An entrepreneur spoke about a deep crisis facing businesses in Kyiv

Private business in Kyiv is going through its worst period of the war, and many entrepreneurs are shutting down.

This was said in a video address by a businessman who works in decorative plastering.

“I was just driving along Khotkevycha—an auto lot has closed. I talk to friends, acquaintances, partners, and everyone has an unreal slump that nobody was prepared for. Some expected it would be difficult, but this difficult?! And the situation is tough in every sector,” the businessman said.

According to him, at the start of the war many businesses also took a hit, but some managed to hold on—especially in construction and repairs—because there were fewer workers and demand exceeded supply. Some even had an overabundance of orders.

“But since 2026, the power outages are a complete catastrophe. And this is Kyiv,” he noted.

In his view, only businesses in the energy-related sector are doing relatively well, since residents are buying stoves, gas canisters, and similar items. But there are very few such niches; for most businesses the situation is “very bleak.”

“I keep asking myself: what were we working toward? what have we ended up with? where are we going? Because now I see we’re heading toward разрушение (ruin). Many said investment would start pouring in. But there is no investment! Americans won’t pour money in here yet. The financial flow is shrinking, and so is our purchasing power,” the man said.

Earlier, restaurateur and MasterChef finalist Anastasiia Zavadska said that eateries in Kyiv are closing en masse because blackouts have led to a lack of heating and water supply.