**Kyivstar to Buy Ukrainian Taxi Service Uklon**
Ukrainian phone operator Kyivstar has been allowed to buy the taxi service Uklon. The country’s Anti-Monopoly Committee (AMCU) approved the deal on February 6.
The CEO of Kyivstar, Oleksandr Komarov, announced this at an event for American businesses in Ukraine. AMCU head Pavlo Kyrylenko also said that Kyivstar will acquire other companies related to Uklon.
**No Changes Expected**
AMCU concluded that the deal would not change the structure of three important markets: online advertising, passenger transportation, and goods delivery.
Ukrainian media outlet Forbes reported in January that the purchase value was estimated at $40-80 million. Uklon made around $28 million in revenue during the first nine months of 2023, but has struggled to grow internationally due to competition from companies like Uber and Bolt.
**Help from Parent Company**
Kyivstar’s parent company Veon is expected to help with capital, expertise, and access to new markets. In January, Veon announced plans to list Kyivstar on the Nasdaq stock exchange by the end of 2025.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine, Kyivstar has invested over $772 million into its business. The company also recently signed an agreement to bring Starlink‘s direct-to-cell service to Ukraine.