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Automatically translated version. May contain inaccuracies compared to the original.
The largest mobile operator in Ukraine for the second quarter of 2026 year lost 600 thousand subscribers, while posting net profit growth of almost one third. Since July 1, Kyivstar changed its account top-up rules, and such steps to move customers to digital services the company associates with rising revenues. The subscriber base declined by 2,8% year over year, from 22,4 million to 21,8 million users. However, those who remained with the operator began to use services more actively and generate more income. The company immediately raised its revenue and EBITDA guidance for the entire 2026 year.
According to MedicalStat, Kyivstar Group Ltd. — the parent company of PrJSC Kyivstar and part of the international VEON telecommunications group — disclosed its financial and operational results for the second quarter and the first half of 2026 year. For the first half of 2026 year, Kyivstar's net profit rose by 36,1% year over year, to 7,102 billion UAH. The company's revenue for this period grew by 29,1%, to 28,96 billion UAH. EBITDA increased by 24,5%, to 15,78 billion UAH.
Key indicators for the company for the second quarter of 2026 year:
Total revenue rose by 19,3% year over year, to 339 million USD (14,9 billion UAH);
EBITDA increased by 13,7% year over year, to 188 million USD (8,3 billion UAH);
EBITDA profitability was 55,4%;
Net profit for the quarter amounted to 77 million USD;
Earnings per share (EPS) — 0,33 USD;
Mobile ARPU (average revenue per user) grew by 11,2% year over year, to 3,9 USD.
Separately, the company highlights digital revenue — income from non-traditional telecom services, including taxi, delivery, streaming, and medical platforms. In the second quarter, it grew by 83,0% year over year, to 73,7 million USD (3,3 billion UAH, +94,7%). This accounts for 21,7% of the company's total revenue.
“Kyivstar continues to demonstrate sustainable and profitable growth, so we are again raising our forecast for 2026 year. The core telecom business remains a reliable foundation for our results, while the digital ecosystem continues to develop actively,” said Kyivstar Group CEO Oleksandr Komarov.
According to Komarov, customers who use multiple company services simultaneously generate more income and stay with the operator longer.
“Digital businesses already account for more than a fifth of our revenue — seven percentage points more than a year ago,” added Komarov.
Operator revised its annual forecast
Based on the results achieved, Kyivstar updated its forecast for 2026 year. The company now expects revenue growth in USD to be in the range of 14–16% instead of 11–14%, and EBITDA by 9–12% instead of 7–10%. In hryvnias, revenue growth forecast raised to 21–23%, and EBITDA to 17–19%. The capex intensity forecast remains unchanged — 21–24%, assuming an average exchange rate of 44,5 UAH per USD.
In the second quarter, telecom services and infrastructure revenue grew by 8,8% year over year, reaching 265 million USD. Growth was driven by higher mobile ARPU, increased mobile internet consumption, and expansion of fixed broadband subscriber base.
Subscribers complain about the operator’s service
Earlier, Inforomator reported that a woman bought a new Kyivstar number and, along with it, received someone else’s debts and access to the previous owner's social networks. She tried to complain to the operator, but contacting support proved difficult.
We also wrote that Kyivstar increased the tariff for one subscriber from 200 to 420 hryvnias, and in response to the complaint the operator said the customer allegedly submitted a request to change terms. The customer stated that he did not submit any request and was shocked by the operator’s reply.
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