By the end of 2025, the price of liquefied automotive gas in Ukraine reached record levels. Over the past month, prices at gas stations have increased by more than 10%, with the average price per liter reaching 37.67 UAH. This is the second highest figure in the history of observations, surpassed only by the peak values at the beginning of the full-scale war in 2022, when fuel shortages and sales restrictions occurred.
This is reported by Finway
What Influences Price Increases
The key reason for the rise in gas prices is attributed by experts to the rapid increase in wholesale prices amid logistical complications. According to Artem Kuyun, a specialist from the consulting group “A-95,” the average wholesale price rose by 5,000 UAH per ton in the first week of December — reaching 62,700 UAH, which is approximately equivalent to 34.4 UAH per liter. Some suppliers raised prices by 3.5–3.8 UAH per liter, which directly impacted retail networks.
Additionally, seasonal factors affect price dynamics: during the winter period, the density of gas increases, adding about 0.8 UAH to the cost per liter.
How Operators Respond and the Impact of the Security Situation
Significant price increases are observed across all major gas station networks. For instance, OKKO and WOG have raised the price of gas by 1 UAH per liter twice, nearing the 39 UAH mark. SOCAR added 4 UAH, “Ukrnafta” — 2.5–3 UAH, while the UPG network set the price at 38 UAH per liter. Particularly dynamic price growth is recorded in the southern regions — Mykolaiv and Odesa oblasts, where most of the gas comes from the south.
The situation is exacerbated by constant shelling of ports and bridges in the southern part of the country. This leads some drivers to avoid dangerous routes, while others demand additional payment for risky transportation. The shortage of drivers increases the cost of delivery.
“Drone attacks on Izmail and risks to the ports make the south a zone of increased danger. Some drivers avoid these routes, while others add a premium for risk. The shortage of drivers further raises the cost of delivery,” comments one market participant.
The route through Moldova is almost never used due to difficulties with international licenses, repeated customs clearance, and lengthy export-import procedures, making transportation even more expensive and slower.
Traders are pinning hopes on the activation of gas imports from Poland and Lithuania, as well as on the traditional decrease in demand before the holidays. A certain correction is already being observed: wholesale prices have begun to gradually decrease. However, a significant return to previous prices is not expected due to the upcoming increase in excise taxes starting January 1, 2026. The excise tax increase of 25 euros per thousand liters (from 173 to 198 euros) will add approximately 1.5 UAH to each liter of gas.
According to experts, even with a revival in imports, retail prices at gas stations will remain at current levels, and any decrease is only possible with the complete resolution of logistical issues.