Olha Nikitchenko

On April 30 in Kyiv, the initiative of the President of Ukraine, Bring Kids Back UA, will host Civil Society and Expert Day with the support of the @MFA_Ukraine, the Embassy of Canada to Ukraine, and the @EUDelegationUA. Civil Society and Expert Day will serve as an important preparatory step ahead of the high-level meeting of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children in Brussels on May 11, as well as a strategic bridge between practical experience and policymaking. The event will bring together the expert community — civil society organizations, researchers, and practitioners working on the tracing, return, and reintegration of Ukrainian children. It will serve as a platform where field expertise and operational realities are directly integrated into international decision-making processes. By bringing together a wide range of stakeholders — from OSINT investigators to reintegration specialists — the event strengthens the role of civil society as a full-fledged partner of the state and helps shape an expert foundation for decisions at the international level. Register for the event via the link in bio. #BringKidsBack

In any normal country, purchasing stolen goods is an act that entails legal liability. This applies, in particular, to grain stolen by Russia. Another vessel carrying such grain has arrived at a port in Israel and is preparing to unload. This is not – and cannot be – legitimate business. The Israeli authorities cannot be unaware of which ships are arriving at the country’s ports and what cargo they are carrying. Russia is systematically seizing grain on temporarily occupied Ukrainian land and organizing its export through individuals linked to the occupiers. Such schemes violate the laws of the State of Israel itself. Ukraine has taken all necessary steps through diplomatic channels to prevent such incidents. However, we see that yet another such vessel has not been stopped. I have instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine to inform all partners of our state about the situation. Based on information from our intelligence services, Ukraine is preparing a relevant sanctions package that will cover both those directly transporting this grain and the individuals and legal entities attempting to profit from this criminal scheme. We will also coordinate with European partners to ensure that the relevant individuals are included in European sanctions regimes. Ukraine counts on partnership and mutual respect with every state. We are genuinely working to enhance security, particularly in the Middle East region. We expect that the Israeli authorities will respect Ukraine and refrain from actions that undermine our bilateral relations.

Russia continues to keep Ukrainian prisoners of war in captivity – many of them for more than four years, since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale war. They are held in harsh conditions, facing torture, abuse, and inhumane treatment. Their families and loved ones are waiting for them every day. Ukrainians continue to remind: bringing everyone back is crucial. We thank international partners who make exchanges of POWs possible. All Ukrainian prisoners of war must return home. #FreeUkrainianDefenders

Forty years ago, on April 26, 1986, the world was shaken by the largest man-made disaster in human history – the accident at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Today, we honor the memory of the victims of this tragedy and the heroism of those who stood in the path of the invisible death. Yet, Chornobyl is not merely a story of technical failure; it is a verdict on a Soviet system built on crimes and clinical lies – a regime that modern-day Russia is attempting to revive today. The scale of the disaster was unprecedented: radiation levels in the destroyed reactor reached 20,000 roentgens, while a lethal dose is just 500 roentgens over five hours. The release of radioactive isotopes was 30 times greater than the power of the bomb dropped on Hiroshima. More than 300,000 people were forced to leave their homes forever, and a total of 8.5 million people across Europe were exposed to radiation. The Exclusion Zone remains equal in size to Luxembourg, and the area within a 10 km radius of the station will not be safe for human habitation for 20,000 years. The Soviet regime was guilty not only of the safety violations that led to the accident. Its true crime was the deliberate cover-up: the world remained unaware of the catastrophe for at least two days, while the authorities kept their own citizens in the dark for weeks. On May 1, 1986, while radiation was already everywhere, thousands in Kyiv were forced to participate in a demonstration. Today, Moscow continues this tradition of deception, using nuclear facilities as tools of blackmail. Russia has learned no lessons; instead, it has weaponized nuclear danger. The 40th anniversary is a time to honor our heroes. We pay tribute to the feat of approximately 600,000 liquidators who saved the world at the cost of their own health and lives. Today, a new generation of heroes has emerged in Ukraine – our energy workers and nuclear professionals. Throughout the winter of 2025–2026, under massive Russian attacks, Ukrainian atomic workers maintained control over reactors in extreme conditions following emergency shutdowns caused by strikes on substations and drone incursions. Their professionalism has once again saved a continent that stood on the brink of disaster. An act of particular barbarism was the Russian drone strike on the New Safe Confinement (NSC) in February 2025. The attack damaged both the outer and inner shells of the Arch protecting the destroyed Unit 4 and disabled the main crane system. Ukraine welcomes the leadership of France, the efforts of the G7, the EBRD, and the EU to restore this unique structure. We look forward to concrete commitments during the International Donor Conference to be held in Kyiv on April 26, 2026. Our call on this day is simple: it is time to end nuclear blackmail. We appeal to all states that value global stability. Your role in increasing pressure on the aggressor is critical. The international community must prove that it has learned the lessons of 1986. It is necessary to fully isolate the Russian nuclear industry, impose sanctions against Rosatom, and restrict the aggressor’s rights within the IAEA. Ukraine proposes amendments to the Agency's Statute to allow for the restriction of the rights of aggressor states that violate nuclear safety principles. Russia must immediately return control of the Zaporizhzhia NPP to its rightful operator – Ukraine. Every additional air defense system and interceptor covering Ukrainian cities and its nuclear plants is a guarantee of stability for Europe. Do not wait for a new Chornobyl. Act now to protect life.

The international community must act together to protect people and the planet from another nuclear disaster that Russia is attempting to cause. #Chornobyl40

40 years ago, the Chornobyl disaster shook the world. Today, the threat of another nuclear catastrophe is once again real. Russia is deliberately targeting nuclear facilities in Ukraine, holding workers hostage, putting millions of lives at risk, and causing huge economic losses.

Today we mark the 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster – a tragedy that exposed the devastating consequences of lies, negligence, and disregard for human life by Soviet authorities. Its lessons reshaped global approaches to nuclear safety and remain a stark reminder of the responsibility that comes with nuclear power. For Ukraine, Chornobyl is not only history. It is lived memory, sacrifice, and resilience. We honor the courage of those who contained the catastrophe and prevented even greater disaster, often at the cost of their own lives. Four decades later, these lessons are being challenged again. Russia’s reckless actions – from the occupation of the Chornobyl site in 2022 to its ongoing militarization of nuclear facilities, for example occupation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, and nuclear blackmail represent a direct threat to global security. Weaponizing nuclear risks is unacceptable and must be firmly opposed. There can be no tolerance for nuclear coercion or terrorism. The international community must remain united in holding Russia accountable, strengthening nuclear safety, and ensuring that the tragedies of the past are never repeated.

Forty years ago, the world faced one of the largest nuclear disasters – the fourth reactor of the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant exploded. A significant amount of radioactive material was released. Hundreds of thousands of people have been dealing with the consequences of that tragedy for years. To contain the radiation, a sarcophagus was built over the destroyed reactor. Later, more than 40 countries enclosed it with the New Safe Confinement to prevent further disasters. These two structures are what protect against radioactive releases and contamination. Their maintenance and protection are in everyone’s interest. But through its war, Russia is once again bringing the world to the brink of a man-made disaster – Russian-Iranian “shaheds” regularly fly over the plant, and one of them struck the confinement last year. The world must not allow this nuclear terrorism to continue, and the best way is to force Russia to stop its reckless attacks. We remember everyone who gave their lives while dealing with the aftermath of this tragedy. May all the victims of the Chornobyl disaster rest in peace. @United24media

It is very meaningful that this exhibition is shown in Vilnius. The dialogue between the Kharkiv School and Lithuanian photography has deep roots. Gratitude to the remarkable team behind this project and to all those in Lithuania who continue to help 🇺🇦 culture be seen and heard.

Yesterday, a truly unique opening took place at the Radvila Palace Museum of Art of 🇱🇹 National Museum of Art, bringing Lithuanian audiences into the world of Ukrainian Dreamers – one of the most distinctive cultural phenomena of Ukraine: the Kharkiv School of Photography.

193 Ukrainian defenders are coming home in a prisoner exchange – from the Armed Forces, National Guard, Border Guard Service, National Police, and State Transport Special Service. Among them are wounded soldiers, as well as people against whom Russia has opened criminal cases. Every return is incredibly important for all Ukrainians, especially for the families and loved ones waiting for them. We are deeply grateful to everyone who makes these exchanges possible – to our military units on the front line who keep building the exchange fund, and to all international partners who support Ukraine in this process. Ukraine continues to work every day to bring all our people back from Russian captivity.

During a meeting with President of Lithuania @GitanasNauseda, we had a detailed discussion on opportunities to further develop cooperation in defense production, including within the Drone Deal format. Ukraine’s experience in building a system to protect lives should be scaled across all of Europe, and we are ready for such a partnership. We also count on the earliest possible opening of negotiating clusters for accession to the European Union. We discussed this with Gitanas. In the first half of 2027, Lithuania will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, and we expect support on all issues related to our full membership. I thank Gitanas Nausėda for the meeting. I am grateful for the consistent assistance, support for the PURL initiative, and readiness to cooperate within the SAFE instrument. Today’s decision to unblock the €90 billion loan is also important.

Grateful to Speaker of the Seimas Juozas Olekas and the Members of the Seimas for this act of remembrance and solidarity. Above all – deepest gratitude to the Lithuanian liquidators. We remember all whose lives were lost, scarred, or forever changed by Chornobyl.

For Ukraine, Lithuania, and many of us in this part of Europe, Chornobyl is not distant history but personal memory. Today that memory feels painfully close: Russia brought nuclear terror back – forcibly seizing NPP and turning civilian nuclear facilities into instruments of war.

Today, as we approach 40 years since the Chornobyl disaster, @LRSeimas paid tribute to the victims of the accident at the Chornobyl NPP. The disaster was the result of criminal negligence, compounded by the Soviet authorities’ attempts to conceal the truth about the accident.

Heartfelt condolences to 🇺🇦innocent victims and their families following heinous russian attacks against civilians in Ukraine No efforts shall be spared in ensuring accountability and putting to justice all those responsible for these war crimes @LithuaniaMFA @OlhaNikitchenko

Deeply saddened by the terrorist attack in Kyiv today. My condolences to President @ZelenskyyUa and to the people of Ukraine. Our thoughts are with the families of the victims and wishing a swift recovery for those injured.

These crimes must not become routine. They must not be normalized. Pressure on the aggressor must be stronger, sanctions must be tightened, and Ukraine’s defence must be reinforced without delay. And accountability for these crimes must be inevitable.

Yet again, on April 16, Russia deliberately targeted what it has targeted throughout this war – ordinary people. The consequences devastating and the losses heartbreaking. Today, at 🇺🇦 Embassy, we lowered State Flag and opened a Book of Condolences in memory of every life lost.

Russia’s wave of terror against Ukraine is not accidental but part of its war strategy. Targets continue to be residential buildings with families asleep and critical infrastructure essential to the daily life of hundreds of thousands of civilians. Such attacks are planned in advance. This suggests that, when Ukraine proposed extending the Easter ceasefire and giving diplomacy a chance, the Russian leadership had already approved plans for further killings of civilians. This attack killed at least 15 people, including a child, in Kyiv, Odesa, and Dnipro. More than 100 were injured across the country. Russian brutality necessitates an immediate and decisive international response, including from the UN Security Council. At the Council meeting, scheduled at Ukraine’s request for Monday, April 20th, we will raise the need for the UNSC to respond strongly to the state terror by Russia, a country that still illegally occupies its permanent seat. The world must stand united in supporting Ukraine, raising pressure on the aggressor, and working toward accountability. Together, we must restore respect for international law, including the UN Charter, by ending Russian aggression against Ukraine.