Life in Ukraine

“I had a wonderful childhood, a great life, and good friends,” says Dany, a 27-year-old drone pilot, recalling her home city of Luhansk with a wistful smile. When Russia occupied Luhansk in 2014, she was just 16. Today, as Russia bombards Kharkiv and Kyiv—the cities she now calls home—Dany is no longer a child. Today, she serves in the Ukrainian Armed Forces and fights back. “I won’t let them take my home from me twice.”

While Ukrainian chess players fall victim to Russia’s ongoing invasion, the International Chess Federation (FIDE) is on the verge of fully reinstating Russia and Belarus in global chess—a decision that could forever stain the sport’s integrity and hand Moscow a major propaganda victory.

In the third year of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the daily routines of Ukrainians have adapted to new realities that have become second nature to them. What locals deem normal, might seem surprising for foreigners. Here’s what you need to know when travelling to Ukraine.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has driven millions of Ukrainians into poverty. While economic hardship pales in comparison to the loss of life, Ukraine has still faced immense economic challenges due to Russia’s aggression. Which sectors are affected most and what are the figures?

Despite relentless Russian aggression, Ukraine’s school year began on schedule on Monday, September 2, with 2 million students returning to classrooms. Since the 2022 invasion, Russia damaged nearly 3,800 schools, with 365 reduced to ruins, reported Ukrainian Human Rights Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets.

As the world transitions from the Olympic spectacle to the Paralympic stage, Ukrainian athletes, famed for their Paralympic prowess, are ready to shine once more despite the ongoing Russian aggression unleashed in their homeland.