Ukrainian government

The European Union has adopted new sanctions in response to the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia. The measures target those deemed responsible for the forced transfers, which Kyiv and international bodies have described as violations of international law. The move aligns the EU with allied governments that have already imposed penalties over the same issue, and it is drawing attention as part of the broader sanctions regime against Moscow.

Ukrainian authorities in Kherson say they carried out an operation delivering four tonnes of food to civilians facing shortages in Oleshky, a town in Russian-occupied Kherson region. The regional government published footage of the delivery, underscoring reports of worsening hunger and humanitarian conditions among residents living under occupation.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says he has instructed the government and parliament to cover all of Ukraine's existing financial needs for defense. He stressed that the government must fulfill its part of the task, amid continued pressure on the country's budget as the war with Russia grinds on and foreign aid remains uncertain.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the European Union and the International Monetary Fund understand Ukraine's need for help financing its budget deficit. The remark comes as Ukraine continues to rely heavily on Western financial support to cover government spending during the war with Russia. The term is circulating as news headlines based on a single Reuters report, and beyond Zelenskiy's statement there is little detail in the available posts about the size of the gap or any new funding commitments.

Russian strikes are increasingly directed at Ukraine's data centers, infrastructure that underpins government services, banking, and communications. The attacks fit a broader campaign against Ukrainian energy and digital infrastructure, aiming to disrupt state operations and public life. Analysts note that destroying data facilities can be harder to reverse than hitting the power grid, raising concerns about the long-term resilience of Ukraine's digital state.

An administrative building in Kyiv's Holosiivskyi district has been hit, according to Ukraine's national news agency Ukrinform. The report comes amid ongoing Russian strikes on the Ukrainian capital, with the district's local administration confirming damage to its premises. Details on casualties or the extent of the damage were not immediately available, but the strike adds to the pattern of regular attacks on infrastructure across the city.

A new survey shows corruption is the top worry for Ukrainians, with 50% citing it as their main concern. Another 40% said they are most concerned about large-scale Russian missile and drone attacks. The findings highlight that even during the full-scale war, domestic governance problems remain a leading source of anxiety among the Ukrainian public.

Ukraine's Prime Minister, asked whether the country's internet is under threat, said the government must "prepare for the worst-case scenario," according to Ukrainian National News. The remarks point to concerns over potential attacks on Ukraine's communications infrastructure amid the ongoing war, and the need for contingency planning to keep the country connected.

The Russian government has suspended audits for companies that have been targeted in Ukrainian attacks. The Moscow Times reports the move, which appears intended to relieve businesses affected by drone and missile strikes from regulatory inspections during recovery. The decision highlights how Moscow is adjusting oversight rules for firms operating in regions touched by the war.

Ukraine's state app Diia has temporarily stopped working, with electronic documents and a range of other services unavailable. Officials say the outage is due to technical maintenance work being carried out on the platform. Diia is widely used for digital IDs, documents and government services, so Ukrainians are likely to be affected in daily situations requiring identification.

A petition calling on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to hold a press conference for the country's independent media has gathered the 25,000 signatures required for official consideration. Supporters say they are now waiting for the president's response, arguing journalists outside government-friendly outlets deserve direct access to question him.

Norway is intensifying its diplomatic work to help Ukrainian children who were deported, many of them to Russia, return to their families and homeland. The initiative is being highlighted in connection with the United Nations, which has repeatedly called for the repatriation of deported children. Officials say Norway will push the issue internationally and support efforts to trace and bring the children home.

Ukraine's parliamentary speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk said young Ukrainians want to understand the reasoning behind government decisions. His comments, carried by Interfax-Ukraine, come as the country continues to grapple with the consequences of Russia's full-scale invasion, including wartime policies that directly affect younger citizens.