The number of unpaid utility bills in Ukraine is rising at an alarming rate. As of September 2025, more than 788,000 enforcement proceedings have been registered, with total debt exceeding a record ₴106 billion. The highest concentration of debtors is found in frontline regions such as Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, and Donetsk, according to data from the Unified Debtors Registry.
“The total number of proceedings has increased by 13% in just two months, and more than doubled compared to the pre-war period,” — reports Humanitarian Media Hub, citing OpenDataBot.
Ukrainians most frequently fall behind on payments for heating and water supply. Debts for heating alone account for over 330,000 cases, representing 42% of all proceedings. Water bills come next, followed by housing maintenance, electricity, and gas. The largest share of debt belongs to individuals aged 46–60, though significant numbers are also seen among those aged 36–45 and over 60.
Since the start of the full-scale war, the number of debtors has grown by 1.5 times. This trend reflects not only economic instability but also a deeper systemic crisis in the utility sector. Experts warn that without a comprehensive approach to debt restructuring and household support, the situation may spiral out of control.
