Author: Roman Tymotsko

LVIV – With new COVID-19 cases once again surging in Ukraine, the government announced the country was now in a “yellow” epidemic level. The move, which imposes limits on public gatherings and large events and includes mandates for wearing masks and social distancing, came after a special sitting of the State Commis­sion on Technogenic and Environ­mental Safety and Emergencies on September 21.

KYIV – Some 7,000 supporters of LGBT rights marched peacefully on September 19 in Ukraine’s capital in what was this city’s 10th gay pride parade. Organizers of the march said that, as opposed to previous pride parades that did incur violence, this year’s march was peaceful with only a handful of minor provocations.

This was also the first time that organizers of the march expressed demands on the Ukrainian government. Those demands, published in a manifesto signed by 15 non-governmental organizations, asked the Ukrainian government to adopt a bill to combat discrimination and create a procedure for holding people who commit crimes motivated by homophobia, transphobia and other forms of intolerance legally liable.

LVIV – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he is determined to see his country host the Winter Olympics.

Speaking during a celebration that marked the 30th anniversary of the creation of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine on September 11, Mr. Zelenskyy said  he believes there will come a day when the Olympic Games will be held in Ukraine.

ODESA – The Odesa-based non-governmental organization Ukrainian Volunteer Service (UVS), a group that aims to promote a culture of volunteering, celebrated its fourth anniversary on August 29 with a gathering at the Odesa Fine Arts Museum.  The event drew together members, partners and participants of the group’s projects in order to highlight the successes and chart a course for the future.