Classic Kyiv Post: April 2017 – Spotlight on Mykolaiv, obstructions to Naftogaz reform

The great newspaper is no more (in print) after owner Adnan Kivan destroyed it on Nov. 8, 2021, because its independent journalism threatened his business interests.

This is former Kyiv Post chief editor Brian Bonner’s introduction to the April 14, 2017, edition of the once-great newspaper: Friday, April 14, 2017. Issue #15, Year #22

There's nothing like spring in Kyiv to bring optimism. Ukrainians prepare for a long three-day weekend as Christians celebrate Easter Sunday on April 16. Monday is an official day off.

We introduce the first of our regional reports this year with a spotlight on Mykolaiv, the southern port city and shipbuilding center that has seen better days. But a new generation of local politicians and investors is trying to engineer a turnaround.

Naftogaz, the state's oil and gas monopoly, has gone from being one of the most corrupt entities in the nation -- bleeding 7 percent of the nation's economic output at one point -- to a profitable entity. Now, a mix of Western backers and Ukrainian reformers are worried that President Petro Poroshenko's administration and Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman's government will reverse the reforms. Stay tuned for how this plays out.

We look at Ulana Suprun's stunning success in rooting out corruption in healthcare spending.

Lifestyle maps out your next pub crawl.

And all our regular features -- all for you.

Next week, we will have a double Business Focus: Food Innovations in Ukraine and World In Ukraine goes to Austria.

Good night, God bless and peace to all of you from the entire Kyiv Post team

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