New fuel excise taxes set to take effect in January are expected to cause sharp price increases, while long hours without electricity are already threatening food supply chains. As Ukraine heads into another difficult winter, citizens across the country are feeling the growing pressure. In Jewish communities nationwide, the sense of hardship is deepening—and with support from the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ), emergency humanitarian aid is being prepared ahead of Chanukah.
Winter has arrived in Ukraine—and it brings with it relentless missile attacks, blackouts, and rising costs. Beginning January 1, 2026, the government will raise excise taxes on fuel, a move that economists warn could trigger a new wave of economic turbulence. The tax on gasoline will rise from €271.7 to €300.8 per 1,000 liters; the diesel tax will climb from €215.7 to €253.8; and automotive gas will be taxed at €198, up from €173.
The result is expected to be a dramatic increase in transportation, agriculture, and food prices. A senior official from Ukraine’s general agricultural council warned that if daily power outages continue for eight hours or more, prices for dairy and meat products could jump by as much as 30%.
“We’ve been living in crisis conditions for several years already, but things aren’t getting better—on the contrary,” said a resident of Kyiv. “This is a real state of emergency, and no one feels truly secure anymore.”
Between nightly explosions and extended blackouts, Jewish communities across Ukraine are facing an increasingly difficult reality. More and more families are reporting financial hardship and serious concerns for their children’s wellbeing. In some areas, basic food items are becoming scarce. Still, community rabbis and Chabad emissaries are working tirelessly to preserve Jewish life in each community despite worsening conditions.
“Missiles fall every night, the power barely returns, and prices keep rising—it’s a true emergency,” described a resident of Dnipro.
Ahead of Chanukah, Chabad of Ukraine (JRNU) and the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews are working together to bring humanitarian relief and a spark of light to Jewish families. A nationwide emergency distribution campaign is now underway, providing food, blankets, heating kits, and essential medicines. Each family also receives a symbolic Chanukah package, including a menorah, candles, and beautifully designed educational materials.
“Chanukah is a holiday of light—and we are here to ignite that light even in the darkest places,” said IFCJ President Yael Eckstein. “This aid is reaching dozens of communities—sometimes under life-threatening conditions—and includes food packages for Chanukah and basic heating kits.”
The distribution is being carried out on the ground by Chabad emissaries stationed across Ukraine. “We’re conducting a dignified and well-organized campaign,” one community rabbi shared. “And we all hope that the light of Chanukah will dispel the darkness, and that peace will return to Ukraine after so many difficult years.”
