Expert: Ukrainians face double losses during blackouts due to utility bills

Ukrainians today find themselves in a situation where they are robbed twice: first by high tariffs, and then by complete hopelessness, which forces them to spend their last money on necessities to survive without proper utilities. This opinion was expressed by Oleg Popenko, head of the Union of Consumers of Utilities, in his Telegram channel.

He noted that, in analyzing the current situation with paying bills during mass outages, the reality in many Ukrainian cities is catastrophic. Kyiv and other settlements are suffering from power outages, heating failures, and water shortages. However, even during prolonged outages of basic utilities, people are still billed as if the services are provided stably.

The expert emphasized that this situation is not only shocking but also absurd. Ukrainians live in cold apartments and are forced to support themselves financially by buying heaters, generators, and even medicine to survive, without regard for the conditions they are in.

Oleg Popenko emphasized the injustice of the existing system, which operates on the principle: “no light → there is a bill → debts and fines”. In his opinion, under normal conditions, the process should look different: “no service → no payment → there should be compensation”.

“This is not a war. This is irresponsibility and systemic injustice”, he emphasized.

Among the demands that the analyst puts forward to the government, he emphasizes the need to take specific measures to protect consumers, including the introduction of a mechanism for mandatory monetary compensation for the absence or inadequate quality of utility services. The expert also calls for the introduction of minimum quality standards and for significant fines for suppliers in the event of system failures.

“People cannot be hostages to emergency networks and the indifference of officials. Ukrainians pay for services; therefore, they have the right to receive them. And if there is no service, the state must compensate people for these costs,” summed up Oleg Popenko.

Earlier, it was reported on a possible reduction in electricity payments for certain categories of consumers, as well as on forecasts from weather forecasters about when Ukraine will first feel relief after the cold. In addition, Dr. Komarovsky offered advice on how to avoid winter illnesses.