Society & Culture

Russia has committed about 600 crimes against journalists and media in Ukraine since the launch of its full-scale invasion of the country. The Ukrainian Ombudsman's Office announced this on Facebook, Ukrinform reports. Verkhovna Rada Human Rights Commissioner Dmytro Lubinets and President of the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Media Corporation Stephen Capus discussed the release of Ukrainian journalists illegally detained by Russia. During the full-scale invasion, Russia committed about 600 crimes against journalists and media in Ukraine, including illegal detentions and kidnappings of media representatives, according to the report. One of those illegally convicted in Russia is Vladyslav Yesypenko, a Ukrainian…

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Richard Verma has said the United States is introducing extraordinary import restrictions on cultural values from Ukraine. He stated this at the Ukraine House in Washington, according to an Ukrinform correspondent. Verma announced that to help Ukraine protect its heritage, the United States is imposing emergency restrictions on the import of certain categories of cultural property from Ukraine as of today to prevent trafficking and to return looted heritage to Ukraine, to which it rightfully belongs. He emphasized that Ukraine's cultural heritage is a source of resilience of the Ukrainian people…

The Confederation of Finnish Industry in partnership with the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Finland kicked off a fundraiser for energy equipment and machinery under the slogan "Help Ukraine through winter". This was reported by Yle, Ukrinform saw. The campaign is aimed at helping Ukrainians survive the coming winter, in particular, by supporting energy generation and operation of power grids across country in the wake of devastation brought by Russian strikes. According to the head of the Confederation, Petri Vuorio, in addition to the energy infrastructure, Ukraine currently also needs urgent help in reconstruction, including that of hospitals, schools, and…

The Ukrainian demining machine “Zmiy” by Rover Tech can work in low and medium vegetation and is capable of destroying anti-personnel and anti-tank mines, as well as removing tripwires. This was reported by the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, Ukrinform reports. “Today we have received not just another 100% Ukrainian demining vehicle. The Rover Tech team was able to make a lightweight, fast machine that can withstand anti-tank mine explosions. Such innovations are Ukraine's response to the challenge we face: to return 80% of the land to productive use in 10 years. It is especially important that the machine is…

Under pressure from the Ukrainian community and diplomats, the Canadian organization that financed the Russian propaganda documentary "Russians at War" said it would no longer support it. This was announced by the Chair the Board of Directors of TVO, Chris Day. "We have listened to the Ukrainian-Canadian community and their thoughtful and heartfelt input. TVO’s Board of Directors has decided to respect the feedback we have received, and TVO will no longer be supporting or airing Russians at War," Day said. He added that "TVO will be reviewing the process by which this project was funded and our brand leveraged." Read…

Cherkasy Region Governor Ihor Taburets has called on Hasidic pilgrims to refrain from the pilgrimage to Uman for the celebration of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. He announced this on Telegram, Ukrinform reports. "As in the previous years of the war, we first of all recommend believers to consider the security situation in our country and refrain from visiting Uman. Regular Russian attacks and damage to civilian objects, provocations are not just scaremongering, but Ukrainian everyday life, unfortunately. [...] However, we understand that, despite the warning, some of the believers will still visit the cult place for them. So…

Ukraine will take part in the 69th Eurovision Song Contest that will be held in Basel, Switzerland, from May 13 to 17, 2025. That is according to Ukraine's Suspilne Kultura television channel, Ukrinform reports. Mykola Chernotytskyi, chairman of the board at Suspilne, said that Eurovision had long ceased to be just a traditional music competition for Ukraine. "This is an important platform for communication with the world. It is important that Ukraine does not leave the front pages of the global media, so that the world remembers the war that Russia is waging against us. Eurovision is a key element…

Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland has condemned the screening of "Russians at War" at the Toronto International Film Festival, Ukrinform reports, citing CBC. Freeland told reporters on Tuesday that both diplomats and the Canadian-Ukrainian community have expressed "really grave concerns" about the film and that she shares those concerns. She added that it was not right for Canadian public money to support the screening and production of a film like this. Commenting on the words of the author of the film, the former Russia Today director, Anastasia Trofimova, that "Russians at War" is an anti-war film, Freeland recalled that…

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that thanks to Timothy Snyder, an ambassador of the UNITED24 fundraising platform and Professor of History at Yale University, it was possible to collect almost $3.8 million for the "Safe Terrain" and "Safe Skies" programs. That is according to the presidential press service, Ukrinform reports. "Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with an ambassador of the UNITED24 fundraising platform and Professor of History at Yale University, Timothy Snyder. The head of state noted the ambassador's efforts in raising funds for the 'Safe Terrain' and 'Safe Skies' programs. Thanks to Timothy Snyder, it was possible to…

Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine Mykola Tochytskyi has discussed strengthening cooperation in the field of information policy and the fight against disinformation with Ambassador of Canada to Ukraine Natalka Cmoc and the embassy’s representatives.   According to the ministry’s press service, the meeting participants emphasized the importance of completing the construction of the National Holodomor-Genocide Museum, as it is an integral part of the struggle of Ukrainians to preserve their identity. In addition, they discussed cooperation between Ukraine and Canada in countering Russian disinformation and fake reports at the institutional level. “Ukrainians and Canadians share common values.…