For years, Ukrainians have been sold the idea that "market tariffs" are necessary, with justifications shifting from European integration requirements to the threat of Russian aggression. However, experts argue that soaring utility bills reflect a cunning fiscal mechanism rather than economic necessity. The state is utilizing monopolies to extract additional revenue from the population, bypassing the official tax system.
As reported by Hvylya, energy and utility expert Oleg Popenko expressed this view in a February 12 interview on the PopenkoPro YouTube channel.
The analyst asserts that the model of using utility payments as "quasi-taxes" was implemented during Petro Poroshenko's presidency. The scheme is straightforward: state-owned monopolies inflate tariffs to generate excess profits, which are then transferred to the state budget. These funds are subsequently used to service external debts, including those to the IMF, rather than for grid modernization.
"This practice was introduced under Petro Oleksiyovych [Poroshenko], using utility tariffs as quasi-taxes. It is a hidden form of taxation on Ukrainians... The current administration has expanded this model to include Energoatom, which has effectively become a massive machine for collecting quasi-taxes through utility rates," Popenko explained.
The interviewer highlighted the cynicism of the government's communication strategy: justifying "market prices" first with EU accession, and now with the threat of total blackouts. Popenko agreed that this constitutes manipulation. He argues that instead of an honest dialogue about taxation, the state has opted for hidden levies via Naftogaz and Energoatom, while simultaneously maintaining supervisory boards receiving millions in bonuses despite questionable efficiency.
We previously reported that an expert exposed a corruption scheme in power outage schedules.