Prior to the large-scale Russian invasion on February 24, 2022, Ukraine had made significant progress in implementing ambitious regional development and decentralization reforms. These reforms have resulted in the creation of 1,469 amalgamated municipalities, the introduction of a detailed multi-level regional development planning structure, and a significant increase in the level of local public service delivery and public funding for regional and local development. However, the reforms have encountered some challenges, many of which have been significantly exacerbated by Russia’s war against Ukraine. These challenges include widening regional economic and demographic disparities and differences in wealth, a fragmented structure of regional development financing, and marked differences in administrative, human resource, and fiscal capacity among municipalities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n