Despite the fact that the direct losses of the digital, media, and telecom sectors from the war are estimated at $2.5 billion, their full restoration and modernization by 2035 will require almost three times that amount — $7.1 billion.
Despite the fact that the direct losses of the digital, media, and telecom sectors from the war are estimated at $2.5 billion, their full restoration and modernization by 2035 will require almost three times that amount — $7.1 billion.
This is stated in the Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA5) report, prepared jointly by the World Bank, the Government of Ukraine, the European Commission, and the United Nations.
The total needs for recovery and reconstruction over the ten-year period 2026–2035 are estimated at $587.7 billion, almost three times the gross domestic product (GDP) of Ukraine in 2025. This represents an increase in needs of $64.1 billion (or 12.3%) compared to the previous RDNA4 report.
Geographically, damage continues to be concentrated in frontline regions and large cities, including Kyiv and Kyiv region. Frontline regions account for 75% of the total damage, underscoring the scale and duration of the attacks in these regions. In particular, the most affected regions were Donetsk (27.2% of the total), Kharkiv (16.5%), Zaporizhia (9.9%), Luhansk (7.9%) and Kherson (7.2%).
Total direct losses in the telecommunications, digital and media sectors are estimated at $2.5 billion, and indirect losses at $2.7 billion. Damages include mobile and fixed broadband networks, postal facilities, broadcasting and media infrastructure. Due to persistent attacks and limited access, 55% of all losses are concentrated in Donetsk, Zaporizhia, Kherson and Kharkiv regions.
Indirect losses reflect lost revenues for private operators and postal services, increased operating costs for repairs, and additional costs for backup generators. Geographically, over 60% of all losses fall on Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Donetsk regions.
