Society & Culture

Over the past weekend, more than 150,000 people crossed the Ukrainian border in both directions daily, which is marks one of the record highs since martial law was imposed. This was stated on national television by the spokesman for the State Border Guard Service, Andriy Demchenko, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. “This is not a record for border crossings in general, but amid martial law, this weekend saw one of the highest figures. On Saturday, about 150,000 people crossed in both directions, in 50 to 50 ratio as per entry and exit, and on Sunday it was 154,000 in both directions,…

The Ukrainian Sports Press Association (USPA) has named Olga Kharlan, a fencer, as the greatest Ukrainian athlete of all time. This was announced on the official USPA website, as reported by Ukrinform. It is noted that Kharlan won a gold medal in the team competition at the Olympic Games in Paris, as well as a bronze medal in the individual event. With six Olympic medals in total, Kharlan has become the most decorated Ukrainian athlete in the history of the Games. Over 100 ASJU members participated in the voting. Read also: Ukraine’s star fencer Kharlan auctions off Olympic saber raising…

Russian propaganda is spreading information about the alleged preparation of a "powerful strike." However, it is important to remember that the danger persists daily, and the enemy does not warn about attacks in advance. This was noted by the Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD), according to Ukrinform. The CCD states that Russian propaganda claims to be preparing a "powerful strike" on Ukrainian "call centers" and mentions plans to use new North Korean ballistic missiles to target Kyiv. "The threat of missile strikes has existed 24/7 since the first day of the full-scale invasion. The aggressor does not provide advance warnings…

Students, who have been blocking universities for almost a month, gathered for a peaceful rally in the central square of the Serbian capital Belgrade on December 22. That’s according to the Balkan Observer, Ukrinform reports. It is noted that the aim of the rally was to draw attention to the protesters' demands, including bringing to justice those responsible for the tragedy in Novi Sad, where 15 people died as a result of the collapse of a canopy at the rail station, and prosecuting the culprits responsible for a violent attack on the students' rally. Farmers and actors who back the…

In Lviv, the families of prisoners of war held rallies to remind them of those who will spend Christmas in Russian dungeons. This was reported by Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi in Telegram, Ukrinform reports. “Today and yesterday, the families of prisoners of war held rallies to remind us of those who will spend their third Christmas in Russian dungeons. We have to do everything to bring our heroes home,” noted Sadovyi. Read also: Russians execute 177 Ukrainian POWs since war-start – Lubinets According to him, the symbolic tables and empty chairs became a call to memory and action. As Ukrinform…

In Los Angeles, the British singer Sting sang his hit song “Shape of My Heart” to the accompaniment of Ukrainian military and bandura player Taras Stolyar. According to Ukrinform, the NGO “Ukrainian Cultural Landing” reported this on Facebook and posted a video. “Ukrainian cultural diplomacy is when a world star performs a world hit to the bandura of a Ukrainian soldier. This is exactly what happened in Los Angeles during the American tour of the Cultural Landing,” the statement reads. At the home of actor Sean Penn, the Ukrainian military met with world music stars - The Killers, Queens of…

Members of Ukraine's Plast National Scout Organization handed over the symbolic Peace Light of Bethlehem to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on December 22. The head of state announced this on Facebook, according to Ukrinform. "I met with Ukrainian scouts who brought the Peace Light of Bethlehem. The light will also be passed on to our defenders," Zelensky noted. He thanked the scouting organizations for helping and caring for Ukraine. The transfer of the Peace Light of Bethlehem is an annual international scouting tradition held in the lead-up to Christmas. The initiative symbolizes goodwill and support, spreading a flame originating from…

Former absolute world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis (UK) commented on yesterday’s victory of Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk, holder of the WBA, WBO, WBC and IBO titles, in a rematch against Tyson Fury. As reported by TNT Sports Boxing, Lewis believes his compatriot did not work hard enough to defeat the Ukrainian boxer, Ukrinform saw. "It was a good fight. I would have liked to see Tyson to be a little bit more aggressive and go after Usyk a bit more. He won the first fight, so it was up to Tyson to go after him and make sure he wins the…

Reports about the rallies "against human rights violations in Ukraine" announced in several European cities is part of a wider campaign orchestrated by pro-Russian forces. That’s according to the Center for Countering Disinformation under the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, Ukrinform reports. It has been established that the accounts on X, calling for rallies in Cologne, Berlin, and Paris, are run by pro-Russian actors or have been associated with Russia’s propaganda machine. Some of those allegedly belong to Ukrainians “who fled mobilization” but they have either been inactive or circulated overtly pro-Russian content. Read also: Russia launches massive…

Absolute world boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk, after his victory over Tyson Fury, raised a unique saber of Hetman Ivan Mazepa above his head. According to Ukrinform, the press service of the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications reported this on Facebook. “Absolute world boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk defeated Tyson Fury in a rematch and raised a unique saber of Hetman Ivan Mazepa above his head. This gesture not only became a symbol of triumph, but also reminded the world of the Ukrainian people's struggle for freedom, which has been going on for centuries. The seventeenth-century saber is a unique artifact,…