Alcohol sales have surged in the Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine
A significant increase in sales of hard liquor has been recorded in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.
This was reported by Kommersant, citing data from the Unified State Automated Information System (EDAIS).
In January–February 2026, the occupied parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, as well as Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, accounted for about 2.7% of vodka sales on the Russian market, 3.6% of cognac sales, and 1.26% of spirits sales.
Overall, vodka sales in these territories increased by 19.1% compared to the same period last year.
At the same time, in Russia, total alcohol sales during this period decreased by 1.1%, although vodka sales showed a slight increase.
Experts note that there remains high demand for cheap, high-proof alcohol in the occupied territories—the economy segment accounts for more than half of all sales.
As a reminder, Russia has issued an ultimatum to Ukraine: Kyiv has two months to withdraw from Donbas, or there will be “other conditions for peace.”
Additionally, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that if Russia ceases its attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, Ukraine will respond in kind.
