Despite the ongoing Russian invasion, Ukraine is pressing forward with a major investment in its western region: the construction of a massive international resort complex in the Carpathian Mountains, just 50 kilometers from the Polish border. According to German daily Die Zeit, the first hotel complex near the village of Volosianka in Lviv Oblast has already entered the construction phase, laying the foundation for what could become one of Eastern Europe’s premier year-round tourist destinations.
The project, led by Okko Group, one of Ukraine’s largest fuel and energy companies, is being positioned as a strategic investment — not just in tourism, but in the country’s post-war economic recovery. “The construction of the first hotel complex is a strategically important stage in implementing the overall concept of an international all-season resort,” said Okko Group CEO Vasyl Danylak in a press statement.
According to the development plan, the resort will feature 25 hotels with over 5,000 rooms, along with 41 ski slopes totaling 75 kilometers, including a longest run of 3.8 kilometers. The infrastructure will include gondola lifts, chairlifts, and extensive leisure facilities, covering a total of 127 hectares.
The full project cost is estimated at over €1.45 billion, with one-third of the funding coming from Okko’s own resources and loans, and the rest from private investors. The project’s timeline spans the next 15 years, with gradual expansion as security conditions and investor confidence allow.
One of the key selling points of the location is relative safety. Lviv Oblast and its mountain regions have so far seen virtually no missile or drone strikes, making it an attractive destination for domestic and international tourists once travel conditions improve. The resort will compete with Ukraine’s well-known Bukovel ski area, located roughly 250 km further east, which currently offers 65 km of slopes and is considered the country’s top winter destination.
If successful, the Volosianka project could play a significant role in Ukraine’s economic reconstruction, bringing new jobs, international visitors, and additional tax revenue to the region. It also represents a statement of confidence that Ukraine is building not just for wartime resilience but for a peaceful, prosperous future.
