Fuel Price Probe Finds No Collusion, But Ukraine's Cashback Program Extended to May

State of Ukraine's Fuel Market

According to Главком: In a report to Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, Pavlo Kyrylenko, Head of the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine (AMCU), addressed the situation on the country's fuel market. The AMCU initiated a review on March 9 into potential anti-competitive collusion among fuel retailers. However, as of now, the investigation has not uncovered any evidence of a coordinated scheme by market participants to raise prices.

Kyrylenko stated: 'Based on the data already received and analyzed, the AMCU has not, as of today, recorded evidence of collusion among market participants regarding price increases.'

Fuel Prices and the Compensation Scheme

As of April 8, 2026, the average price for A-95 gasoline at major filling stations was approximately 74.26 UAH per liter, while the average price for diesel fuel reached 91.53 UAH per liter. Price increases have been noted at networks including UPG, Okko, WOG, and KLO, with the most expensive gasoline and diesel offered by Okko, WOG, and Socar. Meanwhile, the cheapest fuel can be purchased at Ukrnafta and BRSM-Nafta stations.

Kyrylenko noted that 'operators indicate that their sales volumes, and consequently profitability, have noticeably decreased... Companies simultaneously declare their readiness to lower prices.'

A partial fuel cost compensation program, known as the National Cashback, has been in effect in Ukraine since March 20, 2026. The cashback rates are:

• 15% on diesel,
• 10% on gasoline,
• 5% on autogas, with a maximum compensation of 1,000 UAH per person per month.

The cashback program will operate until May 1, 2026. The Cabinet of Ministers launched this initiative because it does not impact military support and provides financial assistance to those most affected by rising fuel costs, as noted by Oleksii Sobolev.

Diesel prices in Ukraine have risen by 33.9%. In March, the supply volume of diesel fuel remained at 2025 levels, as confirmed by Serhii Kuiun, who stated: 'There is no diesel fuel shortage and none is anticipated.' The markets for petroleum products in Ukraine remain unregulated, with pricing being free and market-based, emphasized Pavlo Kyrylenko.

The situation on Ukraine's fuel market remains under the control of the Antimonopoly Committee, although the price surge has caused concern among consumers. This market operates within the broader context of Ukraine's post-war economic recovery, where balancing consumer protection with market freedom is a key challenge. The introduction of the cashback program aims to alleviate the financial burden on the population facing higher fuel expenses. At the same time, the lack of evidence for market collusion indicates that pricing in Ukraine remains a free-market process for now, which may influence future government decisions on regulating this sector.

As fuel prices in Ukraine remain under scrutiny, it's essential to consider the broader implications of market stability. Recent trends indicate that despite fluctuations, prices have held steady in the face of global oil market pressures. For a deeper understanding of the factors influencing this situation and the ongoing investigations, read more about the current dynamics of fuel pricing in Ukraine.