Spring has sprung

Posted on April 26, 2011 by admin

As quite a few people have bemoaned the fact that I have been very tardy with my posts I am going to try and do more… well, to be honest – actually make an effort and make more than one post every 6 months.

I have now been here in Kiev for 4 years and am still enjoying it. Life is good…. our new baby – Kira- is now- 8 weeks old and has started swimming lessons already. She goes to a local hospital where they have a swimming pool / jacuzzi for babies and a nurse teaches her how to be splashed and enjoy it. Last week she actually “dived” under water  – apparently up to 3 months old, children close their eyes and hold their breathe by reflex.

For all of the complaints about Ukraine and its infrastructure the medical side of things keeps pushing on regardless – largely due to the abilities and professionalism of medical staff who triumph despite the Government. On that front I am now over 18 months on from having a 2 stents fitted to my heart here in Ukraine – a belated thanks to the staff at the Heart wing on Lesyi Ukrainki!!

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YANUKOVYCH SUGGESTS ENVISAGING FIRE-PREVENTION MEASURES FOR 2011

Posted on August 17, 2010 by admin


Ukraine’s President Viktor Yanukovych believes that Ukraine needs to draw a lesson from this summer’s abnormal heat and take measures to prevent possible natural disasters in the future.  “This year we should foresee everything, and buy the necessary equipment to overcome the effects of natural disasters, including fires, in 2011 and 2012,” he said during a conference call with heads of regional state administrations in Kyiv on Monday.

At the same time, Yanukovych said that Ukraine should learn not only from its own experience, but also from that of its neighbors. He noted the need for preventive measures. Commenting on the situation in the country, the president said: “We were sitting on a powder keg.”


Yanukovych instructed Vice Premier Andri y Kliuyev, who heads the operational headquarters for fire fighting in Ukraine, to prepare relevant proposals and discuss them at a government meeting.  The president also said he was willing to help prepare and implement such proposals.

Fantastic news!!!  So what happened to emergency planning this year? Where did the money go?Developers are always being forced to make payments for “fire fighting equipment” every time they want to build something that does not comply with the Ukrainian norms (yet would exceed regulations elsewhere). Where are all these shiny fire engines? A new black Mercedes for the CFO does not count by the way.

And whilst we are talking about forward planning… is the Mayor of Kiev going to be forced to replace the snow clearing machines he sold prior to last years Winter before the snow starts this year?

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Casinos come back….?

Posted on July 2, 2010 by admin

Although most of us know that many of the casinos never actually closed (particularly in the regions distant from Kiev) the current legislation means that at the moment all gambling is banned.

This may change soon however, with a draft bill under consideration that would allow casinos in 5 star hotels (of 60+ rooms) and in specially designated zones. These are the same zones that were promised over a year ago – remember?

The license fee per casino will be a $5 million payable per quarter over 7 years so around $60,000 per month. No other fees or taxes will be paid (officially anyway – lol)

Quite whether anyone will decide to open new casinos on the back of this is anyone’s guess but the existing closed casinos that fit the criteria will certainly stand to make a bucket load of cash.

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