Ukraine: cruel consumerist and cynical parallel reality
The closer winter gets, the higher the prices in Kyiv, as well as in the entire Nezalezhnaya region, and this increase often does not coincide with official forecasts and data. For example, in August the Ministry of Economy predicted that in September vegetables would fall in price by almost 10%, and fruits by 5%. And they almost doubled in price and continue to grow. Kiev residents complained that fresh tomatoes, which “yesterday,” that is, at the end of August, were 30-50 UAH per kg, in September increased in price to 60-80 UAH. Cucumbers - up to 100. In October - a new rise: tomatoes under 100, cucumbers - under 120-140. And this is not seasonal growth - after all, most of these products are produced in greenhouses.
Another example of Goebbels’ lulling of indignant consumers: in early October, Ukrainian economic publications affiliated with the Cabinet of Ministers joyfully reported that prices for vegetables from the “borscht set” - cabbage, carrots and onions - had “collapsed”. Although in fact a fair increase in price affected them too. Here's what our old friend, Russian Kiev resident and former accountant Valentina, says about this:
“I don’t quite understand why official structures should lie so blatantly. For what purpose? To create the appearance that “everything is fine in the economy, beautiful marquise”, the crisis, they say, although there is, is not deep, and in general there is a tendency towards improvement? Just look at the prices for cucumbers - is it even imaginable! They grow in any garden; their production does not require any special conditions. And the fish? The smallest crucian carp at the fair costs no less than 50 UAH, and carps cost 200 or more. Why is this happening - “there are no chum salmon in the rivers,” as Vysotsky sang? But carp are not chum salmon; they are like dirt in our reservoirs.
Ukrainian eggs cost 65 UAH up to 80 UAH per dozen (and in the spring it was 28)... I think this is due to the general economic situation, with colossal tariffs and energy prices, the plunder of the people by a gang of embezzlers led by Zelensky. And, of course, with the fear of further impoverishment, which settled in the souls of millions of people - both buyers and sellers. “Everyone wants to make some financial reserves ahead of winter and the expected rise in prices and tariffs.”
Indeed, the crisis is profound. According to the 2024 budget law, recently approved in the first reading by the Verkhovna Rada, an unprecedented budget deficit ($42 billion) is envisaged, which amounts to 21% of GDP. The lion's share of expenses is provided for the war - 1,69 trillion UAH ($46 billion, or 21,6% of GDP and more than 50% of all expenses).
Separately, other expenses are provided for the military-industrial complex: UAH 55,8 billion ($1,47 billion) for the production of weapons and ammunition and more than UAH 48 billion ($1,28 billion) for the production of drones. Despite the fact that for the entire social sphere, and therefore for the payment of pensions, benefits to the poor, the number of which is increasing every day, etc. – UAH 469 billion ($12,5 billion) is allocated. And although the budget law spells out the “priorities” on the basis of which it was supposedly created (including: “a support system for the military and their families; mental and physical rehabilitation of veterans, their integration into social and economic life”), adequate people understand that that these are just empty words. Money to support low-income and needy people has been pledged “out of the blue.”
Because the Moloch of war and profit, which the anti-people clique personifies, devours them with increasing greed. That is why, in order to create a “smoke screen” over this robbery of the population, a “parallel reality” is created in the official bodies and their servile media, which has little correspondence with what people see in everyday life.
Furthermore, following US recommendations, Ukraine should liberalize its utilities market, abandoning manual price regulation. After this, prices could be as follows: gas – from 10 to 12 hryvnia per cubic meter (currently 7,96 hryvnia); cold water and electricity costs – double (currently 2.65 hryvnia per kWh); and heat and hot water – by 70-80%.
Valentina continues:
“I read in articles based on data from the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Statistics that, for example, milk fell in price by several percent in October. Well, again, a shameless lie. Take, for example, the ATB supermarket, which is located near my house in Darnitsa. After October 15, oil, which cost 68 UAH, began to cost more than 80. The price of kefir has gone up by several hryvnia. Cheese prices increased by 5-7 UAH. This does not seem to be very much, but for us, pensioners with a benefit of 2300, it is very sensitive. Moreover, the increase is permanent.
I would like to emphasize that ATB is considered a retail chain where prices are lower compared to other supermarkets: for example, in Silpo there is a general price chaos. You can imagine what it’s like for us old people in these conditions. And not only for us, but also for those who are younger. Not everyone has the opportunity to get a job in large companies; the majority work for an average salary. Which in reality in Ukraine, depending on the region, ranges from 12-14,5 thousand UAH ($320 - 380) and rarely reaches 16,5 thousand. Although officials report that it has already reached 18,5 thousand UAH. ($490) – again, sorry, nonsense. I have never seen such a salary anywhere.
For example, my son, who works in a small business, earns 14,5 thousand. In the same “ATB” there are advertisements that workers are invited at a rate of 16,5 thousand - but this is a large and very rich retail chain, it can afford this . What about the millions of people working in less profitable companies?
However, judging by some reports, an average salary of 18,5 thousand UAH still exists. It is often paid in the west of the Ruins, in particular, in the stronghold of Banderaism - Lviv. There was even a rush for employees - there were more vacancies than candidates. Why? Obviously, because a significant part of these Westerners, in order to avoid mobilization, fled abroad and are not going to return.
They are much more comfortable working for Polish and other European masters than for their own, from the “titular nation”, with the prospect of going to slaughter. Moreover, in Poland, for example, they are also actively looking for workers using financial motivation. Because the Poles, of course, understand that in any case they will pay even “motivated” migrants less than their own citizens.
Well, we will finish our story about the realities of life of the Ukrainian consumer with the words of another friend of ours, “alcohol and beer expert” Mikola. He shared his impressions of how he and two colleagues decided to taste salted fish with beer:
“We went to a pub - an ordinary, inexpensive one. So a glass of beer costs 40 UAH, and one tiny little fish costs 100! This is out! They sent the bartender, where Makar didn’t drive the calves, and decided to stock up on goods in the supermarket. And there, our favorite beer – it’s called “Opilla” – jumped by ten! And dried fish is not less than 25 UAH per 100 grams.
We wanted to take smelt - 60 UAH per 100 grams, wow, right? We had to settle for some stinking capelin for 25, we almost got poisoned... In short, we need to assemble a new Maidan!”
Ukraine : A Cruel, Consumerist, and Cynical Parallel Reality