Report: “We no longer have young people who could work”: in Ukraine, the economy of certain municipalities has almost come to a standstill because of the war

In some Ukrainian cities, social and economic life has been frozen since the beginning of the war. Young men are at the front, some are dead. An illustration in a town of 20,000 inhabitants, about fifty kilometers from kyiv.

In Ukraine, the war is hitting the country’s economy hard. According to IMF (International Monetary Fund) estimates, GDP is down about 20 points compared to the years of peace. It must be said that a large proportion of men of working age have been mobilized to the front, others are wounded, and several tens of thousands have died. Hlevakha, almost half of the men of working age were mobilized into the army.

In this town near kyiv, 36 portraits are hung to pay tribute to the soldiers of the commune who died for Ukraine in recent months. Victoria, first deputy mayor, speaks about some of them: “Genia was a very talented person. Many of her paintings are on display in our arts centre. This is a great loss for our community.”

She then points to Vitaly, “whom I knew personally, father of three children. When we had events in the town, he always helped us, he organized workshops for the children.” There is also a portrait of Igor, “known as a good carpenter, a builder who worked for the people, for the city, and for the common good, describes Victoria. None of them were professional soldiers. They all had a profession in civilian life.”

“Everyone contributed to the development not only of our community, but also of Ukraine.”

Victoria, Mayor of Hlevakha

to franceinfo

In this town of 20,000 people, life has been slow since the start of the war. Nearly half of the men of working age have been drafted into the army. “The municipal sector is suffering a lot at the moment. Water distribution, wastewater management, public heating, maintenance of green spaces, public buildings. In these areas, we have a real problem.”

The school is also facing this problem due to a shortage of teachers. The economic sector is facing the same difficulties, especially for SMEs in the municipality. David, who runs a cereal sowing company, normally employs 30 workers at the beginning of autumn to sort, clean and pack wheat or corn. But currently, “We only have 6 people who are between 65 and 70 years old, David laments. We no longer have young people who could work in our company and ensure the food security of our country. Fortunately, there are these retirees who work day and night to manage to send our production everywhere in Ukraine.”

After seeing his production fall by 40% during the first year of the war, David now manages to limit the economic damage thanks in particular to the work of retirees.