[1/2] People are seen outside of the Piana Vyshnia (Drunken Cherry) chain's bar in downtown, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine May 15, 2023. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsKYIV, Oct 4 (Reuters) - Ukraine's economy is adapting well to the wartime environment following Russia's invasion and growth will continue next year, the deputy head of an International Monetary Fund mission said on Wednesday. Natan Epstein, Deputy Mission Chief for Ukraine, said domestic demand and strong private consumption were driving the activities. In June, the IMF forecast Ukraine's gross domestic product growth would be within a range of 1% to 3% this year. Ukraine's economy has been hit hard since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, and the government has relied heavily on Western aid to finance social and humanitarian payments.

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Persons: Cherry, Valentyn, Natan Epstein, Epstein, Olena Harmash, Timothy Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, International Monetary Fund, IMF, Fund, Timothy Heritage, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv, Russia