Society & Culture

The prayer book for Ukrainian intelligence officers was published by military chaplains of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense. According to Ukrinform, the Main Intelligence Directorate announced this on Facebook. The collection of prayers, created to provide spiritual support to Ukrainian military intelligence officers, was presented by Father Kostiantyn Kholodov, head of the Military Chaplaincy Service of Military Intelligence. “We are fighting an enemy who seeks to poison our souls and break our faith. Protecting the spiritual peace of soldiers means protecting each and every one of us,” he emphasized. The chaplain presented the first three copies…

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has released exclusive photos and videos from the prisoner exchange that took place on July 4. The SBU said this in a statement, Ukrinform reports. "Today's exchange is the result of the work of the Joint Center for Coordinating the Search for and Release of Prisoners of War under the SBU, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, and other authorized bodies, which carried out the instructions of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky," the statement said. Following the reception of Ukrainian defenders at the border, the Joint Center, in cooperation with Ukraine's…

The National Police of Ukraine has recorded a decline in the number of crimes committed against children in the country. Vasyl Bohdan, head of the Juvenile Police of Ukraine, said this in an interview with Ukrinform. “In general, we continue to observe a decline in the number of crimes committed against children,” Bohdan said. Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, more than 11,000 crimes against children have been recorded. The highest number was reported in 2023, with nearly 4,700 cases. In 2024, that figure dropped to 3,400—marking a 26% decrease compared to the previous year and falling below pre-war…

Ukrainian soldiers released from Russian captivity will first receive medical care and rehabilitation, with the possibility of being sent abroad for further treatment. That is according to Andrii Yusov, a representative of Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Directorate, a Ukrinform correspondent reports. “There is one path now — by bus, or by ambulance for those who cannot be transported by bus. They are first taken to a specialized medical facility to receive initial care. After examinations, they are transferred to rehabilitation centers where professional post-isolation support is provided,” Yusov explained. Yusov emphasized that recovery includes both medical treatment and psychological rehabilitation. “If…

Israel has announced that it will deliver additional humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, including water supply systems for hundreds of thousands of people in eastern regions where infrastructure has been damaged by Russian shelling. The Israeli Foreign Ministry announced this on the social media platform X, according to Ukrinform. On July 3, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar informed the Ukrainian Ambassador to Israel, Yevgen Korniychuk, that he had instructed his ministry to provide Ukraine, through MASHAV (Israel's national aid agency within the Foreign Ministry), with an aid package that will provide drinking water systems to serve hundreds of thousands of people in…

Forced migrants from Ukraine make a significant contribution to the Polish economy, confirming the thesis that they have become an important and valuable part of Polish society and deserve appropriate treatment. This was stated in an interview with Ukrinform by Piotr Lukasiewicz, Chargé d'Affaires of Poland in Ukraine. "Between 2008 and 2019, about 13% of Poland's GDP was generated by Ukrainians living there, that is, before the full-scale invasion, as members of our communities, businesspeople, people working there, and so on. This is the real economic impact of the Ukrainian minority in Poland. Since the full-scale invasion in 2022, GDP…

In the settlements of Donetsk region, where forced evacuation of children is being carried out, there are still 38 families with 46 children. This was reported by Yulia Ryzhakova, head of the Donetsk Regional Military Administration's Children's Affairs Service, during an online briefing, according to a Ukrinform correspondent. “In five settlements where compulsory evacuation with parents or guardians and other legal representatives has been announced, 46 children from 38 families remain,” Ryzhakova said. She specified that most of the children are in the Dobropillia city territorial community, where there are 27 children, and in the Druzhkivka city territorial community, where…

During a working visit to the Donetsk region, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal presented members of the 10th Separate Mountain Assault Brigade “Edelweiss” with certificates of honor from the Cabinet of Ministers, along with valuable gifts. The Prime Minister shared this on Telegram, as reported by Ukrinform. “During my working trip to the Donetsk region, I met with soldiers who are constantly on the front line. Our infantry, our assault troops—true heroes,” Shmyhal stated. In addition to the awards ceremony, Shmyhal held discussions with service members about critical issues requiring government attention. “I am deeply grateful for their courage,…

While in Denmark, President Volodymyr Zelensky presented the "Future of Ukraine" award to 11-year-old volunteer Jens Fogh Thomsen. Zelensky announced this on Telegram, Ukrinform reports. "In Denmark, I presented a special award – the 'Future of Ukraine' distinction – to 11-year-old volunteer Jens Fogh Thomsen. Since last year, he has been handcrafting Easter decorations and, through their sale, has raised over 34,000 Danish kroner to purchase school backpacks and supplies for Ukrainian children affected by the war," the president wrote. [embedded content] Video: Zelenskiy / Official According to Zelensky, Jens is the first foreigner to receive the award. "We will…

In Kyiv, a farewell ceremony was held for F-16 pilot Maksym Ustymenko, a Hero of Ukraine, who was killed while defending the country during a large-scale Russian air attack on the night of June 29. According to an Ukrinform correspondent, the farewell ceremony took place at St. Michael’s Cathedral, attended by dozens of colleagues, friends, and family members. Following the service, mourners marched in solemn tribute to Maidan Nezalezhnosti, where the commemoration continued. According to Ukraine’s Air Force, Ustymenko successfully shot down seven enemy air targets during the attack. His aircraft sustained critical damage while intercepting the final target. He…