**Kyiv Pride March Takes Place, Gathers International Representatives, Faces Counterprotesters**
On June 14, Kyiv Pride held a parade with over 1,500 participants in the Ukrainian capital. The event was attended by representatives from the European Union, Canada, the UK, and other countries. However, the march was met with counterprotests.
The event was joined by various organizations, including Ukraine Global Scholars and the Student Parliament of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. Representatives from LGBT+ Military non-governmental organization (NGO) also participated in the march. The NGO’s head, Viktor Pylypenko, drew attention to the growing loss of military personnel and veterans who are dying at war while their families remain unrecognized by law.
**Raising Funds for Ukraine’s Military**
The Kyiv Pride event raised 20,000 hryvnia for the Serhiy Sternenko Foundation to purchase drones for the military. This shows that even in times of conflict, there is still a commitment to supporting Ukraine’s military and its people.
**Counterprotests and Concerns**
Despite international support, the march was met with counterprotests. Kyiv Pride expressed concern over the fact that those who incite violence have broader access to public space while participants of the march are surrounded by police and restricted in their route.
“This is another example of how hate speech continues to spread,” said a statement from Kyiv Pride. “We will continue to fight for equality and justice.”
**International Support**
The event was attended by ambassadors, including Canada’s ambassador to Ukraine, Natalka Cmoc. The march showed that despite the ongoing conflict with Russia, there is still international support for Ukraine.
“This event is a reminder of our shared values of freedom, equality, and human rights,” said Ambassador Cmoc.
**Ukraine’s Military Strengthens Defenses**
As tensions between Ukraine and Russia continue, Ukraine’s military is strengthening its defenses against Russian strike drones. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia launched 58 attack drones and decoys from multiple directions on June 14.
The commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrskyi, held a meeting to discuss ways to strengthen defenses against these attacks.
**Ukraine’s Military Successes**
Despite these challenges, Ukraine’s military has had successes in recent days. The Coordination Headquarters for Prisoners of War reported that three Russian air defense systems were destroyed using drones in the occupied Zaporizhzhia Oblast on June 14.
The suspects allegedly demanded $200,000 in exchange for facilitating the successful testing and adoption of five radio electronic warfare systems provided to Ukraine at no cost.
**France Bus Accident Claims Three Ukrainian Lives**
In a separate incident, three Ukrainian nationals were killed in a bus accident in France on June 13. President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the news in a statement on Telegram.
The group was returning from an educational exchange when their bus veered off the road in northwestern France.
**Iran and Israel Continue to Exchange Attacks**
Tensions between Iran and Israel continued to escalate on June 14, with both countries exchanging attacks more than 24 hours after Israel launched its first strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites and military leadership. Civilian casualties have been reported in both countries.
The United States is opposing a push by other G7 members to lower the price cap on Russian oil from $60 to $45 per barrel ahead of the group’s summit in Canada.
**Ukraine’s Military Developments**
Ukraine’s domestically developed short-range Sapsan ballistic missile has successfully completed combat testing and is in the process of serial production, Ukrainian media reported on June 13. A Russian SU-25 fighter jet reportedly crashed over Donetsk Oblast on June 13.
The conversations took place just hours after Russia launched its own missile and drone assault on Ukraine.
**Poland’s Military Command Reacts to Iran’s Drone Attacks**
“This is another case of provocative testing of the readiness of NATO countries’ systems,” Poland’s military command said in a statement. Amir Ali Hajizadeh was sanctioned by the European Union in 2022 for overseeing Tehran’s supply of Shahed-type drones to Russia.
The tensions between Ukraine and Russia continue, but it is clear that Ukraine will not back down in its fight for freedom and equality.
