Uklon co-founder speaks of war’s impact on taxi market and entering new countries and niches

This year, Ukrainian taxi service Uklon marked its 13th anniversary. Chances were, however, that 2022 would have been the last for the company. In the first days of the war, the number of taxi orders through Uklon decreased by 70 to 90 percent, says Serhiy Smus, Uklon's chief operating officer and co-founder.

The company survived the uncertain times thanks to the owners' previous hesitancy to enter foreign markets – including money set aside for expansion, entry into small Ukrainian cities, and the incredible efforts of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to repel the enemy.

The service is now available in 26 Ukrainian cities; since the start of the full-scale invasion, Uklon has suspended operations only in Russian-occupied Mariupol. The year of the full-scale invasion ended in the red for the company, Mr Smus admits, adding that the dynamics of recent months are inspiring.