Weekly Exclusives

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Jul 25, 2025

Photos of the week

📸 Ukrainians across the country took to the streets in large, peaceful protests against Law No. 12414. The law was passed on July 22, 2025, and signed by the President on the same day. Demonstrators in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Cherkasy, Ternopil, and other cities chanted slogans like “Veto the law,” “Ukraine is not Russia,” and “Hands off NABU.” Veterans, youth, activists, and civic leaders called on the government to repeal the decision, which they believe paves the way for authoritarianism and weakens the fight against corruption.

"Hands off NABU and SAPO": photos from the action near the Franko Theater in Kyiv 📸: Danylo Antoniuk, Ukrinform

The inscription on the building: "Veto the law"📸: Danylo Antoniuk, Ukrinform

More photos

Third day of peaceful protests under the sign of SAPO and NABU

Interview

Nariman Dzhelyalov, Ukraine’s Ambassador to Turkey

Nariman Dzhelyalov, Deputy Chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People, has overcome a difficult path in recent years. He remained to work in Crimea after Russia’s occupation, where he was arrested by the occupying authorities on ungrounded charges by the Kremlin in a counterfeit case involving the so-called “sabotage” of the gas pipeline in the village of Perevalnoye. He survived several years of imprisonment in Russia, and after his release was appointed Ambassador of Ukraine to Turkey. The release of the Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar politician from Russian captivity was personally requested by the President of Turkey, to whom Nariman Dzhelyalov presented his credentials a few days ago.

Ukrinform sat down with Mr. Dzhelyalov immediately after he officially took office to talk about his priorities and main goals in office, the weakening of Russia's posture in the Black Sea region and the Caucasus, the prospects for continuing peace negotiations on the Turkish "platform" and, in particular, the likelihood of a meeting between the President of Ukraine and the Russian leader, as well as about bilateral engagement in the field of defense industry and the rebuilding and restoration of Ukraine.

Arm Ukraine over 50 days. Key outcomes of the 29th UDCG meeting

The 29th meeting of the 50-nation strong Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG, otherwise known as Ramstein Group) passed without loud statements, but with important changes: the coalition of partners is moving on to a model of long-term war planning

On July 21, Ukraine's Western allies came together for yet another - the twenty-ninth - meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in the "Ramstein" format, which was held online under the shared chairmanship of Great Britain and Germany. It was attended by defense ministers from 52 countries. The State of Ukraine was represented by the newly appointed Minister of Defense Denys Shmyhal and former Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov – that time around in the status of Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council.

Ahead of the event, Kyiv, through the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrsky, traditionally announced its requirements that are vital for continuing its liberation war against Russia -- additional air defense systems and related missiles, long-range weaponry, artillery ammunition, armored vehicles, electronic warfare systems, radars, and a variety of drone platforms among other things.

Russian fake: Grenade replicas being sold in Ukraine as 'charms against military recruiters'

Pro-Russian media outlets, Telegram channels, and bots on X (formerly Twitter) are circulating a screenshot allegedly taken from the Ukrainian online marketplace OLX. The post claims that hand grenade replicas are being sold for UAH 2,500 as protective talismans against military recruiters. The caption further suggests the items are to be used as a "last argument" when encountering Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Center (TRSSC) officers.

This claim is entirely false. No such listing has ever existed on OLX. A search for "оберіг від ТЦК" ("charm against TRSSC ") yields no results on the site.

The image featuring grenades was digitally manipulated. A grenade missing its pin and fuse was artificially inserted using graphic editing tools.

Moreover, the supposed seller — listed under the username vova050152XXXX — is also fictitious. Using the Getcontact app, it was revealed that the phone number in question actually belongs to a woman named Maryna, not the alleged male seller.

Russian propaganda frequently fabricates fake ads on Ukrainian online platforms to spread disinformation. Ukrinform had previously debunked similar fakes, such as so-called "magical charms" allegedly being sold to help Ukrainians avoid mobilization.

The purpose of such disinformation is to sow division within Ukrainian society and shift attention away from resisting Russian aggression, instead attempting to pit Ukrainians against each other.

Earlier, Russian propagandists also spread false claims alleging Ukrainian troops were looting in the border areas of the Sumy region.

Andriy Olenin

More Fact Checks

Video

Ukraine amazes the world at IDEF-2025: drones, technology, a new defense force

For the first time, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine presented its own stand at the international exhibition IDEF-2025 in Istanbul. FPV drones, jet-powered interceptors, ground-based drones - Ukrainian solutions are admiring partners. Ukraine is not a victim, but a technological leader in the security sector.

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