Popenko warned: gas tariffs could rise radically.

Ukrainians are facing an increase in utility tariffs, which could lead to impoverishment

Energy expert Oleg Popenko predicts that Ukrainians are facing significant increases in utility tariffs that could affect the standard of living.

According to the expert, the situation in the energy sector and the country's infrastructure will lead to a reassessment of tariff policy.

'If we currently pay an average of 7 hryvnias and 96 kopecks for gas, the market price of gas is now 32 hryvnias. By the way, Moldova pays 32 hryvnias for gas. So we are currently paying 8, we will pay 32,' - said Popenko.

A similar situation is observed with electricity tariffs. The cost of electricity in Ukraine is currently 4 hryvnias and 32 kopecks, while the market price exceeds 10 hryvnias in some regions.

The expert warns that increasing tariffs will lead to the impoverishment of the Ukrainian population. He also noted that changes in the ownership structure of gas extraction companies could lead to the exclusion of the social component of tariff policy.

'Now, a conditional oligarch, extracting gas, is in a condition where the government, in one way or another, cares about the voter. What does it mean to care about the voter? A person in power thinks: 'I won't raise the tariff too much because the voter must vote for me'. But any foreign company that comes will be indifferent to this voter. They will come and say: 'Guys, I will sell you gas for 32, at the market price'. And we will be forced to buy it,' - explained the expert.

Popenko also points out that in some cantons of Switzerland, where the standard of living is high, the cost of electricity is lower than in Ukraine, which refutes the myth about the necessity of increasing tariffs for the modernization of the utility sector.

'I found out that in Switzerland, in one of the cantons, where some of the highest salaries are, the cost of electricity is cheaper than in Ukraine. Cheaper in a canton in Switzerland where the salary is 4500 euros a month,' - the expert cited as an example.

Popenko emphasizes that Ukrainians have been misled by explanations about the need to increase tariffs. He asserts that high tariffs are not a solution to the problem.

Currently, the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine has not commented on the possible rise in tariffs, but experts confirm that the issue of the disparity between market and regulated prices needs to be addressed.