Members of the board of Kyivstar Group Ltd, the parent company of Ukraine’s leading digital operator Kyivstar and part of VEON Group, visited Kyiv to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the full-scale war in Ukraine. The delegation aimed to meet with local employees and demonstrate unwavering support for the country.
From February 21 to 24, the delegation included VEON founder and Kyivstar Group board member Ogi Fabella, former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and other board members such as Michiel Soeting, Serdar Cetin, and Dmytro Shymkiv. They engaged with Kyivstar’s leadership and its extensive workforce, discussing the resilience required during wartime, the efforts to maintain network functionality amid power outages and destruction, and future development and investment plans in Ukraine.
The group leaders reaffirmed their strategic commitment to business development in Ukraine, highlighting the professionalism of the Ukrainian team as a foundation for ongoing growth. “The visit of the Kyivstar Group board to Kyiv is a powerful signal of support. It is important for us that board members see firsthand the conditions under which our team operates,” stated Kyivstar President Oleksandr Komarov.
He emphasized that despite daily challenges, the company is not only maintaining connections but also innovating and continuing to invest in its network, digital services, and energy independence. This support enables the execution of ambitious investment programs.
Ogi Fabella remarked that “despite the war, Ukraine remains a promising market for business creation and development.” He noted the country’s deep culture of engineering excellence, technological innovation, and the ability to find solutions to complex challenges. “Since the start of the full-scale war, I have been visiting Ukraine every two to three months. The country is functioning well, thanks to the relentless drive of its citizens to grow. Kyivstar exemplifies this resilience and growth, demonstrating strong financial results while the Ukrainian economy continues to operate and create value. Ukraine is becoming an increasingly attractive place for investment,” he added.
During their visit, the board members paid tribute to Kyivstar employees who have lost their lives or gone missing while defending Ukraine. They laid flowers at the “Roots of Strength” monument located at the company’s headquarters, honoring the fallen heroes.
The board also focused on the photo installation “Connection is People,” displayed in Kyiv’s Contract Square. This project, created by photographers Kostiantyn and Vlada Libery, showcases the dedicated work of Kyivstar engineers and technical specialists who maintain the network amid unprecedented challenges, including blackouts, severe weather, and repairs following enemy attacks.
About Kyivstar Group Ltd
Kyivstar Group Ltd is a holding company listed on Nasdaq that manages the operations of Kyivstar, Ukraine’s leading electronic communications operator and the first Ukrainian company to have its shares traded on a U.S. stock exchange. The group provides a wide range of electronic communications and digital services, including mobile and fixed-line communication, data transmission, ride-hailing services, e-health, digital television, and corporate solutions in Big Data, cloud technology, and cybersecurity.
Together with VEON, Kyivstar Group plans to invest $1 billion in Ukraine from 2023 to 2027, focusing on infrastructure and technology development, charitable support, and strategic acquisitions.
The visit by Kyivstar Group's leadership to Ukraine underscores their commitment to supporting the country during wartime. They emphasized ongoing investments and the resilience of the Ukrainian workforce, while also honoring employees who have sacrificed their lives in defense of the nation.