On June 26, Sens Bank JSC announced its intention to enter into a voluntary medical insurance contract with Arsenal Insurance Company for 3,800 employees, according to the Prozorro electronic procurement system.
It is noted that Arsenal Insurance’s bid amounted to 34.175 million UAH, while the expected cost of services was 44.893 million UAH.
Other insurance companies participating in the tender include VUSO (33.506 million UAH), Kraina (37.878 million UAH), and TAS Insurance Group (44.312 million UAH).
As previously reported, “Arsenal Insurance” was the winner of a similar tender in 2024.
The development of local grape varieties in Ukraine is already moving from the level of professional discussion to practical implementation and is becoming one of the key areas for enhancing the competitiveness of Ukrainian winemaking, building regional brands, and promoting high-value-added products in domestic and international markets.
This was discussed during the National Roundtable “Local Grape Varieties: Heritage, Sustainability, and Rural Development,” organized by the UKRSADVINPROM Association to mark the 10th anniversary of the Association’s activities.
Participants in the event noted that local grape varieties are already becoming for Ukrainian producers not only an agricultural resource but also an element of cultural heritage, regional identity, and the future export specialization of Ukrainian winemaking. It is precisely around these varieties that the new identity of Ukrainian wine is taking shape—with its own history, origin, taste, and distinctiveness.
Volodymyr Pechko, Chairman of the “UKRSADVINPROM” Public Association, emphasized that Ukrainian winemaking already has its own foundation for development, and this foundation is linked to the promotion of domestic grape varieties. According to him, the flagship and ambassadorial varieties of Ukrainian wine could be, first and foremost, “Odesa Black” and “Sukholymansky,” which reflect Ukrainian breeding, authenticity, and the country’s wine identity.
Special attention was given to the creation of a Vineyard Register and the conduct of a comprehensive inventory of vineyards in accordance with EU approaches. This work is intended to serve as a practical foundation for Ukraine’s further integration into the European system of support for viticulture and winemaking, as well as for the potential use of EU financial instruments following the country’s accession to the European Union.
Pechko also reported that approximately 10,000 hectares are currently under vineyards in Ukraine. According to him, the reduction in vineyard acreage requires additional attention from the government and the industry, as it is impossible to ensure the stable growth of winemaking without preserving and developing the raw material base.
Interest from retailers and the HoReCa sector in local producers is already becoming an important factor for the Ukrainian wine market. Olena Gordon, a representative of the “Ukraine Food Retail Alliance” (UFRA)—which includes leading Ukrainian food retail chains such as ATB-Market, Silpo, VARUS, NOVUS, and KOLO—noted that local producers can enter retail chains provided they meet standards and are ready to scale up production.
This factor is particularly important for craft wineries, which are already creating a strong local product and have their own history, but face the chains’ requirements regarding supply stability, quality, safety, documentation, and production traceability.
Representatives of the restaurant and hotel sectors, in turn, noted that Ukrainian consumers’ interest in domestic wines is already growing. There is potential for promoting Ukrainian wine both domestically and abroad; however, strengthening the industry’s position requires systematic promotion—participation in international exhibitions, professional presentations, tastings, and “blind tastings,” which allow for an objective demonstration of product quality.
Wine tourism is already emerging as a distinct promotional tool. Festivals, tastings, and the development of wine routes help forge an emotional connection between producers and consumers, introduce Ukrainian wine to a wider audience, and create additional opportunities for the development of rural areas.
According to the participants, craft winemaking requires a distinct approach to regulation and development, as it cannot be evaluated using the same criteria as mass industrial production. For the sector to grow, it is important to foster a culture of Ukrainian wine consumption, support local producers, and develop the domestic market, which can serve as a foundation for future exports.
Mykola Patyka, Vice President of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine, highlighted the role of science in preserving and developing the genetic potential of Ukrainian grape varieties. Scientific support, breeding, research into the adaptability of varieties, and work with genetic resources are essential for ensuring that local varieties become not only part of the country’s heritage but also a competitive product in the modern market.
The development of local grape varieties is already laying the groundwork for the emergence of new regional brands and geographical indications, the revitalization of rural areas, and increased recognition of Ukrainian products in international markets. For the industry, this means a shift from the general idea of promoting Ukrainian wine to a more specific model—one with its own varieties, origin, history, quality standards, and distribution channels.
The “UKRSADVINPROM” General Association is an industry association operating in the fields of horticulture, viticulture, and winemaking. The organization brings together market participants, takes part in industry discussions, promotes the interests of Ukrainian producers, and supports the development of high-value-added products. In 2026, the Association celebrated its 10th anniversary.
GRAPES, local variety, UKRSADVINPROM, WINE, WINEMAKING, ПЕЧКО
All matchups for the Round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup, which is being held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, have been determined.
The first match of this round has already taken place: Canada defeated South Africa 1–0 and advanced to the Round of 16, where it will face the winner of the Netherlands–Morocco match.
All Round of 16 matchups for the 2026 World Cup:
June 28
South Africa – Canada – 0–1
June 29
Brazil vs. Japan
Germany vs. Paraguay
Netherlands vs. Morocco
June 30
Ivory Coast vs. Norway
France vs. Sweden
Mexico vs. Ecuador
July 1
England vs. DR Congo
Belgium vs. Senegal
United States vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina
July 2
Spain vs. Austria
Portugal vs. Croatia
Switzerland vs. Algeria
July 3
Australia vs. Egypt
Argentina vs. Cape Verde
Colombia vs. Ghana
Among the most notable matchups of the round are Brazil vs. Japan, the Netherlands vs. Morocco, France vs. Sweden, Portugal vs. Croatia, as well as the match between one of the tournament hosts, the U.S., and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Reigning world champion Argentina will kick off the knockout stage with a match against Cape Verde; Spain will face Austria; England will take on the Democratic Republic of the Congo; and Portugal will face Croatia.
The 2026 World Cup will be held for the first time in an expanded format featuring 48 national teams. A total of 104 matches will be played during the tournament, with the final scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
In Kotor, Montenegrin police, together with the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, detained a 39-year-old citizen of Iran and Turkey, who is wanted by American authorities in a large-scale cybercrime case, reports the Serbian Economist Telegram channel.
According to the police, the man was detained in the coastal city of Kotor at the request of the United States and the FBI. He is wanted by the court of the Southern District of New York on charges related to computer fraud, hacker attacks and the theft of personal data.
Investigators claim that since 2013 the suspect has participated in large-scale cyberattacks on U.S. infrastructure, including more than 150 American universities. The alleged damage is estimated at more than $3.4 billion.
According to the version of the Montenegrin police, the stolen data and access to compromised university accounts were used in the interests of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and other Iranian structures, including universities.
The case has been handed over to a judge of the High Court in Podgorica, who will consider the issue of extraditing the detainee to the United States.
An official comment from the FBI could not be obtained by Reuters at the time of publication.
The arrest in Kotor became one of the most notable international episodes in the fight against cybercrimes related to attacks on educational and research infrastructure.
In Kotor, Montenegrin police, jointly with the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, detained a 39-year-old citizen of Iran and Turkey whom U.S. authorities are seeking in a case involving large-scale cybercrimes.
According to the police, the man was detained in the coastal city of Kotor at the request of the United States and the FBI. He is wanted by the court of the Southern District of New York on charges related to computer fraud, hacker attacks and the theft of personal data.
Investigators claim that since 2013 the suspect has participated in large-scale cyberattacks on U.S. infrastructure, including more than 150 American universities. The alleged damage is estimated at more than $3.4 billion.
According to the version of the Montenegrin police, the stolen data and access to compromised university accounts were used in the interests of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and other Iranian structures, including universities.
The case has been handed over to a judge of the High Court in Podgorica, who will consider the issue of extraditing the detainee to the United States.
An official comment from the FBI could not be obtained by Reuters at the time of publication.
The arrest in Kotor became one of the most notable international episodes in the fight against cybercrimes related to attacks on educational and research infrastructure.
In Ukraine, accessibility is increasingly viewed not as a formal requirement for infrastructure, but as a systemic prerequisite for veterans and people with disabilities to return to active life, work, education, and participation in community development.
This is discussed in an article on the Events.org.ua platform dedicated to the All-Ukrainian Accessibility Week, which took place in May 2026.
The initiative arose from the personal experience of veteran Vadym Honcharenko, call sign “Kinolog,” who uses a wheelchair after being wounded. His son, Artem Goncharenko, and the project team emphasize that for people with disabilities, barriers include not only obvious obstacles but also dozens of small design choices in urban spaces: stairs with no alternative, dangerous ramps, curbs, narrow doors, a lack of elevators, or improperly designed tactile paving.
According to the organizers, it is precisely this experience that shows accessibility cannot be achieved through a “trial-and-error” approach by people with disabilities themselves. Every flawed architectural or service-related decision can pose a risk of falls, injuries, additional pain, or complications for them.
As part of the All-Ukrainian Accessibility Week, the focus was not on declarations but on practical actions. The initiative was joined by Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture, Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, Ivan Pul’uj Ternopil National Technical University, National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, the National University of Physical Education and Sports of Ukraine, the Drohobych National Pedagogical University, the Kyiv City Employment Service, the KNUBA Institute for Veterans, the Veterans Cluster of Ukraine, the Agency for the Reconstruction of Ukraine, business partners, and civil society organizations.
In May and June, a training course titled “Rights of People with Disabilities” also began; the organizers stated that its goal was not only to raise awareness but also to change approaches to decision-making. The program emphasized non-discriminatory procedures, appropriate communication, and a practical understanding of the needs of people with disabilities.
A separate module was dedicated to assessing the accessibility of urban spaces. On May 26, in the Teremky-2 neighborhood, participants, together with people in wheelchairs, followed actual routes to identify where formal accessibility measures were failing and which solutions required immediate change. Based on the results of this work, preliminary design solutions for KNUBA and NUFVSU were developed in collaboration with the Mlyn group of companies and the Shaw architectural firm.
Another area of focus was the topic of Smart City. The organizers emphasize that a smart city without accessibility becomes a service available only to a portion of its residents. Therefore, digital solutions, navigation, transportation, and urban services must be designed with the needs of veterans, people with disabilities, older adults, parents with children, and other population groups in mind.
A separate training session was held for employees of Kyiv’s Administrative Service Centers (ASC) on working with veterans and people with disabilities, crisis communication, and the use of AI tools in service delivery. The organizers also identified the following training areas: safety and first aid.
Neurologist Denys Boichuk led practical training sessions on first aid and how to respond to epileptic seizures. Participants in the initiative emphasize that accessibility applies not only to physical spaces but also to people’s readiness to act appropriately in critical situations.
According to the organizers, Ukraine already possesses the expertise, partnerships, and practical experience needed to develop an accessible environment; however, such efforts cannot be limited to isolated events. They must become an integral part of daily decision-making in the areas of management, education, architecture, and services.
The article also notes that the “Architecture of Resilience” Veterans Institute at KNUBA and the Veterans Cluster of Ukraine continue to develop educational opportunities for veterans, defenders, and their family members. These include training, retraining, courses, second higher education, master’s programs, doctoral studies, psychological support, rehabilitation, and participation in projects aimed at Ukraine’s recovery.
Partner universities in the initiative include KNUBA, the National University of Physical Education and Sports of Ukraine, the Western Ukrainian National University, Poltava Polytechnic, the Precarpathian National University, NUBiP, the Drohobych Pedagogical University, Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, Ivan Pul’uj Ternopil National Technical University, and the University of Educational Management.
The organizers emphasize that “tuition-free education” refers to participation in state compensation programs, grants, scholarships, and support from employers. Admissions take place during the standard dates of the main admissions campaign.
The All-Ukrainian Accessibility Week demonstrated that, for post-war Ukraine, accessibility should not be a separate social initiative, but rather an integral part of economic recovery, the labor market, education, urban planning, and service policy. Given the number of veterans and people returning to civilian life after injuries, such decisions will have a direct impact on employment, quality of life, and communities’ capacity for recovery.
accessibility, BARRIER-FREE, disability, GONCHARENKO, RECOVERY, ветеран
