Demand for Charging Stations Rises by 100%, While Smartphones and Laptops May Increase in Price by 50% — "Kybernetyky"

On the night of August 5, Russian forces launched a massive strike on Kyiv and the Kyiv region. Logistics facilities of Rozetka, NOVUS, Fozzy Group, "Epicenter", "Nova Poshta", and other companies were destroyed or damaged. Consumers are once again faced with the question of whether this will lead to a shortage of goods and delivery delays.

A year ago, a similar strike hit the electronics retail chain "Kybernetyky". On the night of July 4, 2025, Russian drones destroyed its central warehouse, which covered an area of 610 square meters. The company estimated the damage at 35 million UAH.

After the attack, the chain abandoned the model of a single central warehouse and distributed stocks among stores that began to function as local hubs. In 2025, the company also closed five unprofitable stores.

In an interview with Delo.ua, co-owner of "Kybernetyky" Sergey Potemkin discussed how strikes on warehouses affected the supply of equipment, why there is a shortage of compact charging stations, and how much new smartphones and laptops may increase in price.

How have Russian strikes on warehouses affected logistics?

--- Some problems with logistics have arisen. Previously, partners had stable stocks in warehouses and shipped goods daily. Now, due to shelling, delays occur. In particular, some types of goods were destroyed in supplier warehouses, so we receive new batches two to three days later. This affects both supplies to offline stores and the fulfillment of online orders.

Considering forecasts of a difficult winter, do you see that Ukrainians are already preparing for possible outages and buying autonomous power sources?

--- Yes, people are actively purchasing backup power sources, and the approach to this has become more systematic. Initially, customers limited themselves to regular power banks, then switched to portable charging stations. Now many are installing stationary systems and additionally connecting solar panels.

There are enough power banks, and their prices have hardly changed. However, there is currently a shortage of compact charging stations. Some models need to be ordered in advance.

How much has the demand for charging stations increased?

--- Compared to the previous month, the demand for charging stations has increased by about 100%. There was no such demand before, as the security situation was somewhat calmer. Therefore, the current increase is primarily a reaction to alarming news.

Panic demand usually arises only when electricity is actually being turned off. As long as there is light, people buy equipment considering their financial capabilities.

What is happening with prices?

• Charging stations are gradually increasing in price with each new batch. As for smartphones and laptops, we expect prices to rise by about 50% in new shipments.

A 50% increase is quite significant. What is it due to?

• This is a global trend. Manufacturers report rising costs: chips, components, and memory are becoming more expensive. In addition, some foreign brands, particularly Chinese ones, are reducing their presence or leaving the Ukrainian market.

Russian troops regularly attack infrastructure and warehouses. How can businesses operate under such conditions and mitigate risks?

--- In my opinion, the right strategy is to distribute risks and expand the network. It is necessary to place stocks in several warehouses and not concentrate everything in one place. Also, large facilities should not be located in industrial zones near potential targets.

We have already abandoned the central warehouse. Our stores effectively operate as local hubs. There are no completely safe places now — only relatively safe ones.

Are you considering relocating warehouses from Kyiv to the western regions of Ukraine?

--- We are considering it, but it is always a question of logistics and personnel. The further the warehouse is located, the more difficult and expensive it is to organize delivery. Moreover, in some western regions, it is already difficult to find workers.

Are you planning to open new stores this year?

-- Yes, we continue to develop. We will open a new store in Zolotonosha on August 20. We are optimizing the network: we closed an unprofitable point in Kryvyi Rih and redirected the freed resources to open a new store with an area of over 200 square meters.

What is currently happening in the commercial real estate market?

--- There are many offers: quite a few establishments have closed, so premises have become available. However, a paradox has arisen: supply is increasing, but rental rates are not decreasing, and sometimes even rising.