Heat suppliers' debt to the state exceeds UAH 153 billion: threat to the heating season

Threat to the winter period due to massive debt

Preparations for the new heating season in Ukraine are complicated by the unresolved problem of debt among heat supply enterprises. According to People's Deputy Kostyuk, who spoke in the plenary chamber of the Verkhovna Rada, the total debt of these enterprises to Naftogaz and other state structures has already exceeded UAH 153 billion.

The parliamentarian emphasised that due to court lawsuits and the blocking of bank accounts, enterprises are losing the ability to function normally. He noted that the issue, which has been attempted to be regulated since 2021, remains open, putting the stability of the heating season at risk.

Lack of government response due to air raid alert

During his speech, Kostyuk reported that a full hour of questions to the government did not take place due to the declaration of an air raid alert. Following this, representatives of the Cabinet of Ministers left the meeting hall, so deputies did not receive answers to key questions regarding winter preparations.

«На жаль, ми так і не отримали відповідь на одне з ключових питань: як ми переживемо опалювальний сезон. Питання, яке піднімав ще влітку цього року, піднімав багато разів, ще перед попереднім Кабміном, перед цим Кабміном» (Unfortunately, we still have not received an answer to one of the key questions: how we will survive the heating season. The issue, which I raised back in the summer of this year, raised many times, even before the previous Cabinet of Ministers, before this Cabinet of Ministers), the deputy noted.

Court lawsuits and freezing of funds

According to the people's representative, instead of a comprehensive solution to the problem, Naftogaz began actively suing heat supply companies. This leads to the blocking of their accounts, which limits the business activities of the enterprises.

«Нафтогаз під керівництвом пана Корецького почав судитися з цими організаціями, рахунки їхні блокуються, вони не можуть вести господарську діяльність, і ось у нас залишаються вже лічені дні до початку опалювального сезону. Цю проблему ніхто не вирішує» (Under the leadership of Mr. Koretskyi, Naftogaz has started suing these organisations, their accounts are being blocked, they cannot carry out business activities, and now we have only a few days left until the start of the heating season. No one is solving this problem), Kostyuk stated.

The deputy also criticised the government's position, which, in his opinion, shifts responsibility for compensating the difference in tariffs to local self-government bodies. He recalled that in the summer he raised this issue, addressing the then Minister of Energy, Denys Shmyhal.

«Він перекладає відповідальність всю на місцеві органи самоврядування, які нібито мали би покрити різницю в тарифах, які нібито мали би врятувати опалювальний сезон, нібито в них є кошти» (He shifts all the responsibility to local self-government bodies, which are supposedly supposed to cover the difference in tariffs, which are supposedly supposed to save the heating season, supposedly they have the funds), the parliamentarian noted.

At the same time, Kostyuk emphasised that accounts are blocked in the communities themselves. This prevents local authorities from financing current needs and preparing for winter.

«Вони зараз навіть не можуть заплатити гроші, щоб прибрати території своїх громад, не те що оплачувати рахунки за опалення» (They now cannot even pay money to clean the territories of their communities, let alone pay heating bills), the deputy added.

Issue unresolved since 2021

The parliamentarian reminded that in 2021, a memorandum was signed regarding the settlement of debt and tariff differences, but it did not work.

«Це питання, яке не вирішується з 2021 року, як держава фактично обманула регіональні теплопостачальні компанії цієї країни, зробила меморандум, який не працює, накопичились борги» (This is an issue that has not been resolved since 2021, how the state has effectively deceived the regional heat supply companies of this country, made a memorandum that does not work, debts have accumulated), Kostyuk said.

He also recalled that the Verkhovna Rada considered legislative proposals that could help resolve the situation, including an amendment that was not supported by the Committee on Energy. Previously, the head of the relevant committee explained that after the change of Prime Minister, the new head of the government, who has experience working in the energy sector, should regulate the situation.

However, no significant changes have occurred. Heat supply enterprises continue to report a critical state of affairs.

«Пройшло вже достатньо часу, питання зовсім не вирішується і до мене звертаються теплопостачальні компанії, звертається, зокрема, „Звягельтепло“ про те, що ситуація критична і в нас під загрозою опалювальний сезон» (Enough time has already passed, the issue is not being resolved at all, and heat supply companies are turning to me, specifically Zvyagelteplo, about the fact that the situation is critical and our heating season is at risk), the deputy concluded.

Thus, debt and account blocking remain a serious challenge ahead of winter. Statements about the causes of payment blocking and possible corruption risks require separate verification, and conclusions regarding the liability of officials must be based on established facts.

It was previously reported that the 2026–2027 heating season in Ukraine will not begin simultaneously in all regions. Specific dates will be determined by local authorities depending on weather conditions. The main benchmark is an average daily temperature of +8°C or lower for three consecutive days. Hospitals, kindergartens, schools and other social institutions may connect to heating earlier if necessary.