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The wife of pro-Putin figure Petrosyan was refused a visa to Italy because of her support for the war in Ukraine
Tetyana Brukhunova, 37, the fifth wife of Russian comedian Yevgeny Petrosyan, has been refused an Italian visa. According to her, this is the first time this has happened in 13 years of travelling around Europe. Brukhunova had planned to travel to Milan for Fashion Week, but instead of a visa, she was handed back her blank passport with no explanation as to why her application had been refused. “I was, of course, very upset. No reasons given, no explanations. They simply returned my passport blank,” she complained on social media. Bruhunova later stated that she believes the refusal is linked to her name being listed on the Ukrainian “Myrotvorets” database. On the centre’s website, she is accused, among other things, of propagating Russia’s war against Ukraine, supporting Russian aggression and glorifying Russian military personnel. Bruhunova herself makes no secret of her support for Russia and stated that being included in the ‘Mirotvorets’ database does not frighten her. “99.9 per cent of well-known people in Russia, the country’s patriots, are on that list. So I can confidently say that I am proud of this,” she said. According to Brukhunova, she now supposedly understands why she was refused an Italian visa. At the same time, she assured that she is not upset about it and plans to travel to other countries. However, the mere fact that a person is listed in the ‘Myrotvorets’ database does not automatically constitute legal grounds for refusing a Schengen visa: the final decision on whether to grant a visa is taken by the consular authorities in accordance with the applicable rules and the results of the applicant’s vetting.
A series of talks on the history, propaganda and war in Ukraine is to be held in Sardinia
A series of public talks entitled ‘Conoscere l’Ucraina. Storia, propaganda e guerra’, dedicated to the history of Ukraine, information warfare and life in the country during a full-scale war, will take place in Cagliari for the first time in Sardinia. Three sessions will take place on 5, 6 and 9 October at the Fondazione Sardegna, Via S. Salvatore Da Horta, 2. They will begin at 5.00 pm and end at 7.30 pm. Admission is free, but the organisers recommend booking in advance. 5 October — ‘From Kievan Rus’ to the Trenches’ The session will explore history, language and literature as components of Ukrainian identity in the context of war. 6 October — ‘Fake News, Propaganda and the Truth’ Participants will discuss how information and propaganda have become part of modern warfare. 9 October — ‘Life During Wartime’ The programme will feature first-hand accounts, international law and stories from the front line. Historians, journalists, international analysts, legal experts, eyewitnesses and representatives from academia and civil society have been invited to take part. The organisers will announce the names of participants gradually in the run-up to each event. The series is organised by Associazione OCI – ODV and Liberi Oltre le Illusioni. The event is supported by the Municipality of Cagliari and the Region of Sardinia, as well as receiving financial backing from the Fondazione di Sardegna. The organisers note that the aim of the project is to present Ukraine through its own history, culture and contemporary experiences, rather than solely through a Soviet lens.
More than 50 UN member states have called on Russia to end its aggression against Ukraine
More than 50 countries have called on Russia to agree to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and to take a step towards substantive peace talks. The joint statement was issued ahead of a meeting of the UN Security Council by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, and the Ukrainian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Andriy Sibiga. In the document, the countries reaffirmed their solidarity with Ukraine and emphasised the need to uphold the UN Charter, in particular the principles of sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of states, as well as Ukraine’s right to self-defence. Separately, the signatories expressed deep concern at the intensification of Russian attacks on the civilian population and critical infrastructure in Ukraine. The document emphasises the need to respect international humanitarian law, protect civilians and hold those responsible to account. The countries also drew attention to the situation in the Black Sea. They expressed concern over Russian attacks, which are hindering Ukrainian grain exports and posing risks to global food security. The states supported efforts to reach agreements that would guarantee freedom of navigation in the Black Sea. The authors of the statement recalled that Ukraine had agreed to a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire as far back as March 2025. “We call on Russia to finally do the same as a necessary step towards meaningful diplomacy and negotiations leading to peace,” the document states. A separate paragraph concerns Ukrainians who have been unlawfully detained and deported. The countries called on Russia to immediately and unconditionally return all unlawfully detained, forcibly displaced and deported civilians, including children, and to ensure the return of prisoners of war and internees. “Ukraine wants peace. We want peace. Russia must cease its aggression, agree to a ceasefire and engage meaningfully in negotiations for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in accordance with international law,” the joint statement emphasises. The document was signed by more than 50 states, including most European countries, as well as Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, Honduras, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Panama and South Korea. The statement was released on the eve of a UN Security Council meeting on the topic of ‘Maintaining peace and security in Ukraine’, which Ukraine’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Andriy Sybiga, is due to attend.
The Council of Churches is appealing to the Pope to save Ukrainians in the occupied territories from starvation
The All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organisations has appealed to Pope Leo XIV, urging him to do everything in his power to save the residents of the occupied town of Oleshky in the Kherson region. According to the Council, the town is under a humanitarian blockade and on the brink of a humanitarian disaster. Various estimates suggest that over 6,000 people may remain in Oleshky and the surrounding areas, including around 200 children. Residents do not have sufficient access to food, drinking water, medicines and other essential aid. The Council of Churches states that the last food deliveries took place at the end of May 2026. According to their information, Russian military forces are preventing residents from leaving the town. Oleshky is situated close to the front line, so civilians face the daily threat of shelling and drone attacks. There is no electricity or gas supply, and critical infrastructure has been largely destroyed. In its appeal, the Council of Churches specifically asks Pope Leo XIV, the World Council of Churches, the World Evangelical Alliance and other religious leaders and human rights defenders to speak out and use every means at their disposal to prevent people from dying of starvation. At the same time, UN member states and the International Committee of the Red Cross have been called upon to facilitate a humanitarian mission and the evacuation of Oleshky’s residents to territory controlled by Ukraine. The Council of Churches pointed out that the Ukrainian side had repeatedly drawn the attention of international organisations to the situation in the town and had attempted to negotiate the evacuation of civilians. Oleshky also suffered widespread flooding in 2023 following the bombing of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Station. The town currently remains under temporary Russian occupation.
‘Mariupol before and after the Russian aggression’: Ukrainian prisoners of war to be discussed in Italy
On 11 September, the Italian town of Lamezia Terme will host a public event entitled ‘Mariupol before and after the Russian aggression’, dedicated to the plight of Ukrainians who have found themselves under Russian occupation and in captivity. The discussion will be attended by the mayors of Lamezia Terme, Philadelphia and Maida, as well as representatives of Italian and Ukrainian associations and political groups at various levels. A live link with Petro Andriushchenko, a former adviser to the mayor of Mariupol, is also planned. During the meeting, discussions will focus on the lives of Ukrainians under occupation, civilian and military hostages, as well as mechanisms for securing the release of people from Russian captivity and unlawful detention. Particular attention will be paid to the issue of guardianship for civilian hostages – what it entails, how it works, and why international attention focused on specific individuals can be an important tool for exerting pressure on Russia. They will also discuss the need to strengthen information security, political and economic support for Ukraine, and the preservation of social programmes for Ukrainians who have been forced to leave their homes due to the war. 🖼️ Two exhibitions — about those whose voices have been silenced Two themed exhibitions will be presented as part of the event: ▫️ ‘Civilian Hostages’ – about Ukrainians held captive by Russia; ▫️ ‘Olenivka’ — about Ukrainian prisoners of war who were held in a penal colony in occupied Olenivka. The organisers aim not only to shed light on the crimes of Russian aggression, but also to encourage more people to support Ukrainian civilian hostages. Among the main aims of the event are to find individuals and organisations willing to take at least one civilian hostage under their care, to draw attention to their stories, and to help spread information about the unlawful detention of Ukrainians. There will also be a separate discussion on programmes for Ukrainian children, which help them to feel safe and cared for again, and to remain children despite the war.
Against migration and in favour of closer ties with Russia: support for a new far-right party is growing in Italy
The recently formed far-right party Futuro Nazionale (‘National Future’) in Italy continues to climb the polls and now ranks fourth among the country’s political parties. This is reported by La Repubblica, citing a SWG poll. In the latest poll on voter preferences, the party – founded in June 2026 by General Roberto Vannacci – has set a new popularity record, approaching the 8 per cent mark. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s party, ‘Brothers of Italy’ (Fratelli d’Italia), remains in first place with 26.8 per cent. The Democratic Party is in second place with 20.6 per cent, whilst the ‘Five Star Movement’ (Movimento 5 Stelle) is in third with 12.5 per cent. Among centre-right parties, Forza Italia has 6.9 per cent, whilst Matteo Salvini’s ‘League’ has 5.7 per cent. The ‘Alliance of Greens and the Left’ received 6.8 per cent. What does Roberto Vannacci stand for? The Futuro Nazionale programme calls for a significant restriction on migration and a policy of so-called ‘remigration’. Vannacci proposes limiting the proportion of new migrants to 4 per cent, repealing the Decreto Flussi, stepping up the deportation of illegal migrants and those who commit crimes, and making it more difficult to obtain Italian citizenship. The party also advocates reducing the powers of the EU and strengthening Italy’s national sovereignty — particularly in matters of the economy, defence, energy and agriculture. Vannacci calls for a halt to further political integration of the European Union and for a reduction in European bureaucracy. On social issues, the party takes a conservative stance: it opposes the expansion of LGBTQ+ rights and the principles of ius soli and ius scholae, and advocates a traditional model of child-rearing and measures to support the birth rate. Furthermore, Vannacci opposes the continuation of military and financial support for Ukraine, and advocates the restoration of economic ties with Russia. It is worth noting that the far right is strengthening its position not only in Italy. For instance, on 6 September, in the regional elections in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, the ‘Alternative for Germany’ (AfD) party secured a historic victory, winning 43.8 per cent of the vote. Consequently, the rise of far-right and nationalist forces is becoming a noticeable trend in several European countries at once. It should be noted that parliamentary elections in Italy are due to take place in 2027, and Vannacci’s rapid rise in popularity is already posing an additional challenge for Giorgia Meloni and her centre-right coalition.
Artificial intelligence will help Germany identify Russian saboteurs
Following an attempted attack involving a drone carrying explosives at Leipzig/Halle Airport, Germany plans to significantly step up its defences against Russian sabotage, espionage, cyberattacks and other hybrid threats. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has presented a comprehensive security plan, which includes: 🔹 Artificial intelligence to detect spies and potential terrorists. The AI is to analyse CCTV footage, automatically recognise weapons and suspicious behaviour, and help identify individuals suspected of planning attacks or engaging in espionage. 🔹 Enhanced protection against drones. The German Federal Police will expand its mobile units, equipped with helicopters and specialised vehicles. They will be stationed in nine strategic cities — Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg, Berlin, Stuttgart, Düsseldorf, Leipzig, Hanover and Cologne. 🔹 Protection of critical infrastructure. Water utilities, energy companies and defence enterprises may be granted greater powers to respond to drones independently, without waiting for state forces to arrive. 🔹 Biometrics and CCTV. There are plans to make wider use of facial recognition technology, particularly at railway stations. 🔹 National Cyberdome. Germany plans to create a network of digital sensors designed to detect and block cyberattack attempts. “Russia’s hybrid attacks are a daily reality,” Dobrindt stated, emphasising that such threats could intensify. It should be recalled that on 1 September, Germany officially accused Russia of a hybrid attack on Leipzig/Halle Airport and announced appropriate measures.
Top 10 countries by number of Ukrainians with temporary protection
In the countries of the European Union, around 4.38 million people who have fled Ukraine due to the war are currently under temporary protection. This is according to data from the European Commission. The top 10 countries by number of Ukrainians under temporary protection are as follows: 🥇 🇩🇪 Germany — 1,283,000 people 🥈 🇵🇱 Poland — 967,000 🥉 🇪🇸 Spain — 267,000 4️⃣ 🇨🇿 the Czech Republic — around 390,000 5️⃣ 🇷🇴 Romania — over 200,000 6️⃣ 🇫🇷 France — around 140,000 7️⃣ 🇳🇱 The Netherlands — over 120,000 8️⃣ 🇮🇪 Ireland — around 100,000 9️⃣ 🇸🇰 Slovakia — around 100,000 🔟 🇦🇹 Austria — around 90,000 At the same time, the highest number of Ukrainians per capita is not found in the largest EU countries. Slovakia, Poland and the Czech Republic lead the way in terms of the number of recipients of temporary protection per 1,000 inhabitants. 🇮🇹 And what about Italy? It should be noted that Italy is not in the top 10 in terms of the absolute number of people under temporary protection. Over 170,000 Ukrainians have arrived in Italy since the start of the full-scale war — this is the latest official figure for the total number of arrivals provided by the Italian authorities for the period up to June 2023. According to Eurostat data, 51,105 people had temporary protection status in Italy as at 30 June 2026. In other words, around 170,000 Ukrainians arrived in Italy, and around 51,000 remained registered under the temporary protection scheme as of mid-2026. At the same time, in May 2026, Italy recorded one of the largest increases in the EU — the number of people receiving protection rose by 6,250, or 15.3 per cent, in a single month. 🌎 And what about outside Europe? 🇨🇦 Canada also remains a key destination for Ukrainians. Rather than the European temporary protection scheme, special immigration measures introduced following the outbreak of full-scale war are in place here, notably the CUAET programme. In 2026, Canada continues to allow some Ukrainians who arrived under these programmes to renew their work permits. 🇺🇸 The US is accepting Ukrainians under several special schemes. In particular, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Ukraine has been extended until 19 October 2026. In early 2025, USCIS reported that around 103,700 Ukrainians were eligible to re-register under TPS. Separately, thousands of Ukrainians are in the US under the Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) humanitarian programme.
Politicians in France have clashed over military aid to Ukraine
The presidential campaign has effectively kicked off in France, and the war in Ukraine is already becoming one of the key issues in the upcoming election. Two potential frontrunners — Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right ‘National Rally’, and centre-right politician Édouard Philippe — have exchanged sharp remarks regarding continued support for Ukraine. The dispute was sparked by a statement from Louis Aliot, vice-president of the ‘National Rally’. He stated that, should the party come to power, France should cease military aid to Kyiv. The politician explained his position by citing the difficult economic situation in France and a lack of funds for healthcare, education and other domestic needs. Édouard Philippe sharply criticised this stance. In his view, ceasing aid to Ukraine would effectively play into Russia’s hands and pose an additional threat to the security of Europe and France. “Turning off the tap” for Ukraine would be doing Russia a favour. “Weakening Ukraine is a threat to the security of Europe and France,” said Philippe. Marine Le Pen responded by stating that she was not in favour of prolonging the war, but rather of a diplomatic settlement. She recalled that, right from the start of the full-scale invasion, she had called for an international peace conference. Philippe, for his part, accused Le Pen of being too soft on Russia and stated that, should she come to power, Ukraine could be left without France’s support. 🗳️ The French presidential election will take place in spring 2027. According to current polls, Marine Le Pen has around 35 per cent support and is ahead of Édouard Philippe, who is backed by around 15 per cent of voters. For Ukraine, the outcome of the French elections could be of significant importance, as France remains one of the key EU states in terms of military and political support for Ukraine. Based on material from UNIAN.UA