Ukrainians have paid off more than 1.5 billion hryvnia in debt during the war
28 May 06:52
Ukrainians and businesses continue to repay their debts even amid a full-scale war. Since the beginning of 2022, borrowers from banks under the management of the Deposit Guarantee Fund have already repaid over 1.5 billion hryvnias in debt through loan restructuring mechanisms.
This was reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" citing the Deposit Guarantee Fund.
According to the Fund, in April 2026 alone, banks undergoing liquidation received 17.4 million UAH under restructuring programs. The total amount of repayments since the start of the full-scale war has reached 1.509 billion UAH.
Ukrainians are increasingly opting for debt restructuring
The Deposit Guarantee Fund explains that borrowers are increasingly using restructuring as a way to settle their loan debt.
This mechanism allows borrowers to negotiate new repayment terms with the lender, avoiding additional financial risks, lawsuits, and potential asset losses.
In fact, restructuring allows borrowers to gradually repay funds even under difficult economic conditions, and banks undergoing liquidation to receive proceeds for further settlements with creditors.
How much debt has been repaid since the start of the war
Since the start of the full-scale war, i.e., since 2022, borrowers from banks under the management of the Deposit Guarantee Fund have repaid UAH 1.509 billion through restructuring.
Separately, in April 2026, banks undergoing liquidation received UAH 17.4 million from restructured loans.
These funds are crucial for the bank liquidation process, as repaid debts can be used to satisfy creditors’ claims in accordance with established procedures.
Why restructuring is beneficial to borrowers
Loan restructuring involves revising the terms of debt repayment. It may involve changing the payment schedule, terms, amount of regular payments, or other conditions that allow the borrower to gradually fulfill their obligations.
For the borrower, this may be more advantageous than taking the matter to court or facing forced collection.
Among the main advantages of restructuring:
- the ability to agree on a realistic repayment schedule;
- reducing the risk of litigation;
- avoidance of additional legal costs;
- preservation of assets;
- gradual restoration of financial stability;
- the opportunity to settle the debt without escalating the conflict with the creditor.
What the Deposit Insurance Fund Says
Tetyana Startseva,Director of the Bank Liquidation Department at the Deposit Guarantee Fund, notes that agreements between the creditor and the borrower help avoid unnecessary expenses and maintain the stability of financial operations.
According to her, practice shows that restructuring can be an effective tool for both parties. The borrower gains the opportunity to fulfill obligations without excessive pressure, while the creditor gains a realistic mechanism for recovering funds.
Who Can Benefit from Restructuring
Debt restructuring can be relevant for both individuals and businesses. During the war, many borrowers faced reduced income, job loss, property damage, business relocation, or other financial difficulties.
Under such conditions, agreeing to new repayment terms can be a way to prevent the debt problem from worsening.
For businesses, restructuring can also serve as a tool for preserving assets and continuing operations. This is particularly important for companies operating under conditions of unstable demand, logistics disruptions, or the loss of market share.
Why this is important for insolvent banks
Banks undergoing liquidation continue to manage assets and deal with debtors. The repayment of loan debt is one of the sources of funds for settling with such banks’ creditors.
When borrowers repay their debts, even gradually and under new terms, this helps the Deposit Insurance Fund increase the amount of funds available for payouts.
Therefore, restructuring is important not only for individual borrowers but also for the entire system of settling the obligations of banks undergoing liquidation.
Restructuring is becoming a more popular tool
The Fund notes that restructuring is becoming an increasingly popular mechanism among borrowers seeking to restore financial stability amid the war.
This indicates that an increasing number of people and companies are seeking not to avoid debt but to find a legally sound and financially feasible way to repay it.
For many borrowers, this is an opportunity to resolve their debt situation without additional burdens, court proceedings, or the risk of losing their property.
