Ukraine is preparing for the last daylight saving time in October 2024. Find out when the clocks are changed, what consequences the abolition of daylight saving time will have for Ukraine and its relations with other countries, and how to prepare for the time change

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In October 2024, Ukraine is set to change its clocks for the last time. The Verkhovna Rada has decided to cancel daylight saving time, which has raised many discussions and questions. Let's take a closer look at all aspects of this issue.

Who and when did the clocks start changing to summer and winter time?

The idea to set the clocks to daylight saving time in 1784 was proposed by Benjamin Franklin, then the US ambassador to France, in order to save candles. Later, the British activist William Willett tried to implement this idea, but in vain.

The first country to officially introduce daylight saving time in 1916 was Germany due to resource shortages during World War I. This practice was later supported by the United States and more than 100 other countries.

On the territory of the Ukrainian People's Republic, clocks were first reset on February 16, 1918, to match the average European time. In independent Ukraine, the annual reset was introduced by a resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers on May 13, 1996.

The date of the switch to winter time in 2024

The transition to winter time will take place on the last Sunday of October. This year, clocks will need to be reset on the night of October 26-27. At 04:00 Kyiv time, the hands should be turned back one hour to indicate 03:00. For those who wake up with an alarm, this means an extra hour of sleep.

Do I need to set the clock on my smartphone?

In most cases, you don't need to do anything. Modern devices (smartphones, laptops, and computers) automatically synchronize with the network and switch to the new time on their own. If the user has an alarm clock set, it will continue to ring at the specified time.

Time difference between Ukraine and other countries after daylight saving time is canceled

The time difference between Ukraine and other countries will change after the daylight saving time is canceled.

In winter (from October to March), the difference with Kyiv time in other countries will be as follows:

● in most European countries (Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Czech Republic, Germany, Spain, Norway) - minus 1 hour

● in Moldova, Romania, Estonia - the same time

● in the United Kingdom and Ireland - minus 2 hours;

● in Washington, D.C. - minus 7 hours

● in Japan - +7 hours

● in Georgia, Turkey and moscow - +1 hour

In summer (from March to October), the difference with Kyiv time in other countries will be as follows:

● in Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Czech Republic, Germany, Spain and Norway - the same time

● in Moldova, Romania, Estonia - +1 hour

● in the United Kingdom and Ireland - minus 1 hour;

● in Washington, D.C. - minus 6 hours;

● in Japan - +7 hours;

● in Turkey and moscow - +1 hour;

● in Georgia - +2 hours.

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History of time change abolition in Ukraine

Attempts to abolish time saving in Ukraine have been going on for several years. In 2011, the Verkhovna Rada issued a resolution to cancel daylight saving time, but a month later it was declared invalid.

The issue was revisited 10 years later. On July 16, 2024, the Verkhovna Rada finally passed a law abolishing daylight saving time. This means that on the last Sunday of October 2024, Ukraine will switch to winter time for the last time, and in March 2025, the clocks will no longer be set to daylight saving time.

What will be the impact of daylight saving time in Ukraine?

Ukraine is located in the UTC+2 time zone (in winter) and UTC+3 time zone (in summer until the daylight saving time is canceled). Due to the country's vast territory, the difference in sunrise and sunset between the eastern and western regions is about 45 minutes, but the length of the day is the same in both.

Thus, the actual time difference between the cities of Ukraine and the zero zone (UTC+0 or GMT) according to Greenwich Mean Time:

– Kyiv 2 hours 2 minutes

– Dnipro - 2 hours and 18 minutes

– Lviv - 1 hour 40 minutes

This means that the sun rises and sets in eastern and western Ukraine at different times. For example, on the day of the summer solstice in 2024, the sun rose in Kyiv at 04:46, and in Lviv at 05:16, in Dnipro at 4:38, and in Donetsk at about 4 a.m.

This means that canceling daylight saving time means that Ukrainians will lose an extra hour of light at the end of the day.

At the same time, it should be understood that modern society does not provide for the possibility of different time in different parts of Ukraine. According to astronomer Lyudmyla Marchenko, this is very difficult from an economic and logistical point of view.

International practice: which countries reset their clocks?

As of 2024, a little over 70 countries around the world reset their clocks twice a year. At the same time, it should be understood that the term “winter time” does not exist in international practice. Instead, “standard time” and “summer time” (Daylight Saving Time or DST) are used. In 2024, 49 countries in Europe (including 27 EU member states) will use Daylight Saving Time. And since 2021, each country in the European Union has been granted the right to independently decide on the issue of time change.

Among the countries that change time are: Spain, Italy, Austria, Albania, Andorra, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Vatican, Gibraltar, Denmark, Kosovo, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Macedonia, Malta, Monaco, Norway, the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, France, Croatia, Czech Republic, Montenegro, Switzerland, Sweden, the Åland Islands, Bulgaria, Greece, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, and Finland.

Other countries that change the time on the territory of the whole country or partially: The United States, Mexico, Canada, Israel, Lebanon, Palestine, Egypt, Greenland, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, the Bahamas, Haiti, Cuba, Chile, Paraguay, Egypt, Morocco, and Australia.

At the same time, there are some countries that have abandoned the practice of changing their clocks. These countries include: Japan, China, India, Singapore, Turkey, Iceland, russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Armenia, and Azerbaijan.

Pros and cons of time change

Experts believe that an economically feasible time change is only advisable in the range of latitudes from 30° to 60°, where Ukraine is located. However, energy is only saved by 1-3%.

At the same time, doctors note that the abrupt change in regimen caused by the time change leads to stress and can cause a number of negative symptoms, including poor health, weakening of the immune system, and exacerbation of chronic diseases. People also experience an increase in depression, heart attacks, sleep disorders, and high blood pressure.

Therefore, from a health point of view, it is much better when clocks are not set for winter and summer time. And given the insignificant energy savings, the benefits of this practice are questionable.

Recommendations for preparing your body for daylight saving time

1. A week before the time change, reduce physical activity - avoid overwork and heavy tasks.

2. Limit the consumption of fatty foods and alcohol.

3. Increase your water and herbal tea intake.

4. Turn off all gadgets an hour before bedtime.

5. Go to bed at 22:00 on the night of daylight saving time.

6. Prepare everything you need for the morning in the evening to reduce the load after changing your sleep schedule.

Following these recommendations will help facilitate the body's adaptation to the time change.

We remind you! Ukrainians have been living on their lands for several millennia. During this time, the country has gone through periods of prosperity and decline, developed industry and art, its scientists have made scientific discoveries, and its athletes have set world records. Read what Ukrainians were the first in the world to do and discover facts you didn't know before in our previous article.

Photo: Getty Images

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