Society & Culture

The Office of the Ombudsman is closely monitoring the exchange of updated lists with the Russian side in preparation for the next phase of returning Ukrainians from captivity. Officials are hopeful that significant progress will be made in the prisoner exchange process. This was stated by Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets, during a television appearance, according to an Ukrinform correspondent. “On August 14, for the first time, we succeeded in securing the release of a particularly difficult category of captives. We are grateful to the United Arab Emirates for their support. I sincerely hope this positive trend…

Ukrainian boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk visited wounded National Guard soldiers receiving treatment at one of the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ medical centers. According to Ukrinform, the Ministry reported the visit on Facebook. Usyk spoke with the soldiers, thanked them for their courage, and wished them a speedy recovery. “What you have done and continue to do is invaluable. Each of you is a true hero. I wish you a speedy recovery, because Ukraine needs strong and unbreakable people,” Usyk said. He also emphasized that victories on the battlefield and in sports share a common foundation: strength of spirit, self-confidence, and…

Mandatory evacuation efforts have begun in Druzhkivka and nearby villages in the Donetsk region, as families are being relocated to safer areas. According to Ukrinform, the head of the Donetsk Regional Military Administration, Vadym Filashkin, announced on Telegram that evacuations are underway in Druzhkivka, Andriivka, Varvarivka, Novoandriivka, and Rohanske. Approximately 1,879 children remain in these settlements. “People are being transported to safer areas free of charge every day, with the help of volunteers. Elderly residents, families with children, and even pets are leaving,” Filashkin wrote. He shared the story of a woman from Druzhkivka who is evacuating with her son,…

The Bring Kids Back UA initiative has expressed gratitude to U.S. First Lady Melania Trump for her concern over the destiny of Ukrainian children. According to Ukrinform, the statement was shared on the initiative’s official account on social network X. “Deep gratitude to the First Lady of the United States for caring so profoundly about the fate of Ukraine’s children. Each word of support brings them closer to their families, communities and home,” the statement said. Andriy Yermak, Head of the President’s Office, also expressed his appreciation, stating, “Thank you for your leadership!” Read also: Trump handed Putin letter from…

During talks with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Alaska, U.S. President Donald Trump delivered a letter from First Lady Melania Trump concerning abducted Ukrainian children. That is according to Reuters, citing two White House officials, Ukrinform reports. Slovenian-born Melania Trump was not on the trip to Alaska. In her letter, she raised the plight of children in Ukraine and Russia, the officials said. "The officials would not divulge the contents of the letter other than to say it mentioned the abductions of children resulting from the war in Ukraine. The existence of the letter was not previously reported," Reuters wrote.…

The Ministry of Defense and the Come Back Alive Charitable Foundation have signed a memorandum of cooperation. The document opens up new opportunities for joint projects aimed at strengthening Ukraine's defense capabilities and mobilization readiness, supporting the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and developing cooperation with government agencies, business entities, public and international organizations According to Ukrinform, this was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Defense. “We are combining the resources and energy of people who care about the fate of Ukraine. Together, we can do more for the front and for victory,” said First Deputy Minister of Defense…

The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense received FPV drones, Mavics, night vision devices, and a Hummer vehicle from Latvia. The equipment, purchased for EUR 120,000, which was raised through donations from Latvian citizens, was handed over to the deputy head of the Main Intelligence Directorate, Vadym Skibitsky, by Major Janis Slaydinsh of the Latvian National Guard, according to a Ukrinform correspondent. Vadym Skibitsky and Janis Slaydins According to Slaydins, in an effort to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Latvia announced a fundraiser, during which Latvians donated EUR 120,000 over two months. “With this money, we bought…

As part of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s Bring Kids Back UA initiative, three more Ukrainian teenagers have been rescued from territories temporarily occupied by Russia. The announcement was made on Telegram by Andriy Yermak, Head of the Ukrainian President’s Office, according to Ukrinform. Yermak noted that the children had lived in fear and danger for more than three years. Due to their pro-Ukrainian stance, they and their families faced open threats. Occupying forces forced them to study under Russian curricula, banned the Ukrainian language and symbols, and summoned them for interrogations. Read also: Another group of Ukrainian children returns from occupation…

The Kharkiv Regional Defense Council has ordered the forced evacuation of families with children from the village of Odnorobivka, located in the Zolochiv community of Bohodukhiv district, due to escalating security concerns. The announcement was made on Telegram by Oleh Syniehubov, head of the Kharkiv Regional State Administration, Ukrinform reports. “A decision was made to forcibly evacuate families with children from the village of Odnorobivka in the Zolochiv community of the Bohodukhiv district due to the security situation,” Syniehubov stated. He added that, as of today, two families remain in the village, including five children between the ages of 5…

Polish authorities have detained Ukrainian citizens suspected of vandalism for a period of three months. Journalists received the information from Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, according to Ukrinform. “According to preliminary information from the Consulate General of Ukraine in Wrocław, the suspects have been placed in detention for three months. A consular official is in contact with local law enforcement agencies, and a formal request has been submitted to clarify the circumstances of the incident,” the MFA stated. The Ministry added that the case is under close supervision by the consular office. Read also: Expert: Poland–Ukraine relations to remain stable…