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Ukraine's financial growth rate slows in May as Russia hits power sector

Ukraine's economic development rate slowed in May compared to the previous month of the year as Russia's bombardment of the power sector created an electrical energy deficit and led to blackouts throughout the country, officials and experts said on Wednesday.

The information suggested drone and rocket strikes on the power grid that began in March could obstruct Ukraine's vulnerable healing after the economy diminished by a third in the very first year of Russia's full-scale intrusion.

Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said gross domestic item grew by 3.7% year-on-year in May after federal government data showed GDP rising by 4.3% in April.

Svyrydenko said GDP grew by 4.3% from January to May compared to the very same period in 2015.

Growth was driven by exports and construction need. Industries such as metallurgy and equipment saw a healing, she said in a post on X.

Kyiv-based think tank IER stated in a research note that Russian aerial attacks on the power sector were one of the main factors for the downturn in financial growth.

Russian air strikes have knocked out about half of Ukraine's. power producing capacity considering that March and caused sweeping. blackouts for organizations and homeowners, Kyiv officials say.

As the power generation was harmed, electrical power products. for companies were restricted, stated the IER, adding that. business would in the future requirement to buy decentralized. electrical energy generation.

Another think tank, the Centre for Economic Research study, said. Ukraine's electricity imports in May had actually reached their highest. levels considering that Russia's full-blown intrusion in February 2022.

This month the deficit in the power system increased. even more, leading to Ukraine importing a record 25-27 gigawatt. hours daily, it said.

The power system was hobbled in the very first winter of the war. and the economy diminished by about a 3rd in 2022.

As services gotten used to wartime truths, GDP grew by. 5.3% in 2023. However since of Russian attacks on the power. sector, Ukraine was required to cut its development forecasts for this. year.

The reserve bank cut its forecast for GDP growth to 3% in. 2024 from 3.6% at first.

(source: Reuters)