Ukraine

Linguist Oleksandr Avramenko, the "millionaire teacher," has returned to the public sphere with a post about a bee and a fly. This is his first publication since rumors of his departure abroad.

Despite the rise in prices for services, there is an increase in demand for tour operator services in Ukraine. At the same time, early bookings for foreign trips are becoming more active.

Today, June 20, Ukraine conducted a prisoner exchange, bringing home servicemen who have severe injuries or serious health problems, among them defenders of Mariupol. The oldest released is 60 years old, and all of them will receive necessary medical assistance and rehabilitation.

The summer solstice on June 21 marks the longest day and shortest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. This is a time when the Earth's axis is maximally tilted towards the Sun, which has deep significance in many cultures and religions.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has imposed sanctions against 55 Russian legal entities and 56 individuals from the Russian Federation, as well as several companies from China and an enterprise from Belarus. The restrictions concern the development, production, and supply of components for UAVs.

Moscow's Lokomotiv received a three-year transfer ban and is obliged to pay FC Mariupol 50,000 euros for the transfer of Marc René Mampassi. This decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport confirmed the previous FIFA decision, despite Russian appeals.

The first place in "The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025" was taken by Maido from Lima, Peru. The top five also included Asador Extebarri, Quintonil, DiverXO, and Alchemist.

The Ministry of Justice of Ukraine filed 73 lawsuits, of which 70 have already been satisfied, leading to the confiscation of property from 87 individuals. Approximately 305 real estate objects, over 100 corporate rights, and thousands of units of movable property have been transferred to state ownership.

Cucumber prices in Ukraine are rising again, reaching UAH 30–50/kg, which is 13% higher than a week ago. The reason is a reduction in supply due to greenhouse clearings and unfavorable weather conditions, despite overall prices being 16% lower than last year.

China has become a key supplier to the Kremlin's war machine, reflected in the use of Chinese components in Shahed drones and other weapons. This enables the aggressor to intensify shelling of Ukraine, despite Western sanctions and Beijing's public statements.

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced that Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Chernyshov's business trip has been approved until the end of the week. This comes amidst a scandal involving the detention of Chernyshov's associates due to alleged corruption and his presence abroad during searches.

Lolita Kuzina was recognized for the third time as "Manager of the Year in Charity" at the "Charitable Ukraine - 2024" competition. This year's award was special, as Kuzina admitted to a difficult year associated with caring for her father with cancer and his loss.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation claims another prisoner exchange with Ukraine allegedly took place today. According to their data, the exchange was carried out in accordance with agreements reached on June 2 in Istanbul.

In the first four months of 2025, almost 16 thousand cases of acute intestinal infections were recorded in Ukraine. Ministry of Health doctors advise being careful with certain foods and not ignoring alarming symptoms, as acute intestinal infections can cause serious complications, especially in children.

Police uncovered approximately 100 cases of forged disability care certificates to avoid military service. Eight individuals have been charged with draft evasion.

In Ukraine, innovative wagons will again be able to run, Ukrzaliznytsia has approved the procedure for determining them technically compatible with the infrastructure. Owners are given 30 days to conclude relevant agreements.

In the south of Ukraine and Dnipropetrovsk region, the number of bites from venomous spiders, such as karakurts, tarantulas, and yellow sac spiders, has increased. Their bites cause severe pain, convulsions, respiratory problems, and allergic reactions, which in rare cases can be fatal.

Minister of Energy German Halushchenko confirmed that the issue of purchasing nuclear reactors from Bulgaria for the Khmelnytskyi NPP remains open, despite Bulgaria's statements about refusal. Ukraine plans to cooperate with the IAEA to promote this project.

HACC arrested Kyiv developer Serhiy Kopystyra, suspected of organizing a criminal scheme, with the possibility of bail set at UAH 100 million.

Minister of Health Viktor Liashko stated that the company "RIOLA-MODUL LTD", which won the tender for the repair of the "Okhmatdyt" hospital, is not involved in criminal proceedings. The decision on selecting the contractor is also controlled by donors.

The Director of the Legal Department of the National Bank of Ukraine, Oleksandr Zyma, continues to work, receiving a salary of almost half a million in May. He is accused of abuse of office, which led to grave consequences.

President Zelenskyy stated that Russia continues targeted terror, hitting Odesa and Kharkiv with over 20 drones. He called for a tangible response that would hit Russia's ability to finance the war.

In 2024, violence against children in conflict zones reached unprecedented levels, with a 25% increase in grave violations. Gaza, DRC, Somalia, Nigeria, and Haiti are of particular concern.

Minister of Finance Serhiy Marchenko expressed hope that the Verkhovna Rada will vote for changes to the state budget at the next session. The Cabinet of Ministers is preparing a comprehensive law on changes that will concern additional defense needs.

Electricity consumption corresponds to seasonal indicators. Ukrenergo urges to shift active energy consumption to daylight hours, using powerful appliances from 10:00 to 18:00 to help the power system.

From July 1, 2025, new requirements for mandatory vehicle technical inspection will come into force. Now, the entire technical inspection process will be fully photo- and video-recorded to overcome "fictitious" inspections.

The pharmaceutical company "Darnitsa" has launched a campaign against the "pharmaceutical mafia", accusing pharmacies of overpricing medicines. However, research shows that it is the manufacturers, including "Darnitsa", that have increased prices.

Large-scale searches for a 5-year-old boy who disappeared on June 17 are ongoing in the Kolomyia district of Ivano-Frankivsk region. Over four thousand hectares of territory, hundreds of people, drones with thermal imagers, and cynologists are involved in the search.

Ministers of the Baltic states, Scandinavia and Poland have agreed on a ban on entry into the Schengen zone for Russian citizens who participated in the war against Ukraine. The restrictions will concern visas and residence permits and will remain in force even after the hostilities end.

Hypnosis – therapy or show? An honest conversation with a hypnotherapist about working with the subconscious and what scares people.