Society & Culture

Nearly three years of the Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine brought many changes that require us to revisit the established approaches to organizing defence and ensuring security of democratic societies. Ukraine’s experience is very useful in this context. The Kremlin demonstrated that there is nothing that it wouldn’t militarize, that is, turn into an instrument for waging a war, in order to achieve its goals: it had weaponized the idea of the freedom of navigation, media, cyberspace, migrant streams, access to food and medicines, energy infrastructure, art and more. This approach is fast taking hold in the coalition of…

The Ministry of Defense has reconstructed 10 medical facilities in order to create a barrier-free space for the military. That’s according to the MoD press service, Ukrinform reports. It is noted that last year, 10 medical facilities in nine cities underwent reconstruction that included renovation of medical buildings, creation of barrier-free space in the premises, installation of modern elevator systems, etc. “Our task is to do everything possible so that every serviceman who seeks help from the institutions of the Ministry of Defense receives it in a convenient setting. This is more than about accessibility. This is about dignity, equal…

The Pechersk District Court of Kyiv has ordered pretrial detention for the former commander of the 155th Anna of Kyiv Brigade Dmitro Ryiumshyn, for 60 days with the alternative of a UAH 90 million bail. As reported by Ukrinform, this was announced by Suspilne. According to the suspect’s lawyer, Bohdan Zabara, the defense intends to file an appeal against the court's decision. The day before, the Pechersk court began selecting a preventive measure for Riumshyn, who is suspected of mass cases of desertion by soldiers under his command. The court decided to hold the hearings in a closed session, as requested…

At noon on January 22, several dozen Kharkiv residents unfurled a blue-and-yellow flag near the Derzhprom building, which was damaged twice by Russian strikes. This was reported by a Ukrinform correspondent. Participants of the event unfurled the flag from east to west, symbolically demonstrating the unity of the country's East and West. They observed a minute of silence to honor the memory of those who died in the war and thanked the Armed Forces of Ukraine for making it possible to celebrate today’s holiday. For the first time since the start of the full-scale war, the Day of Unity event…

In the case of the first murders during the Revolution of Dignity - Serhiy Nigoyan, Mykhailo Zhyznevsky and Roman Senyk - the investigation is working with the employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs who served on the days of the murders. This was reported in a commentary to Ukrinform by Olha Pavlyuk, an investigator with the State Bureau of Investigation for Maidan, and prosecutor Lyudmyla Havrysh, who is in charge of the procedural guidance in these cases. “The investigation continues to work with the Interior Ministry employees who were on duty on the day of the murders. A number…

Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine Mykola Tochytskyi had a phone call with his Hungarian counterpart Balázs Hankó to discuss the importance of developing cultural ties between the two countries. That’s according to the MCSC’s press service, Ukrinform reports. It is noted that the parties expressed their willingness to continue cooperation and to support joint initiatives that will promote the development of cultural relations between the two countries. In addition, Tochytskyi invited Balázs Hankó to participate in the Ukraine Culture Conference “Collaboration for Resilience.” The conference aims to unite international efforts to support, protect and promote Ukrainian culture…

Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets and Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi have discussed the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. Lubinets announced this on Telegram, Ukrinform reports. “I am working in Qatar. I had an important meeting with Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi. During the meeting, we raised humanitarian issues - the return of Ukrainian children and civilians home,” the ombudsman said. He noted that Qatar has successfully mediated the…

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Russia has committed more than 7,000 environmental crimes in Ukraine, resulting in losses exceeding EUR 72.9 billion. This was stated by Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources for European Integration Olha Yukhymchuk at a meeting with representatives of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Rome, Ukrinform reports citing the Ministry of Environmental Protection. “...In Ukraine, more than 7,000 Russia’s environmental crimes have been recorded since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. The damage exceeds EUR 72.9 billion, including land and soil pollution, damage to nature reserves and protected ecosystems, air,…

The United Nations will not stop providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine in the event of a pause in the war. Tom Fletcher, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, said this in an interview with Ukrinform. “At this stage, we do not know the future needs. What is clear is that we will not leave just because of a pause in the war. The humanitarian needs will still be great. They will shift, there will be work on unexploded munitions, work at the right moment to help people return to their homes. There will be huge amounts…

The experience and potential of non-governmental organizations built up as a result of Russian aggression will make Ukraine a leading exporter of humanitarian aid. Tom Fletcher, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, said this in an interview with Ukrinform. Commenting on the Grain from Ukraine initiative to supply grain to third countries, he noted that although Ukraine has been a recipient of support, it is also a big donor. Read also: Ukraine sending over 1.9M t of agricultural products to African countries “We will see Ukraine playing even more of a role as not just an…