Society & Culture

President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Pope Leo XIV for his constant prayers and sympathy for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. The head of state took to X to respond to the pontiff’s post, in Ukrainian, where he expressed his proximity to the “suffering Ukraine”, Ukrinform reports. "Thank you, Your Holiness, for your constant prayers and sympathy for Ukraine and our people. Together we must stop this arbitrary Russian aggression and protect innocent lives. We need a just peace. We will also be deeply grateful for your assistance in bringing back all our people – adults and children – who are being…

Pope Leo XIV met with Ukrainian pilgrims in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican on Saturday, June 28, telling the delegation of Ukraine’s Greek Catholics that their faith is being put to the test. That’s according to Vatican News, Ukrinform reports. The faithful of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church made their official pilgrimage on the occasion of the anniversary of the UGCC, which is marked under the slogan "Pilgrims of Hope". Having passed through the Holy Doors of St. Peter's Basilica, the bishops and faithful gathered in front of the main altar. At noon, Pope Leo XIV joined the group.…

Ukraine is actively seeking to engage American companies in humanitarian demining operations across territories contaminated by explosive ordnance as a result of Russia’s full-scale invasion. According to Ukrinform, this initiative was announced by Ivan Sopiha, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, during a meeting with representatives of U.S. businesses experienced in mine action across Asia and Africa. “Historically, most countries began demining only after hostilities had ceased. But Ukraine started clearing explosive-contaminated land during an ongoing full-scale war,” Sopiha noted. He emphasized that these efforts are essential for restoring life in liberated regions. Read also: Legend…

American journalist Zarina Zabrisky has produced a documentary capturing real life in the city of Kherson during the war. According to Ukrinform, the news was shared via Telegram by Oleksandr Prokudin, head of the Kherson Regional Military Administration. “Kherson: Human Safari is a must-watch documentary that, over 72 minutes, tells the story of Ukraine’s hero city—from the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion and subsequent occupation, to Kherson’s long-awaited liberation and the relentless attacks. And above all, it shows life that persists despite everything,” Prokudin wrote. He emphasized that the film features no actors—only real residents who live through the war,…

A total of 1,300 Ukrainian schools have already connected to the Mriia digital education platform, with over 5,000 more having submitted applications. This was announced on Telegram by Vice Prime Minister for Innovation, Education, Science, and Technology Development – Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukrinform reports. “As many as 1,300 schools will start the new academic year with Mriia. Over 5,000 more have applied for connection. In just one year, the educational ecosystem has grown from a pilot in six regions to implementation across 18 – from major cities to frontline communities,” the statement reads. According to Fedorov, during…

The Canadian organization Mriya Aid was established shortly after the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Founded by Canadian veterans (including those who served in the UNIFIER and professionals from the fields of management and security, the organization initially sent containers of various aid to Ukraine: drones, night vision devices, tourniquets, and medical kits. Over time, however, Mriya Aid decided to focus on a critical niche: supporting Ukraine’s demining efforts. Ukrinform spoke with Mriya Aid’s leaders, the husband-and-wife team of Lesya Granger and Lubomyr Chabursky, who manage the organization’s efforts for Ukraine from their home in Ottawa. WE DO…

As of June 27, as many as 59 Ukrposhta (Ukrainian post) branches continue to operate in the part of the Donetsk region controlled by Ukrainian authorities — 48 are stationary, and 11 are mobile units operating from vehicles. This was reported via phone to a Ukrinform corrspondent by Maksym Sutkovyi, Director of Ukrposhta for Donetsk region. “Ukrposhta continues to operate in the Ukrainian-controlled part of Donetsk region. Over the past four months, changes have occurred due to the situation on the front line. Currently, we have 48 stationary branches and 11 mobile teams in operation,” said Sutkovyi. He recalled that…

The head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, Tymur Tkachenko, presented gifts and commendations to children who helped clear rubble in the Solomianskyi district following the Russian missile strike on June 17. Tkachenko shared the news on Facebook, as reported by Ukrinform. “On June 17, a Russian missile struck a residential building in the Solomianskyi district. In the morning, schoolchildren were already helping victims and city workers. Our children. They organized themselves. They came on their own, wearing goggles, respirators, gloves. Of different ages. The youngest was just 9 years old,” Tkachenko wrote. He noted that although the children had…

The capital's community has delivered 1,700 FPV drones of various types to soldiers of the 25th Kyiv Brigade named after Prince Askold and the 27th Pechersk Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine. This was announced by Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko on Telegram. According to him, the 25th Kyiv Brigade received 700 FPV drones, including both daytime and nighttime models. Since the beginning of 2025, the city has allocated 70 million UAH from the municipal budget to support the 25th Brigade — funds intended for equipment and urgent military needs. An additional 1,000 FPV drones were sent to the front…

On February 28, 2022, while Russian troops were advancing toward Kyiv, trying to break through the capital’s defenses, Giuseppe Verdi’s “Don Carlos” was to be staged at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. But right before the start of the show, the audience on the other side of the Atlantic witnessed a choir rise and perform the Ukrainian anthem. That was just one of many gestures in support of Ukrainians by Peter Gelb, the manager of the world’s leading music center. Immediately after the Russian attack, he announced the severance of all relations with artists who supported the war against…