Darya Fomina

Darya Fomina

Economy and Finance Columnist
2660 articles
Economics and FinanceExchange Rates and PricesConsumer MarketSociety and Fashion

Covers economic topics at XAB.info. She received her higher education at a polytechnic university with a degree related to accounting, so she treats numbers without enthusiasm or panic: first the report and methodology, then the conclusions.

She writes about exchange rates, prices, taxes, banks, and how government and corporate decisions affect the average person's wallet. She is also interested in society, fashion, and consumer habits — how economics looks in everyday life.

Articles

Rolled-up US dollar and euro banknotes, symbolizing currency reserves and devaluation risks in the context of NBU lifting restrictions

Currency Thaw: NBU Lifts Restrictions, but the Price of Freedom is Reserves and Devaluation Risks

Economy 08/13/2026, 09:34
🇺🇦 NBU introduces a currency thaw: restrictions on capital movement are eased starting August 11, 2026. 💰 Price of freedom: The NBU is ready to spend reserves ($4.76 billion in July) to contain devaluation. 📉 Forecast: Liberalization could add $0.3–0.6 billion in monthly demand and weaken the hryvnia by 1.5–3.5%. ⚠️ The IMF recommends caution, despite supporting a flexible exchange rate. #Ukraine #NBU #Currency #Economy #Hryvnia
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Facade of Pivdennyi Bank office with logo and 'bank' inscription, reflecting stability and credit growth in 2026

Pivdenny Bank in 2026: Record growth in lending and currency operations amidst market stagnation

Economy 08/13/2026, 09:08
🏦 Pivdenny Bank has published the results for the first half of 2026, showing figures that significantly exceed market averages. 📈 Business lending grew by 19% (vs. 12% market average), while corporate deposits increased by 6% against a general market decline. 💵 Currency record: the volume of forex operations exceeded $1 billion for the first time in a single month. The bank actively supports the defense industry. 🇺🇦 The financial institution confirms its status as one of the leaders of the Ukrainian market with private capital.
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Blue tram on a street in Vinnytsia against the backdrop of historic buildings, illustrating the rise in real estate prices in August 2026

Vinnitsa Real Estate Market in August 2026: Housing Prices Reach New Highs

Economy 08/13/2026, 08:17
🏠 Vinnitsa Real Estate Market in August 2026: Housing Prices Reach New Highs. 📈 One-bedroom apartments on the secondary market average $56,000. This segment saw the strongest growth over six months. 🏢 In new developments, there is a price boom in the business class; the comfort class rose by 4%. 🏦 Rent for a one-bedroom apartment starts from 15,000 UAH. Housing consumes up to 68% of a family's budget. 🔍 Developers offer installment plans and "єОселя" programs, but demand remains high. Prices in Kyiv are even higher, and rent in Uzhhorod is the most expensive in the country.
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Elderly woman carefully reviews documents about the one-time payment for Independence Day 2026, checking eligibility and whether it can be used to pay utility bills

One-time payment for Independence Day 2026: who is eligible for the funds and can they be used to pay utility bills

Economy 08/13/2026, 07:26
💰 One-time payment for Independence Day 2026: who is eligible for the funds and can they be used to pay utility bills? ✅ The payment is due to participants in combat operations, veterans, persons with disabilities, orphans, and low-income pensioners. ✅ The payment amount is 2000 hryvnias. ✅ A lawyer confirmed: money can be spent on any needs, including paying utility bills. ✅ You can submit an application through the «Dія» portal or in person at the PFU. ⏳ Deadline for submission — until August 20, 2026. #IndependenceDay #Payment2026 #PFU #SocialSupport
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A woman holds a house-shaped key, symbolizing the choice between a mortgage and renting in 2026.

Mortgage or Rent: Why Equal Payments Don't Guarantee Profit and How to Avoid Debt Traps in 2026

Economy 08/13/2026, 07:10
🏠 Mortgage or Rent: What is more profitable in 2026? Expert Taras Kozak warns: equality of mortgage and rent payments does not guarantee the profitability of buying. 🔹 Main mistake: lack of money for repairs and furniture. 🔹 30% Rule: do not spend more than a third of your income on housing. 🔹 Financial cushion: critically important for stability. Preferential mortgage is an exception, but commercial rates can lead to overpayment several times over. Before buying, answer 3 questions from the expert. #realestate #mortgage #finance #ukraine2026
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Senior woman reviewing documents about pension increase in 2026

Pensioners with special merits will receive an increase of up to 40%: who and how much they will receive in 2026

Economy 08/13/2026, 06:38
🇺🇦 In Ukraine, mothers of many children can receive a pension increase of up to 40%! In 2026, the subsistence minimum for non-working persons is 2595 UAH. The supplement for moms with 5+ children is from 908 UAH (35%). 📌 Important: the payment is independent of indexation and is recalculated automatically. 👇 Read details about the new rules in our article.
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Entrepreneur analyzing tax documents and receipts at a desk with laptop and calculator — illustration for 'White Business Club' topic and tax benefits for compliant taxpayers

The White Business Club: How to enter the list of conscientious taxpayers and receive tax preferences

Economy 08/13/2026, 00:57
🇺🇦 **White Business Club: new rules of the game in 2026** The Ukrainian Tax Service has moved to a new control model: now not only the absence of violations is assessed, but also the behavior of the business as a whole. You can get on the list of conscientious taxpayers (LCT) automatically if the company's indicators are higher than the industry average. 📉 **What does the status give?** ✅ Fewer tax inspections. ✅ Fast VAT refund (critical for exporters). ✅ Personal compliance manager from the STS. ✅ Early warning about risks. ⚠️ **Important:** The status does not provide tax holidays and does not automatically write off debts. The presence of arrears, as a rule, blocks entry to the list. #Taxes #BusinessUkraine #VAT #STS
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Sean Penn on the set of a political thriller about the sabotage of the 'Nord Stream' in Zagreb

Sean Penn and Adrien Brody in Zagreb: Filming a Political Thriller about the Nord Stream Sabotage

Culture 08/12/2026, 23:40
🎬 Filming of the political thriller "Snake Island" with Sean Penn and Adrien Brody is underway in Zagreb! 🇺🇦🇺🇸 🔥 Director Doug Liman is shooting a story about the sabotage of "Nord Stream". 📍 Barricades, military equipment, and actors in Ukrainian uniforms on the streets of Zagreb. 🏆 Both actors are active supporters of Ukraine. Penn even skipped the "Oscars" for a trip to Kyiv in March 2026. 📅 The premiere date has not yet been announced, but the film has already become a sensation. #SnakeIsland #SeanPenn #AdrienBrody #DougLiman #CinemaNews #UkraineSupport #FilmProduction
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Woman looking out the window of an empty apartment with boxes, contemplating the choice between renting and buying a home in 2026

Rent vs. Buy: Why Renting Housing May Be More Profitable Than a Mortgage in 2026

Economy 08/12/2026, 23:05
🏠 Rent or Buy: What Is More Profitable in 2026? Real estate experts note that under current conditions, renting may be financially more rational than a mortgage. Taras Kozak, founder of the "UNIVER" group, identified three key factors: 🔹 Mobility: Frequent moves or changes in family composition make buying risky. 🔹 Investments: If the return on capital is higher than the cost of rent, it is more profitable to rent. 🔹 Hidden Costs: Repairs and furniture can make buying more expensive than renting. However, buying remains relevant for those who plan to live in one place for many years, or in the event of a sharp drop in market prices. #realestate #rent #mortgage #finance2026
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Technician installing inverters at a solar power plant in Ukraine, illustrating the business shift from survival to a long-term energy independence strategy for 2026.

From Survival to Strategy: Why Ukrainian Business is Changing Energy Priorities for 2026

Economy 08/12/2026, 21:55
🔋 Ukrainian business is changing strategy: Energy Storage systems now make up 65% of orders, overtaking solar panels. 📉 D.Solutions experts note a 20% annual growth in demand for energy equipment. 🚀 Key trend of 2026: Transition from "winter survival" to long-term planning for 3–5 years. 💰 Accumulators allow not only surviving outages but also earning on electricity arbitrage. 🛠 YASNO recommends: SPP + Accumulators + Generators = the ideal formula for energy security. 📊 An energy audit is mandatory before purchase for accurate power calculation. #YASNO #EnergyStorage #Ukraine #Business #Energy #D_Solutions
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Destroyed warehouse complex with smoke and a burnt truck, aftermath of the attack on Fozzy Group and Novus logistics infrastructure

Logistical Collapse: How Strikes on Fozzy Group and Novus Warehouses Led to Shortages on Ukrainian Store Shelves

Economy 08/12/2026, 21:22
🔥 Logistical Collapse in Ukraine: Strikes on Fozzy Group and Novus warehouses led to product shortages. After August 5, 2026, milk and cigarettes disappeared from "Silpo" and "Fozzy" stores. 100,000 sq. m of warehouses were destroyed in the Kyiv region. Manufacturers (Danone, JTI) are struggling to restructure logistics. #Ukraine #Logistics #Shortage #FozzyGroup #Novus
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