Parallel
Parallel is a Ukrainian fuel-importing group and filling-station operator that also runs convenience retail and related petroleum-product distribution activities.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
Parallel is a Ukrainian group of companies focused on the import, wholesale distribution, and retail sale of motor fuels. Its principal operating entity is Parallel-M Ltd., and the group operates a branded network of filling stations in Ukraine. The business also develops convenience retail, including food and household-goods sales at or near its filling stations, and operates distribution infrastructure supporting these activities. The network traces its origins to 18 April 1996, when the company built the Nafta filling station in Donetsk and acquired a petroleum depot in the village of Kuteynikovo. During its first years, the business concentrated on eastern Ukraine, opening seven additional stations in Donetsk and Makiivka between 1996 and 2003. Its supply relationships expanded in the early 2000s, including agreements with Lithuania's Mažeikių Nafta for Ventus-branded gasoline and diesel products. The company subsequently developed its own fuel-quality systems and product offerings, including Perfekt fuel. Parallel grew through both new construction and the integration of existing stations. In 2009, 47 stations operating under the Gefest name and one PitStop station came under Parallel's management. This increased the number of controlled locations from 20 to 68 and expanded the company's presence from a primarily Donetsk-based operation into eight Ukrainian regions. The company later rebranded a number of Gefest locations and continued to renovate stations, add new sites, and develop related services such as car washing and convenience retail. Retail diversification became part of the operating model in 2006, when Parallel introduced its first station mini-market under the ZZZIP!! trade mark. The company also established an in-house laboratory for petroleum-product quality control. In later years, filling-station stores and food sales became increasingly important to the business, alongside wholesale fuel distribution and direct importing. The group describes its procurement model as diversified, combining direct manufacturer relationships with supplies arranged through international trading companies. Reported suppliers and source markets have included European, American, and Middle Eastern producers, although the exact supplier mix can change over time. Parallel was formerly associated with Rinat Akhmetov's SCM industrial group. Its network was especially prominent in Donetsk, Luhansk, Dnipropetrovsk, and Zaporizhzhia regions, and regional brand recognition in Donbas was reported to be very high. The war in eastern Ukraine resulted in the loss of stations in territories outside Ukrainian government control and materially reduced the network's footprint. In November 2020, the business was acquired from SCM by Ukrainian entrepreneur Oleksandr Dubinin, whose petroleum-wholesale background was relevant to the group's subsequent development. The transaction value was not publicly disclosed. Following the ownership change, Parallel invested in rebuilding and expanding its network, with the stated aim of extending its geographic presence from eastern Ukraine toward central and western markets. Thirty-one stations were reported to be operating in November 2024 across Dnipropetrovsk, Odesa, Kyiv, and Ukrainian-controlled parts of Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions. By July 2025, the reported network had reached 76 stations in eight regions. The group also uses a large road-freight logistics system, reportedly involving approximately 500 fuel tankers. In 2025, Parallel piloted convenience stores under the Parallel Market name, reinforcing its move toward a broader roadside and near-home retail proposition. Reported 2025 financial information indicated higher revenue, fuel volumes, EBITDA, and non-fuel sales than in 2024, but these figures are company-reported and are not presented here as independently audited financial statements. The group has also participated in a Ukrainian Ministry of Defense-linked Plusy initiative that provides benefits to active-duty military personnel through the Parallel network. Parallel's present identity therefore combines fuel importing and distribution, a national filling-station network, convenience retail, and logistics, with operations shaped by the security and infrastructure conditions of wartime Ukraine.
History
Parallel was established on 18 April 1996 with the construction of the Nafta filling station in Donetsk and the acquisition of a petroleum depot in Kuteynikovo village. Its early development was concentrated in Donetsk and nearby Makiivka, where seven more filling stations were opened between 1996 and 2003. The company then began strengthening its fuel-supply relationships. In February 2003 it signed a supply contract with Mažeikių Nafta of Lithuania, followed in September 2003 by an exclusive arrangement covering Ventus 98 and Ventus 95 gasoline. A related agreement for Ventus Diesel and Ventus 92 followed in 2004. The group expanded its retail and quality-control capabilities during the second half of the 2000s. In 2006, it opened its first station mini-market under the ZZZIP!! trade mark and established an internal petroleum-product quality laboratory. In 2007, the laboratory received recognition in the Ukrainian 100 Best Goods of Ukraine competition for oil-product testing services, while Parallel introduced sales of gasoline and Perfekt diesel fuel. Perfekt gasoline later received recognition in the same national quality competition. In 2008, the company opened five further stations and became an official partner of FC Shakhtar Donetsk. A major increase in scale occurred in 2009, when 47 filling stations operating under the Gefest name and one PitStop station came under Parallel management. The transaction expanded the number of locations controlled by the company from 20 to 68 and widened its geographic reach from one to eight Ukrainian regions, principally in the east and center of the country. During 2010, Parallel rebranded 29 Gefest stations in Donetsk Oblast, reconstructed two Donetsk stations, opened three new stations in Luhansk, and added a hand car wash in Makiivka. The company was associated with Rinat Akhmetov's SCM industrial group during this period. Parallel became a prominent regional fuel retailer. Research cited in the company's historical coverage placed brand recognition in Donbas above 94 percent, and the chain appeared repeatedly in Forbes Ukraine's rankings of large Ukrainian companies, reaching 87th place in 2013. Its operating territory included the Donetsk, Luhansk, Dnipropetrovsk, and Zaporizhzhia regions. Alongside retail sales, the group developed wholesale fuel distribution and direct-import capabilities, making it one of Ukraine's significant petroleum-product importers. The war in eastern Ukraine had a major operational effect. Stations located in territories no longer controlled by the Ukrainian government were lost, and the network contracted further after the Russian occupation of parts of eastern and southern Ukraine. SCM considered selling the business, and discussions with potential buyers continued for several years. In November 2020, Ukrainian entrepreneur Oleksandr Dubinin acquired the filling-station network. Dubinin became the group's sole ultimate beneficiary; the disclosed purchase price was not published, and the buyer stated that the acquisition was financed with a bank loan that was later repaid. After the ownership transition, Parallel pursued recovery and geographic diversification. The group reported investing approximately 350 million Ukrainian hryvnias in network development after 2022 and sought to expand from its historical eastern base into central and western parts of Ukraine. In November 2024, 31 stations were reported to be operating in Dnipropetrovsk, Odesa, and Kyiv regions, together with Ukrainian-controlled parts of Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia. By July 2025, the reported network comprised 76 stations in eight regions. Parallel's current model combines retail and wholesale fuel operations. It describes itself as a direct importer that works with manufacturers as well as international trading companies. Reported supply relationships have included Orlen Lietuva and trading firms such as Naftatrans, Oktan Energy, and Vitol, with products sourced from European, American, and Middle Eastern producers. Road transport is central to the logistics system, which the owner has described as involving approximately 500 fuel tankers. The group has also increased its emphasis on non-fuel retail. Filling-station stores sell food, coffee, and household goods, while distribution centers support a near-home convenience format. In 2025, Parallel introduced pilot Parallel Market stores. The company also joined the Plusy initiative connected with Ukraine's Ministry of Defense, offering participating military personnel benefits on fuel and selected convenience purchases. Parallel's history is therefore marked by regional station construction, acquisition-led expansion, quality and product development, ownership change, wartime contraction, and a recent attempt to rebuild through broader geographic coverage and diversified retail.
- 2025
Parallel Market pilots and network expansion
[1]The group piloted Parallel Market convenience stores and reported 76 filling stations across eight Ukrainian regions by July.
- 2022
War-related network contraction
[1]Parallel lost stations in territories outside Ukrainian government control as a result of the war and occupation.
- 2020
Oleksandr Dubinin acquires the business
[1]The filling-station network changed ownership from the SCM group to Oleksandr Dubinin.
- 2013
Parallel reaches 87th place in Forbes Ukraine's large-company ranking
[1]The chain was listed among Ukraine's large companies during its period of strong regional expansion.
- 2009
Gefest and PitStop stations enter Parallel management
[1]The company took control of 48 additional stations, increasing its controlled network from 20 to 68 locations and expanding into eight Ukrainian regions.
- 2006
First ZZZIP!! station mini-market opens
[1]Parallel entered convenience retail at its filling stations and established an internal petroleum-product quality laboratory.
- 2003
Mažeikių Nafta fuel-supply relationship begins
[1]Parallel signed a fuel-supply contract with Lithuania's Mažeikių Nafta and later secured exclusive sales arrangements for selected Ventus products.
- 1996
Parallel begins operations in Donetsk
[1]The company founded its filling-station business with the Nafta station in Donetsk and acquired a petroleum depot in Kuteynikovo village.
Products and positioning
A Ukrainian fuel-retail and fuel-importing operator positioned around direct and diversified fuel supply, regional station coverage, quality control, convenience retail, and service for motorists and nearby communities.
Fuel retail · 1996
Parallel filling stations
The core consumer-facing business is a network of branded Ukrainian filling stations selling gasoline, diesel, and autogas. Stations may also provide convenience-store purchases and ancillary motorist services. The network historically concentrated in eastern Ukraine but has been rebuilt and expanded into central and other regions following the 2020 ownership change and wartime disruption.
Motor fuel · 2007
Perfekt fuel
Perfekt is a Parallel fuel product line that included gasoline and diesel fuel. The products were introduced during the company's 2000s expansion and received recognition in Ukraine's 100 Best Goods of Ukraine quality competition.
Convenience retail · 2006
ZZZIP!!
ZZZIP!! was the trade mark used for Parallel's early filling-station mini-markets. The format broadened the business beyond fuel by offering food and household products to motorists and nearby customers.
Convenience retail · 2025
Parallel Market
Parallel Market is a convenience-store concept piloted in 2025. It represents the group's continuing effort to develop non-fuel revenue through food, grocery, and household-goods retail in a near-home format.
Fuel distribution
Wholesale petroleum products
Parallel imports and distributes motor fuels on a wholesale basis in addition to selling them through its own retail network. Its procurement model combines direct manufacturer contracts with purchases through international trading companies and uses road-based fuel logistics.
Marketing campaigns
- 2025Plusy military personnel benefits
Ukraine
Parallel joined the Plusy initiative associated with Ukraine's Ministry of Defense, offering active-duty military personnel benefits on fuel, coffee, and groceries from 10 September 2025.
Outcome. The company reported more than 24,000 purchases and more than 1.1 million Ukrainian hryvnias in savings by early November 2025.
- 2008FC Shakhtar Donetsk partnership
Ukraine
Parallel became an official partner of FC Shakhtar Donetsk, strengthening its regional brand presence in eastern Ukraine.
Outcome. The partnership is documented as part of the company's 2008 commercial development; detailed campaign performance is not available.
Brand decisions
2025
Pilot Parallel Market convenience storesProduct launchBackground
Parallel was developing non-fuel retail and a near-home convenience proposition alongside its filling-station business.
Action taken
The group opened pilot stores under the Parallel Market name.
Aftermath
The pilot strengthened the group's convenience-retail platform, although wider rollout details are not available.
2022
Rebuild and diversify the network after wartime lossesStrategyBackground
The war and occupation resulted in the loss of stations in territories outside Ukrainian government control.
Action taken
Parallel invested in network development and pursued expansion from eastern Ukraine toward central and other Ukrainian regions.
Aftermath
The company reported 31 stations in selected regions in November 2024 and 76 stations in eight regions by July 2025.
Reported network-development investment. Approximately UAH 350 million invested after 2022 (After 2022)
2020
Change ownership from SCM to Oleksandr DubininM&ABackground
SCM had considered selling the filling-station business after negotiations with prospective buyers lasting several years.
Action taken
Oleksandr Dubinin acquired the network in November 2020.
Aftermath
Dubinin became the group's sole ultimate beneficiary and subsequently directed network investment, supply diversification, and geographic expansion.
2009
Integrate Gefest and PitStop stationsM&ABackground
Parallel aimed to accelerate geographic expansion beyond its original Donetsk-centered network.
Action taken
Forty-seven Gefest stations and one PitStop station entered Parallel management.
Aftermath
The controlled network grew from 20 to 68 stations and expanded into eight Ukrainian regions.
2006
Add convenience retail and internal fuel testingStrategyBackground
Parallel sought to broaden its filling-station proposition and strengthen control over petroleum-product quality.
Action taken
The company opened a first ZZZIP!! mini-market and established its own quality laboratory.
Aftermath
Convenience retail and laboratory services became recurring components of the group's operating model, and the laboratory later received national quality-competition recognition.
Recent events
- 2025
Parallel reports 76 operating stations in eight Ukrainian regions[1]
Other
The group reported that its network had reached 76 filling stations across eight regions of Ukraine by July 2025.
- 2025
Parallel pilots Parallel Market convenience stores[1]
Product launch
The company opened pilot convenience stores under the Parallel Market name as part of its expansion into food, household goods, and non-fuel retail.
- 2025
Parallel joins Plusy benefits initiative for Ukrainian military personnel[1]
Campaign
Beginning on 10 September 2025, Parallel participated in the Plusy initiative associated with Ukraine's Ministry of Defense and provided benefits on fuel, coffee, and groceries to active-duty military personnel.
- 2024
Parallel reports network development and regional expansion[1]
Other
By November 2024, Parallel reported 31 operating filling stations in Dnipropetrovsk, Odesa, Kyiv, and Ukrainian-controlled areas of Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia.
- 2022
War in eastern Ukraine reduces Parallel's station network[1]
Other
The company lost filling stations in territories outside Ukrainian government control, and the Russian occupation of parts of eastern and southern Ukraine significantly reduced its operating footprint.
- 2020
Parallel filling-station network acquired by Oleksandr Dubinin[1]
M&A
Oleksandr Dubinin acquired the Parallel filling-station network from the SCM industrial group. The transaction value was not publicly disclosed.
Sources4 sources
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