News
Eurovision 2026: Director LELÉKA has accused the organisers of the performance’s failure
Ilya Dutsyk, the director of Ukraine’s performance at Eurovision 2026, stated that the contest organisers had failed to implement a significant part of the agreed technical plan. As a result, LELÉKA’s performance on stage differed significantly from the Ukrainian team’s original concept.
Ukrainian Statehood Day 2026: the history and significance of the holiday
Today, 15 July 2026, Ukraine is celebrating Ukrainian Statehood Day. The holiday highlights the continuity of Ukrainian statehood — from Kievan Rus’ to the restoration of independence in 1991 and modern-day Ukraine.
Public transport fares in Kyiv have risen to 30 UAH: how to save money and who is eligible for concessions
From 15 July 2026, a single journey on Kyiv’s public transport will cost 30 hryvnias. Discounts have been introduced for regular passengers, and journeys purchased at the old fares can still be used for another two months.
Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Kyiv and announced new defence initiatives
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has arrived in Kyiv on a working visit. She said that during her meetings she plans to announce new initiatives on cooperation in the defence industry.
The war is returning to Russia: Bloomberg has identified five challenges weighing on Putin’s regime
The Russian dictator Putin is facing the ever-increasing consequences of the war he has unleashed against Ukraine. Whilst at the start of the full-scale invasion the Kremlin managed to shield most Russians from its impact, the effects of the fighting are now being felt far beyond the front line.
Russia could lose 20 per cent of its grain exports due to the Ukrainian blockade of the Sea of Azov
Ukrainian strikes in the waters of the Sea of Azov, which have hit more than 100 Russian vessels over the past nine days, have paralysed operations at the ports of Azov and Taman, through which millions of tonnes of Russian grain were being exported.
Russia attacked a number of regions in Ukraine overnight; there have been fatalities and dozens of people have been injured
On the night of 15 July, Russian troops launched strikes on several regions of Ukraine. The attacks resulted in fatalities, with dozens injured, and caused damage to residential buildings, infrastructure and businesses.
The Ukrainian Navy has released a satellite image of the destroyed Russian FSB vessel ‘Izumrud’
The Ukrainian Navy has released a satellite image of the Russian border patrol vessel *Izumrud*, which was struck by a Ukrainian unmanned naval system. The image shows the damaged vessel moored at the quay.
Fedorov called for Syrskyi’s dismissal over overspending of 300 billion hryvnias, but Zelenskyy did not back him — media reports
Ukraine’s Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has faced fierce opposition from the military leadership over his reforms, despite successes in the development of drone technology and the digitalisation of the army.
Parliament has backed the decriminalisation of pornography at first reading: what will change
The Verkhovna Rada has approved, at first reading, Bill No. 15294, which abolishes criminal liability for the creation and distribution of pornographic content between consenting adults. At the same time, the bill increases penalties for child pornography, coercion and the sexual exploitation of children.
China has begun secretly preparing for Putin’s departure and a change of power in Russia
As well as engaging with Vladimir Putin and his inner circle, China is expanding its contacts with members of the Russian political and administrative elite. This is according to an article in *The Wall Street Journal*, which cites sources in both countries and analysts.
In Russia, state procurement for hospitals and emergency services has begun to break down due to a fuel shortage
In Russia, against a backdrop of petrol shortages, there has been an increase in the number of cases where state procurement of fuel for hospitals, utility companies, fire services and emergency rescue services has been disrupted. Suppliers are increasingly refusing to take part in tenders due to unfavourable contract terms.