First Deputy Minister of Community and Territorial Development of Ukraine, Alena Shkrum, together with the UK Minister for Trade, Sir Chris Bryant, visited a restored bridge in Kyiv region.
In February 2022, it was destroyed during a full-scale Russian invasion. For several years, thousands of people were forced to spend hours on detours between communities. Today, the restored bridge is an example of how international support is transformed into concrete, tangible results on the ground.
“For us, reconstruction is not about numbers in reports, but about real changes in people’s lives. When a bridge is restored, communication between communities is restored, normal logistics are restored, ambulances arrive as soon as possible, children go to school, people go to work. And we are sincerely grateful to the UK for the support that helps Ukraine restore critical infrastructure today,” stressed Alyona Shkrum.
British steel, modern materials and engineering solutions were used during the project.
The restoration of the bridge was part of a pilot project to rebuild six bridges in the Kyiv region, implemented thanks to the support of the UK. In June 2023, UK Export Finance (UKEF) provided a guarantee for a GBP 26.3 million loan (creditor – Citibank N.A).
The project demonstrates that lending instruments can be effective for quickly launching the restoration of critical infrastructure even in wartime.
Particular attention during the visit was paid to the development of cooperation within the Infrastructure Taskforce – a joint format with the Department for Business and Trade. The Ukrainian side expects further support from the UK, UKEF and DBT in the implementation of priority reconstruction projects – in particular in the areas of infrastructure, housing, water supply and energy.
Ukraine has thousands of objects that need restoration, and reconstruction is already underway today – systematically and together with international partners. (Development Ministry)