Good morning to readers; #Kyiv remains in #Ukrainian hands.

From global markets to Kyiv kitchens, war is driving up fuel prices, forcing Ukrainian restaurants to raise menu prices for community favorites.

Olena is determined to keep the beloved #Borshch on the menu.

https://www.counteroffensive.news/p/iran-war-threatens-ukraine-borshch

Iran War threatens Ukraine borshch prices

War is driving gas shortages for fryers and raising menu prices for local Ukrainian food. Olena navigates rising costs, blackouts, and energy crises to keep beloved dishes like borshch on the menu.

The Counteroffensive with Tim Mak

A pink neon sign displays four letters: “BPSH.” It is a chain that serves affordable food, such as donuts with sweet filling.

Inside, there’s a line of customers, all waiting for their favorite sugar-dusted donuts.

But in the #kitchen, there’s no sound of oil bubbling in the fryer. Only the vertical #grill is working, sizzling loudly as it cooks another crowd favorite — #shawarma.
“The fryer uses a lot of power. So when we don’t have #electricity, we switch to shawarma — it’s a vertical grill and uses much less energy.
Our key items like donuts and belyashi don’t work in those moments,” said Olena Borysova, #CEO and owner of the Ukrainian Gastro #Family restaurant group, including the BPSH chain.

Want to find out more about the way the war in Iran is affecting restaurant businesses? Check out the link.

https://www.counteroffensive.news

The Counteroffensive with Tim Mak | Substack

A war correspondent's open notebook, reporting live from Kyiv. Human stories that illustrate what’s happening during the war in Ukraine, and elsewhere on the frontlines for democracy. Issues 3x a week! Click to read The Counteroffensive with Tim Mak, a Substack publication with hundreds of thousands of subscribers.

NEWS OF THE DAY:

#UKRAINIAN COUNTEROFFENSIVE ADVANCES AFTER #STARLINK CUTOFF: Ukrainian forces made their biggest territorial gains in over two years after #Russian forces lost access to #Starlink, which had been crucial for battlefield communication and drone coordination.

https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/ukraine-is-suddenly-on-the-offensive-with-help-from-elon-musk-ea6ee661?mod=world_lead_story

#HUNGARY’S FM BRIEFED #RUSSIA ON #EU MEETINGS: Hungary's FM Szijjártó has allegedly been sharing details of EU meetings with Russia’s FM #Lavrov, giving #Moscow insight into internal EU discussions, The Washington post reported.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/03/21/hungary-election-interference-russia-orban/?next_url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/03/21/hungary-election-interference-russia-orban/

To tilt Hungarian election, Russians proposed staging assassination attempt

To aid Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a friend of Russia, in his election, operatives proposed “the Gamechanger” — a staged assassination attempt to stir supporters.

The Washington Post

#SLOVAKIA MAY VETO #EU LOAN FOR #UKRAINE: Slovak Prime Minister #Fico has expressed support for Orban’s blockade of the EU’s €90 billion loan for Ukraine, suggesting Slovakia may join the veto if #Russian #oil supplies via the #Druzhba pipeline remain disrupted.

https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2026/03/21/8026593/

Slovak PM says Bratislava may also block EU loan for Ukraine: "Orbán is right"

Фіцо заявив, що Словаччина може заблокувати кредит ЄС для України, як це робить Угорщина.

Ukrainska Pravda

Check out our #Iran coverage via the link.

https://www.iranwar.news/

Iran War Dispatches with Tim Mak | Substack

A publication to report on the war in Iran through the stories of people on the ground. Click to read Iran War Dispatches with Tim Mak, a Substack publication with thousands of subscribers.

DOG OF #WAR:

Oksana met this cute pup at a pizza place in #Kharkiv.

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Follow along through the link!

https://www.counteroffensive.news/

The Counteroffensive with Tim Mak | Substack

A war correspondent's open notebook, reporting live from Kyiv. Human stories that illustrate what’s happening during the war in Ukraine, and elsewhere on the frontlines for democracy. Issues 3x a week! Click to read The Counteroffensive with Tim Mak, a Substack publication with hundreds of thousands of subscribers.