Russia’s war has devastated Donetsk Oblast, with losses already exceeding $26 billion

The preliminary economic losses suffered by Donetsk Oblast due to Russia's full-scale invasion reached 1.08 trillion hryvnias, equivalent to $26 billion as of August 1, 2026, according to figures provided by the Donetsk Regional Military Administration to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's Donbas.Realities project. The oblast has been at the forefront of Russia's war against Ukraine since 2014, with the frontline passing through the region and Ukrainian-controlled towns enduring daily Russian attacks since 2022. Currently, only around 30% of the oblast remains under Ukrainian control.

Industry sectors have borne the brunt of the losses, with businesses in the region's real economy enduring more than 1.08 trillion hryvnias in losses, including diminished profits. This includes 909.4 billion hryvnias ($22 billion) in lost profits, 156.5 billion hryvnias ($3.8 billion) in losses within the electricity and gas sectors, 11.8 billion hryvnias ($285 million) in agriculture, 1.5 billion hryvnias ($36 million) in transport, and an additional 1 billion hryvnias ($24 million) in other sectors.

The social sphere has also suffered losses, estimated at 100 million hryvnias ($2.4 million) among businesses operating within it.

The full extent of the damage remains uncertain, as the administration's Department of Economy is compiling and synthesizing information on the losses induced by Russia's invasion. The regional administration acknowledges that the figure is likely incomplete due to ongoing hostilities and the scale of destruction, which complicate the determination of the total material damage.

The administration highlighted that the estimates provided are preliminary and do not represent the full material losses incurred by the region. A definitive assessment can only be completed once the security situation stabilizes and temporarily occupied territories are liberated, allowing authorities to properly document and assess the damage.