The war in Ukraine has severely limited the ability to gather statistical information and assess the impact on the country’s economy. This column uses high-frequency data from night lights, online search behaviour, and social media activity to estimate the economic impact on Ukrainian regions. It suggests that economic activity decreased by 45% at the beginning of the war, but recovered to around 85% of pre-war levels in April. Timely assessments of human and capital losses will be crucial in the discussion of optimal post-war redevelopment strategies.
