Society & Culture

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has congratulated Ukrainians on Europe Day, highlighting the core values shared by all Europeans. He shared the message on Facebook, according to Ukrinform. [embedded content] Video: Zelenskiy/Official "Freedom, equality, democracy and respect for every life. Words that, no matter the language, are equally valuable and important for all of us in Europe. We proved that our unity is the greatest strength – when everyone in Ukraine came together for their future in Europe, and when all of Europe came together around Ukraine. Happy Europe Day! Glory to Ukraine!" Zelensky wrote. Read also: Germany’s FM: On Europe…

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, together with senior EU officials and diplomats, paid tribute to the defenders who died in the Russo-Ukrainian war during a ceremony at the Mars Field in Lviv. The head of government shared the news on Facebook, as reported by Ukrinform. “Today, we are in Lviv with our foreign friends and partners. At the Mars Field, we honored the memory of the defenders who gave their lives for Ukraine in the Russo-Ukrainian war. Ukraine and Europe are forever indebted to those who died for peace and security across the continent. Eternal glory to the Heroes!” Shmyhal wrote.…

Following the completion of exhumation work in Puzhnyky, Ternopil region, including DNA analysis and the reburial of the remains in a cemetery, the next phase of joint Ukrainian-Polish efforts is expected to take place at a location in Poland. This was stated by Ukraine’s Ambassador to Poland, Vasyl Bodnar, in a comment to Ukrinform. The Ambassador recalled that the Ukrainian-Polish team completed exhumation work in Puzhnyky, where the remains of at least 42 individuals were discovered. DNA analysis will now be conducted, followed by burial at an old Polish cemetery. The goal is to restore and dignify the burial site,…

On May 8, in Odesa region, in one of the villages of the Sloboda community of Podil district, a wall of a non-residential building collapsed on children. One boy died and another was injured. This was reported by the Main Department of the National Police of Odesa region, Ukrinform reports. Preliminarily, police found that brothers aged 4 and 7 were playing near a non-residential building and a wall collapsed on them. The younger boy died under the rubble, and the older one was taken to a medical facility where he is being treated. Read also: Ukraine’s forces down two ballistic…

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha congratulated Pope Leo XIV on his election, stating that Ukraine is already looking forward to a future visit from the new pontiff. He shared this message on the social platform X, Ukrinform reports. Sybiha noted that the election of His Holiness Leo XIV — the first American Pope — is a "historic moment for the Catholic Church and all who value peace, dignity, and humanity." “The election of Your Holiness gives us hope,” Sybiha addressed the newly elected Pope. “We rely on Your moral leadership to help end the war and achieve a just peace.”…

In Kyiv, the Flame of Glory was lit to mark the Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in World War II, and the exhibition ‘Our Victory’ was opened. The flame lighting ceremony took place as part of the opening of the banner exhibition ‘Our Victory’, a project by the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in World War II, a Ukrinform correspondent reports. "The cost of victory in World War II is incomprehensible to Ukrainians. Eight million of our fellow citizens perished. About seven million Ukrainians were mobilized during the war into the Red Army. Every second of…

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has congratulated Pope Leo XIV on his election to the Holy See and the beginning of his pontificate. Zelensky shared his message on Telegram, according to Ukrinform. “I sincerely congratulate His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on his election to the Holy See and the beginning of his pontificate. Ukraine deeply values the Holy See’s consistent position in upholding international law, condemning the Russian Federation’s military aggression the against Ukraine, and protecting the rights of innocent civilians,” the President stated. He emphasized that Ukraine hopes for continued support from the Vatican: “At this decisive moment for…

On May 8, the Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism in World War II (1939–1945), President Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska honored the memory of the fallen by laying flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Kyiv. According to the Office of the President of Ukraine, the ceremony was also attended by Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, Head of the Presidential Office Andrii Yermak, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, and representatives of diplomatic missions in Ukraine. Participants observed a minute of silence to honor the victims. In a message on…

To mark the Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism, Ukrinform is hosting an exhibition of archival photographs “Kyiv during World War II: Destruction and Reconstruction”. The exhibit contains photos dating back to 1944 from the unique archive of Ukraine’s National Information Agency Ukrinform that have not previously been shown to the public. “Today, the capital of Ukraine is going through numerous Russian air strikes. The Russians are not the first to be destroying Kyiv, and neither it is happening for the first time. During World War 2, eighty years since the end of which is marked this year, the…

President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the nation on the occasion of the Day of Remembrance and Victory over Nazism. Streaming from Kyiv’s main street, Khreshchatyk, the president stressed the difference between celebrating this day in Kyiv and Moscow. The president’s address was posted on his website, as seen by Ukrinform. "This difference is demonstrated by Russia every May 9. The difference between life on Independence Square and a parade of fear on Red Square. Columns of tanks, marching blocks of killers, staged crowds, half-lifeless faces that will condescendingly preside over this procession. The sect that is called "We can repeat." You…