1% to 6.003 million metric tons, and in 2022, it fell by 69.8% to 6.391 million metric tons.
In 2021, before the war, 21.165 million metric tons of pig iron were produced, or 103.6% of the 2020 level.
According to preliminary data, Ukrainian steelmakers reduced their production of total rolled steel by 23% in January–September of this year compared to the same period last year, down to 3.729 million metric tons.
According to information released Friday by the “Ukrmetallurgprom” association, 137,000 metric tons of rolled steel were produced in September, 269,500 metric tons in August, 382,700 metric tons in July, 599,800 metric tons in June, in May—537,800 metric tons, in April—460,800 metric tons, in March—544,500 metric tons, in February—390,300 metric tons, and in January—406,400 metric tons.
In 2025, Ukraine’s steel companies increased their production of general-purpose rolled steel by 4.8% compared to 2024, reaching 6.521 million metric tons.
In 2024, Ukraine increased its production of general-purpose rolled steel by 15.8% compared to 2023—to 6.222 million metric tons from 5.372 million metric tons. In 2023, total rolled steel production rose by 0.4% to 5.372 million metric tons, while in 2022 it fell by 72% to 5.350 million metric tons.
In 2021, before the war, 19.079 million metric tons of rolled steel were produced, or 103.5% of the 2020 level.
METALLURGY, PRODUCTION, ROLLED STEEL, UKRAINE, UKRMETALLURGPROM
Ukrainian steelmakers reduced steel production by 19.8% in January–September of this year compared to the same period last year, down to 4.431 million metric tons.
According to information released Friday by the “Ukrmetallurgprom” association, 131,000 metric tons of steel were produced in September, 277,000 metric tons in August, 457,000 metric tons in July, 690,800 metric tons in June, in May—629,400 metric tons, in April—517,300 metric tons, in March—702,300 metric tons, in February—515,000 metric tons, and in January—511,100 metric tons.
In 2025, Ukraine’s steel mills reduced steel production by 2.2% compared to 2024, to 7.409 million metric tons.
In 2024, Ukraine increased steel production by 21.6% compared to 2023, to 7.575 million metric tons. In 2023, steel production fell by 0.6% to 6.228 million metric tons, and in 2022, it fell by 70.7% to 6.263 million metric tons.
In 2021, before the war, 21.366 million metric tons of steel were produced, or 103.6% of the 2020 level.
As a result of an enemy attack, the Kusum pharmaceutical plant in Sumy was destroyed, and one employee was killed.
“This morning, the production facility of the Kusum pharmaceutical company in Sumy was destroyed as a result of an enemy attack. Unfortunately, the attack claimed the life of company employee Yevgeny Vladimirovich Miroshnichenko, who had worked in the plant’s engineering department since 2009. ‘Kusum’ extends its sincere condolences to his family and loved ones,” the company stated on its website.
The company reports that ‘Kusum’ continues to operate.
” In addition to its production facilities in Ukraine, the company has manufacturing sites in India—in Indore and Bhiwadi. “This will allow us, in the absence of artificial regulatory barriers, to restructure our processes and work to ensure uninterrupted supplies of medicines to Ukraine,” the pharmaceutical company stated.
Over the past 25 years, China has increased its share of global automobile production approximately ninefold—from 4% in 2000 to 36% in 2025—transforming itself from a relatively small manufacturer into the world’s largest automotive hub. This was reported by the Experts Club information and analytical center, citing a study by the consulting firm Strategy Partners.
According to analysts’ estimates, around 2 million vehicles were produced in China in 2000, while by 2025 production exceeded 34 million vehicles per year. Thus, over a quarter of a century, the volume of Chinese automobile production increased approximately 17-fold.
China’s position strengthened particularly rapidly after 2010. The country not only formed the world’s largest domestic automobile market, but also created a large-scale manufacturing base covering virtually the entire value chain — from components and batteries to vehicle manufacturing and software.
One of the main factors behind the further growth of China’s automotive industry was the transition to electric vehicles and hybrid models. Chinese manufacturers gained strong positions in the new energy vehicle segment — NEV, which includes fully electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids.
At the same time, Chinese companies are actively increasing their presence abroad. China has become the world’s largest automobile exporter, while local manufacturers are expanding sales and creating their own production capacities in Europe, Asia, Latin America and other regions.
As a result, the structure of the global automobile market has also changed. While in the early 2000s it was shaped primarily by manufacturers from the United States, Japan and Western Europe, by the mid-2020s China had become the industry’s largest individual manufacturing hub.
The growth of China’s automotive industry is accompanied by the strengthening of its own national brands. BYD, Geely, Chery, SAIC, Great Wall Motor and other manufacturers are increasingly competing with European, American, Japanese and South Korean automotive groups not only in China’s domestic market but also in export markets.
China’s own battery manufacturing base has become a significant competitive advantage. Chinese companies hold leading positions in the global production of traction batteries, while the country controls a significant share of global production chains related to raw material processing and the manufacture of components for electric vehicles.
According to Strategy Partners, the transformation of China’s automotive industry demonstrates the country’s transition from a model of catching-up industrial development to technological leadership in certain segments of the industry.
If current trends continue, competition between Chinese and traditional global automakers will increasingly shift into the areas of electric vehicles, battery technologies, software, autonomous driving and production costs.
auto industry, AUTOMOBILE, CHINA, Electric vehicle, PRODUCTION
