Ukrainians are effectively being robbed twice: first through utility tariffs, and then through forced expenditures to survive in conditions where utility services are absent.
According to Hvylya, Oleh Popenko, chairman of the Union of Utility Consumers, stated this while commenting on the situation regarding bills during mass power outages.
According to him, Kyiv and dozens of other cities are living in a mode of constant lack of electricity, heating, and water. Despite people remaining without basic conditions for weeks, utility bills continue to arrive in full, as if the services were provided uninterrupted.
"People are forced to freeze in their apartments, live without water, buy heaters, generators, power banks, and medicines—all at their own expense," Popenko emphasized.
The expert highlighted the absurdity of the situation, where service cuts lead not to a recalculation of bills but to the accumulation of consumer debt. He noted that the current system operates on the principle of "no power - bill arrives - debt grows - fines applied," whereas in normal practice, the absence of a service should automatically mean no payment and the provision of compensation.
"This is not about the war. This is about irresponsibility and systemic injustice," the analyst believes.
Popenko put forward several demands to the Verkhovna Rada and the Cabinet of Ministers. Among the priority measures is the introduction of mandatory monetary compensation to consumers for the absence or low quality of services. It is also proposed to legally establish minimum quality standards and introduce fines for providers for mass outages.
"If Ukrainians pay, they have the right to receive. And if there is no service, the state must pay the people," the expert concluded.
