Society & Culture

Cuts in US foreign aid and sanctions imposed by President Donald Trump's administration against the International Criminal Court are hampering efforts to track down thousands of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia during the full-scale war. This was stated by Thordis Gylfadóttir, the Council of Europe's special representative on the return of abducted Ukrainian children, in an interview with Politico on the sidelines of a security forum in Aspen, USA, Ukrinform reports. Gylfadóttir noted that in March, the Trump administration stopped funding monitoring programs implemented by Yale University and other institutions as part of a general freeze on foreign aid. Despite…

The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) has released a documentary film The Battle for the Black Sea by director Oleksandr Nebylovych, showcasing unique maritime operations. According to Ukrinform, the film was officially presented by the DIU. In the documentary, fighters from the Nobody unit, part of Timur’s Special Unit, speak for the first time about the details of their missions to regain control of strategically significant Snake Island and the Boyko Towers. For the first time, Ukrainian intelligence operatives revealed exclusive footage of landings on the gas extraction platforms Ukraina and Tavrida. The film also highlights the preparation of combat…

The new government is set to repeal Order No. 1112 of the Ministry of Education and Science (MES), which regulates the procedure and conditions for obtaining general secondary education in schools under martial law. This was announced on Telegram by Mykhailo Fedorov, who is expected to become the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation in the new Cabinet. “On Friday, for example, MES Order No. 1112 — which has raised many concerns among local communities and MPs — will be repealed. Together with members of parliament, we’ll look for ways to achieve our goals: bringing children back…

In Lviv, doctors performed a complex ALPPS operation, growing part of the liver in the body of a 10-month-old boy. This was reported by the First Medical Association of Lviv on Facebook, Ukrinform reports. It is noted that a malignant tumor was detected in Demianchik at four months of age. The baby then lost his appetite, stopped gaining weight, and his skin turned pale. The family was referred to the Center for Cholestatic Diseases in Children. A biopsy confirmed that the boy had a malignant liver tumor, which occupied 8 centimeters of the 12-centimeter organ and had spread to all…

As a result of ongoing repatriation efforts, the bodies of 1,000 deceased individuals have been returned to Ukraine. According to Ukrinform, this was reported by the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War via Telegram. The Russian side claims that the bodies belong to Ukrainian citizens, including military personnel. The return of the bodies was made possible through the joint efforts of the Coordination Headquarters, the Joint Center under the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU), the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), the Office of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, the Secretariat…

In the first half of 2025, a total of 671 cases of rabies were reported in Ukraine, primarily among foxes, dogs and cats. The relevant statement was made by the Ukrainian State Service on Food Safety and Consumer Protection in response to an inquiry from Ukrinform. “In January-June 2025, a total of 562 unfavorable settlements were revealed with regard to rabies, which is 49 settlements less compared to 2024. At the same time, a total of 671 animals tested positive, which is 60 animals less compared to the same period last year,” the report states. In regional terms, most unfavorable…

An exclusive screening of the second part of the documentary film Operation Kursk took place in Kyiv. This was reported on Facebook by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, according to Ukrinform. The screening was attended by representatives of the Kyiv Association of Military Attachés and members of the diplomatic corps from Ukraine’s partner countries. The film showcases to both Ukrainians and the international community how Ukrainian fighters destroyed the enemy on its own soil, the decisions made by Ukrainian commanders, and why this operation became one of the most successful since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale…

The Verkhovna Rada has passed a law on military service under contract for persons who have reached the age limit for military service. This was announced by MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak (Holos faction) on Telegram, Ukrinform reports. According to the MP, 306 parliamentarians voted in favor of adopting draft law No. 13229 in the second reading. The law allows persons who have reached the age limit but are willing to continue serving due to their health condition to sign a contract for military service. Ukrainian citizens who have reached the age limit for reserve service may, at their own request, be…

Civil society organizations have initiated a cultural project called “Sky over Kherson,” which is based on 100 photographs of destroyed Kherson. Participants add their drawings and words to these photographs, creating a joint cultural product. It is spreading rapidly through the city's hubs and libraries, and a presentation to European partners is planned. This was reported to a Ukrinform correspondent by the curator of the project's artistic component, Olena Afanasyeva, head of the public organization “Center for Cultural Development ”Totem." “The Sky Above Kherson” is a cultural project that was born out of the experience of living under shelling. It…