KYIV, Dec 8 – Ukrainian households paid mostly in full for utilities, such as heating, cold and hot water supplies, but excluding cooking gas and electricity, over the past 10 months despite the hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Regional Development reported Tuesday.

The household paid UAH 28.6 billion in utilities bills, or 1.6% more than the actual amount on the bills, reflecting payments for previous arrears.

"For example, UAH 24 billion was charged for heating during this period, and UAH 27 billion was paid, which is at 112.2%. That is, Ukrainians paid off debts of UAH 3 billion for heating in January-October, which is a very good indicator," Natalia Khotsianovska, Deputy Minister for the Development of Communities and Territories, said.