Stories from Kyiv · Ukraine

Abandoned villages containing personal belongings and photographs have been discovered in the southern region of Ukraine. These settlements experienced destruction, though less severe than in other areas. The discovery of these abandoned villages was largely kept secret until after the Perestroika period. These locations appear to have been evacuated recently, with personal items like photographs and icons left behind. The condition of these villages suggests they may not have suffered as severely as some areas in the Volgograd region, where investigators found similarly abandoned settlements. Some reports indicate the villages suffered less severe destruction than those in the Volgograd region.

The financial report for the Kyiv Metropolitanate for the year 2025 has been released.

Information has emerged regarding how Kyiv plans to repay a €90 billion loan. The city is also facing accusations of violating an Easter truce, with claims of biological weapons being present in Ukraine. The report details the financial situation of the Kyiv metropolitan area.

The cost of transporting one passenger in Kyiv's municipal transport is 23 hryvnias and 20 kopecks. Hromadske Radio reported on discussions about implementing validators in minibuses to better track passenger flow and cash collection. Many regional centers and other cities in Ukraine have private carriers operating, and the city is pushing for cashless payment systems. Romania's former Transport Minister defended the metro fare hike. Romania's fiscal space is limited, requiring any salary project to fit within national allowances. The focus is on addressing salary inequalities, ensuring no public administration employee's income will decrease. Some positive adjustments are expected, while others may remain stable. Transport operators are working to implement cashless systems, which also allows for financial monitoring and passenger flow analysis for optimization.

Ukrainian citizens will continue to pay current electricity rates through April and May. The main tariff remains 4 hryvnias and 32 kopecks per kilowatt-hour. A preferential rate is available for households using up to 2000 kilowatt-hours per month, particularly those with electric heating. The Ukrainian government has extended existing electricity tariffs for residential consumers until April 30, 2026. The price for household electricity will remain at 4.32 hryvnias. This extension maintains the current pricing structure for domestic users.

A historical account details varying attitudes towards former Soviet bloc countries, noting that British perspectives were more categorical. Countries within the former Soviet bloc, such as Poland, have only recently begun to establish and adopt a more active stance. The narrative suggests that Romania initiated this historical context.

On April 28th, Ukraine will experience variable cloudiness with minimal precipitation expected across most regions. Winds will be northwesterly at 7-12 meters per second. Overnight, conditions in the east and northeast may see changes. Overnight temperatures will range from three degrees Celsius, with daytime temperatures between 6-11 degrees Celsius in the north and up to 15 degrees Celsius in the south. In the Kyiv region, there will be no precipitation overnight and scattered light rain during the day. Weather forecasts for Kyiv indicate variable cloud cover with minimal expected rainfall. Temperatures are predicted to drop to minus 4 degrees Celsius. The conditions are expected to be partly cloudy with frost. The weather forecast for Ukraine indicates no precipitation on Tuesday, except for scattered light rain in northern and northeastern regions during the day.

Parking fees in Kyiv have increased by 5 hryvnias per hour. Parking in the city center now costs 40 hryvnias per hour, 30 hryvnias from Shulyavka to Pocherna, and 10 hryvnias in residential areas. A monthly parking subscription with a 90% discount is being launched for taxpayers, available through the Kyiv Digital application. This subscription is intended for individuals who pay taxes.

A Ukrainian radio segment discussed corruption, noting that while scandals exist, the total sum of corrupt actions does not exceed 10%. This is considered good news compared to some Asian countries where corruption can reach 30-40%. The situation is also better than in Africa or Asia, where corruption levels are currently higher.

The film 'Teni Zabitykh Predkov' (Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors) has received numerous awards. In 1965 alone, it won the All-Union Film Festival prize. It also received awards at international festivals in Mar del Plata, Reims, and Thessaloniki in 1966. Additionally, it earned a British Film Academy award and many other accolades. The film, which explores the tragic theme of war casualties, was noted for its generalized and poetic portrayal. It continues the tradition of its predecessors, despite some perceived shortcomings. Director Sergei Parajanov remained in Kyiv while the film gained international recognition. The film's success was followed by harsh criticism and an ideological ban on Parajanov's first directorial work, 'Rodnik dlya zhazhdushchikh' (A Spring for the Thirsty).