Darya Fomina

Darya Fomina

Economy and Finance Columnist
2658 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

Man in white shirt anxiously refueling his car at a gas station, symbolizing the fuel crisis and surge in fuel thefts in the UK amid tensions with Iran

Gasoline Crisis: Explosive Rise in Fuel Theft in the UK Amidst War with Iran

Economy 08/07/2026, 07:01
🇬🇧 Explosive rise in fuel theft in the UK: drivers steal £194k daily. 📉 After the war with Iran began, the number of incidents rose by 20%, and the cost of stolen fuel by 48%. Gas station owners are losing tens of thousands of pounds, and surveillance cameras no longer deter offenders. In Ukraine, the AMCU is investigating collusion among gas station chains amidst rising prices. ⛽️ Experts predict a rise in gas prices in August.
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Two women examine documents and papers at a kitchen table, discussing the 2026 pension reform and new rules for crediting work experience.

Pension Reform 2026: New rules for crediting service record and document collection take effect from August 2

Economy 08/07/2026, 06:40
🇺🇦 From August 2, 2026, pension appointment rules in Ukraine are changing. Now the Pension Fund will collect documents itself, and service record may be credited even if the employer has debts. 📋 What will change: ✅ The Pension Fund will take data from state registries — fewer certificates required. ✅ Service record will be credited if the employer submitted reports but did not pay USC (provided the minimum contribution was accrued). ✅ In 2026: 33 years of service for retirement at 60, 23 years at 63, 15 years at 65. ⚠️ Important: such periods will help you retire, but will not increase the payment amount. 📅 In 2027–2028, service record requirements will increase. #Pension2026 #Ukraine #PFU #SocialProtection #UkraineNews
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Oil pipelines with shut-off valves lead to a petrochemical plant — symbolizing logistics issues and attacks on refineries in Russia

Oil Dead End: Russia Cannot Hold July Production Record Due to Refinery Attacks and Tanker Shortage

Economy 08/06/2026, 21:21
🛢️ Russia will not be able to maintain the July growth in oil production in August 2026. 📉 Despite a rise of 100,000 barrels in July, new attacks on refineries (Yaroslavl, Ryazan) and a shortage of tankers in the Black Sea will force a reduction in production. 🇺🇦 The SBU confirmed strikes on "Slavneft-YANOS" deep inside Russian territory. Export plans are at risk of failure.
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Man and woman anxiously reviewing payment documents for occupied property to avoid fines in 2026

Erroneous bills for occupied property: how to avoid debts and fines in 2026

Economy 08/06/2026, 20:21
🚨 Erroneous bills for occupied property: what to do? If you received a bill for destroyed or occupied property, you cannot ignore it! After 60 days, it will become a debt with fines and penalties. 📉 Fines: 5-10% of the debt amount. ⚖️ Risks: Property seizure and forced collection through the court. ✅ How to fix it: 1. Do not wait for court. 2. Log in to the STS Electronic Cabinet. 3. Submit an application for data reconciliation in the "Correspondence" menu. 4. Do this within 60 days of receiving the notification. Do not pay for air, but do not ignore the tax service!
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Handing over house keys: a symbol of property ownership change in the context of Ukraine's tax reform

Real Estate Tax Reform in Ukraine: Why the Area-Based System Fails and What Awaits Owners in 2026

Economy 08/06/2026, 19:29
🏠 In 2026, the real estate tax in Ukraine brings only 2.2% of all revenue to local budgets. 6.1 billion UAH was collected in 6 months. ⚖️ Why the system doesn't work? The current model takes into account only the area, not the cost. An apartment owner in the center and in a village pays the same for "extra" meters. This is recognized as unfair even in the Verkhovna Rada. 📉 Reform is overdue The transition to assessment by market value was planned for 2024–2025, but the key Cabinet of Ministers resolution has not been adopted. The State Property Fund admits the delay. 🔮 What will happen next? The new model is supposed to appear by 2027–2028, but deadlines are under threat. Owners of elite housing should prepare for a tax increase if the reform does take place.
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Buckwheat, tomatoes, cucumbers and a receipt with barcode on crumpled paper background — illustration for news about new food prices in Ukrainian supermarkets

New prices in Ukrainian supermarkets: who offers the cheapest buckwheat, eggs, and oil

Economy 08/06/2026, 17:35
🛒 **Price update in Ukrainian supermarkets (August 6)** RBK-Ukraine conducted a price monitoring of staple products. Here are the leaders: 🥣 **Buckwheat:** The Silpo chain offers the most favorable option for the second day in a row. 🥚 **Eggs:** Auchan wins when buying individually, Silpo and ATB — for packaged cartons. 🌻 **Oil:** Silpo launched a promotion on "Premia", but Auchan holds the lowest price threshold. 🍞 **Bread:** The cheapest sliced bread is in Silpo. 📦 **Online:** Novus offers favorable prices on large packages (900 g) for online orders. #Silpo #Auchan #Novus #Prices #Food #Ukraine
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Children with raised hands in front of solar panels, symbolizing hope and a future powered by solar energy from Kernel for frontline regions of Ukraine

Solar energy for communities: how Kernel is creating energy independence for Ukraine's frontline regions

Economy 08/06/2026, 17:31
🌞 Agricultural holding Kernel has launched the "Solar Energy for Communities" project, providing autonomy for schools and hospitals in frontline regions. 📍 In the Sumy, Chernihiv, and Poltava regions, 7 solar power plants with a capacity of 345 kW have been put into operation. 💡 The stations provide backup power for schools, kindergartens, and hospitals, allowing them to operate during power outages. 💰 The project aims to raise up to €2.5 million to develop solar generation in 17 regions of Ukraine. 📉 This is not only assistance during the winter period but also a strategy for long-term energy independence, reducing dependence on diesel generators.
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Preparing summer borscht in a jar: beetroot slicing and canning in glass jars

Summer Borscht in a Jar: How to Preserve the Season's Flavor and Save Time in Winter

Health 08/06/2026, 15:31
🍲 How to prepare borscht seasoning for winter: a simple recipe from blogger Ptashka Nadia. Summer is the ideal time to preserve the taste of fresh vegetables in jars. A stylish and quick way to save time in winter is to make a seasoning from beets, carrots, onions, and tomatoes. 🥕 Recipe Secrets: — Tomatoes are ground in a meat grinder. — Vegetables are cooked with oil and spices. — The finished mass is sterilized and stored all winter. In winter, it is enough to cook a broth, add potatoes and cabbage, and then — a jar of aromatic seasoning. Borscht is ready! 🥣 #recipes #preserves #borscht #cooking #autumn2024
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Destroyed warehouse complex in Ukraine after an attack: consequences for logistics and price hikes

Economic blow: why the destruction of warehouses in Ukraine will lead to price hikes and how this differs from the 2022 crisis

Economy 08/06/2026, 13:57
🔥 Destruction of warehouses in Ukraine: why this is not the 2022 crisis and what it threatens the economy with? Experts warn: the comparison with the fuel crisis is erroneous. The aggressor is physically destroying infrastructure, not just blocking supply channels. 📉 What is happening: • Kharkiv and Sumy risk becoming "energy islands" due to the destruction of gas stations. • Goods worth tens of millions of dollars have been burnt (Rozetka, Amtel warehouses). • Who pays? No one. There is no insurance for war risks, state compensation is symbolic. 💸 Result: Prices will rise by 10–15%. Businesses are forced to pass losses on to buyers. #Ukraine #Economy #Logistics #War #PriceHikes
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