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Funerals, beauty queens and bombs: The Ukrainian city that won’t let Putin win
Inside Lviv: Ukraine’s ‘Unbroken City’
Fox News Digital reports from Lviv, where military funerals, civilian weapons training and beauty pageants coexist as residents struggle to preserve normal life four years into Russia’s war against Ukraine.
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LVIV, Ukraine — As Kyiv takes a massive hit from Russia, another city seeks to carry on amid war. Four years into Russia’s war, the western Ukrainian city of Lviv is trying to master something impossible: how to live normally while surrounded by death.
At 11:30 a.m., the city stops.
Cars freeze in the middle of the street. Pedestrians pause on sidewalks. In the center of town, underneath the tall clock tower that rises above city hall, people bow their heads in silence as another military funeral convoy passes through the streets.
«It happens one to five times a day,» a local resident says quietly.
The war feels far from Lviv, until suddenly it doesn’t.
UKRAINE’S BATTLEFIELD IS TRANSFORMING THE FUTURE OF NATO
Residents stop in silence as a military funeral convoy carrying a fallen Ukrainian soldier passes through central Lviv near City Hall. (Efrat Lachter/Fox News Digital)
The city of roughly one million people sits near the Polish border, hundreds of miles from the brutal front lines in eastern Ukraine. But Russian drones and missiles still hit here. Air raid sirens interrupt coffee dates and children’s soccer games. Funeral processions cut through wedding traffic. Entire neighborhoods live between moments of beauty and grief.
«We lost approximately 2,000 citizens of Lviv,» Mayor Andriy Sadovyi told Fox News Digital during an interview at city hall. «It is a very huge price which we pay to our independence, to our democracy.»
Sadovyi has led the city for nearly two decades, except for a brief presidential run. Inside his office overlooking the historic center, he proudly points to the terrace where he has hosted world leaders and celebrities, including actor Tom Cruise. At one point, a large well-fed cat jumps onto his desk.
«This is my deputy,» Sadovyi jokes. The cat, he explains proudly, has become something of a city mascot. «He’s tough like a Ukrainian.»
But beneath the humor is exhaustion. Sadovyi says he realized at the beginning of the war that Lviv had a special responsibility. It was close enough to Europe to remain functioning, but close enough to war to understand what was at stake.
His answer was what he calls the «Unbroken» project: a sprawling rehabilitation and innovation effort aimed at helping Ukraine survive physically and psychologically.
The city built rehabilitation centers for wounded soldiers and civilians arriving from across the country, treating amputees, burn victims and trauma patients. Sadovyi says the municipality also dedicated 20% of its budget to supporting defense technology companies developing military solutions for the war effort.
«Every family in this city was affected by war,» he says. «We need to be strong. We need to survive. I’m building what is needed for that.»
‘A NEW KIND OF WAR’: INSIDE UKRAINE’S HIDDEN FACTORIES MASS-PRODUCING COMBAT DRONES
A shooting instructor stands inside a civilian training range in Lviv, where residents learn weapons handling, survival skills and emergency preparedness amid the ongoing war. (Efrat Lachter/Fox News Digital)
Yet survival in Lviv is not only about weapons or hospitals. It is also about convincing people not to give up on life itself.
«People are afraid to come here,» Sadovyi says. «But we need them to come.»
One of the city’s newest projects reflects that mentality. Part school, part shooting range, part patriotic training center, it was designed to prepare civilians for a country where war has become everyday reality.
Inside one classroom, dozens of teenage girls sit listening to instructors explain emergency survival skills. Upstairs, at the indoor shooting range, instructor Vitaliy proudly shows off rows of American-made weapons including AR-15 style rifles and pistols.
«It’s not as big as ranges in the United States,» he says apologetically.
On the wall hangs a shredded image of Soviet founder Vladimir Lenin, riddled with bullet holes from target practice.
Vitaliy laughs when asked about Russian President Vladimir Putin posters.
«We ran out,» he jokes. «They’re too popular. We can’t keep them.»
On the terrace outside, two wounded veterans practice archery.
One sits in a wheelchair after losing both legs in the war. Another leans on a cane. Both have become competitive athletes through rehabilitation programs.
NATO ALLY POLAND WARNS RUSSIA, BELARUS PUSHING ILLEGAL MIGRANTS TOWARD ALLIANCE — AND THE US
Weapons and helmets at a local center in Lviv where locals practice shooting among other things. (Efrat Lachter/Fox News Digital.)
One proudly explains he won a silver medal during a national contest. The other recently took gold and is now preparing for an international championship. Neither wants to talk much about what happened to them during combat.
Their therapy now is sport.
Down the road, another funeral begins. A military convoy carrying the body of a 32-year-old soldier drives slowly through the city center until it arrives at the cemetery.
The city’s military cemetery filled so quickly that officials recently had to open a new burial ground just weeks ago. Already, rows of fresh graves stretch across the hillside, above them blue-and-yellow flags and photographs of young men and women smiling back from before the war.
The grieving brother at the funeral says the fallen soldier never had time to start his own family.
Around him, families kneel beside the earth.
And still, life continues.
Children go to school. Mothers rush to work. Cafés remain packed. Street musicians perform in the old town square.
That same evening, inside the Lviv Theater of Opera and Ballet, hundreds gather for the «Miss Lviv» beauty pageant.
Young women dressed in glittering gowns pose beneath bright stage lights while music echoes through the theater. The audience is overwhelmingly female. Many of the men still in the city work in defense industries or hold exemptions from military service.
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The contrast feels surreal only hours after attending a military burial.
But for many residents, events like these are an act of resistance.
«We are trying to keep life going,» the reigning Miss Lviv says backstage before crowning the next winner. «I want the war to stop.»
One of her friends explains why gatherings like this matter.
The reigning Miss Lviv during the «Miss Lviv» beauty pageant in Lviv, as residents attempt to preserve normal life four years into the war. (Efrat Lachter/Fox News Digital)
«These are difficult times,» she says. «Doing normal things like this gives us a reason to dress up and enjoy ourselves.»
Nobody here believes anymore that peace can come in 24 hours. But many still hope that President Trump and the U.S. can help bring the war to an end.
By the time evening arrives, air raid sirens once again cut through the city.
At outdoor cafés, people barely react at first.
Contestants participate in the «Miss Lviv» beauty pageant in Lviv, as residents attempt to preserve normal life amid the ongoing war.
‘WRITTEN IN OUR DNA’: POLISH PILOTS WHO REMEMBER SOVIET RULE PREPARE FOR AMERICA’S MOST LETHAL FIGHTER JET
Parents continue watching children play near fountains. Young couples finish drinks on restaurant terraces. Residents wait to hear whether the threat is «only» drones or actual missiles before deciding whether to move toward one of the hundreds of shelters spread throughout the city.
That frustration increasingly extends beyond the battlefield itself. Speaking to Fox News Digital while the latest wave of Russian strikes battered Ukrainian cities overnight, Ukraine’s Ambassador to the United Nations Andriy Melnyk warned that the war was becoming even more dangerous for civilians.
Melnyk, a native of Lviv, described the massive Russian assault between Saturday and Sunday as «the worst and the most devastating Russian attack on the capital since the beginning of the large-scale invasion.»
Andriy Melnyk, Ukraine’s ambassador to the United Nations and a native of Lviv, speaks to Fox News Digital on May 26, 2026, warning that Russia’s latest assault was «the worst and the most devastating Russian attack on the capital since the beginning of the large-scale invasion.» (Efrat Lachter/ Fox News Digital)
Even members of his own family in Kyiv, he said, are now considering temporarily leaving the city because «it becomes unbearable to stay.»
In Lviv, residents repeatedly ask to remind the world that the war is still intensifying, not fading into the background. Melnyk called on the United States and European allies to take «bold actions» to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin and urged Western countries to provide additional air defense systems capable of intercepting ballistic missiles and drones targeting civilians.
He also criticized the United Nations for failing to stop the war, arguing that Russia’s veto power had left the Security Council effectively paralyzed.
Ukrainian female soldiers are seen before heading to the frontline as Ukrainian displaced civilians continue to swarm around the train station to flee due to ongoing Russian attacks, in Lviv, Ukraine on March 24, 2022. (Photo by Metin Aktas/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
On the overnight train leaving Lviv, most passengers are women. Border guards spend long minutes questioning the few men onboard, making sure they are not trying to escape mandatory military service.
The exhaustion is visible everywhere. Still, Sadovyi is full of hope.
«This city will have a great future,» he says confidently.
He believes the world will eventually come to Lviv not only to rebuild, but to learn.
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«To learn how to be unbroken,» he says.
Because, he warns, what happened to Ukraine could happen elsewhere too.
ukraine, wars, vladimir putin, military, technology
INTERNACIONAL
Presidenta de la Asamblea Legislativa y presidente de la Corte Suprema de Justicia de Costa Rica refuerzan coordinación institucional en temas clave para el país
La presidenta de la Asamblea Legislativa, Yara Jiménez, y el presidente de la Corte Suprema de Justicia, Orlando Aguirre, sostuvieron este martes una reunión de trabajo que marcó un nuevo acercamiento institucional entre los dos principales poderes del Estado costarricense. El encuentro permitió a ambas autoridades intercambiar criterios sobre una amplia agenda de temas prioritarios para el país, con énfasis en la seguridad ciudadana, las reformas al sistema penal, el fortalecimiento del régimen disciplinario judicial, la agilización de audiencias penales y el proceso para el nombramiento de magistrados suplentes.
Durante la conversación, Orlando Aguirre reiteró el compromiso del Poder Judicial de brindar acompañamiento técnico en el análisis de proyectos de ley que incidan en la administración de justicia. El magistrado señaló que la colaboración se enfocará especialmente en iniciativas orientadas al fortalecimiento de la seguridad ciudadana, la modernización de la legislación penal y la mejora de los procesos judiciales. “Durante el encuentro, reiteré la disposición del Poder Judicial de brindar colaboración técnica en el análisis de proyectos de ley que incidan en la administración de justicia, particularmente aquellos orientados al fortalecimiento de la seguridad ciudadana, la modernización de la legislación penal y la mejora de la gestión judicial”, expresó Aguirre tras la reunión.
La presidenta de la Asamblea Legislativa subrayó la importancia de mantener espacios de coordinación entre ambos poderes, en especial en el contexto de los desafíos que enfrenta el país en materia de criminalidad y eficiencia judicial. La agenda común contempla también el análisis de reformas al régimen disciplinario del Poder Judicial, con el objetivo de asegurar transparencia y eficacia en la rendición de cuentas y la gestión de los recursos públicos.
En relación con la elección de magistrados suplentes para la Sala Constitucional, Aguirre explicó que el Poder Judicial actuó conforme a las competencias que le otorga la Constitución Política y mediante un proceso de selección riguroso. “En cuanto a la integración de la nómina para los magistrados suplentes de la Sala Constitucional, el Poder Judicial actuó en ejercicio de las competencias que le atribuye la Constitución Política mediante un proceso de selección riguroso, orientado a garantizar la idoneidad y probidad de las personas postuladas”, afirmó Aguirre. El presidente de la Corte Suprema añadió que corresponde ahora a la Asamblea Legislativa ejercer la atribución constitucional de realizar la elección respectiva.
El funcionario judicial hizo hincapié en el compromiso de la Corte con la transparencia, la rendición de cuentas y el uso responsable de los recursos públicos. Además, remarcó la disposición del Poder Judicial de suministrar la información institucional que corresponda a través de los canales oficiales establecidos, asegurando así el acceso a datos relevantes para el debate parlamentario y para la ciudadanía.
El proceso de elección de magistrados suplentes ha cobrado especial interés en los últimos días, luego de que la Asamblea Legislativa devolviera la nómina de candidatos remitida por la Corte Suprema de Justicia, alegando falta de consenso en el seno del Congreso. Este episodio subraya la importancia de la colaboración y el respeto recíproco entre ambos poderes para garantizar la continuidad y eficacia de la justicia constitucional en Costa Rica.
La presidencia de la Corte Suprema expresó su confianza en que las instituciones continuarán actuando en el marco de sus competencias constitucionales y reiteró la voluntad de contribuir al fortalecimiento del sistema democrático. “Considero que estos espacios de coordinación y diálogo son importantes para fortalecer la institucionalidad democrática y contribuir a una mejor prestación de los servicios de justicia en beneficio de la ciudadanía”, concluyó Aguirre.
El encuentro entre Yara Jiménez y Orlando Aguirre representa un paso relevante en la construcción de consensos y en el desarrollo de una agenda compartida que responda a las demandas de seguridad, eficacia y transparencia planteadas por la sociedad costarricense.
corresponsal:Desde San José, Costa Rica
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Trump-backed ‘McCongressman’ wins Oklahoma Senate primary, vows push for stalled SAVE Act
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Deep in Trump country, a Republican vying for a seat in the Senate is wondering why his possible future colleagues can’t pass a key voter ID and citizenship verification bill.
Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Okla., cruised to a primary victory Tuesday night in the Sooner State, where he told Fox News Digital in an interview that the one thing he hears from voters constantly is whether Congress will pass the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act.
«They’re saying we need to work on, you know, the SAVE Act,» Hern said ahead of primary Election Day. «I mean, this is time and time again.»
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Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Okla., talks with reporters outside the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 11, 2025. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc)
But the legislation has been stuck in the Senate, where all Democrats have vowed to block it. A cohort of Republicans have voted against the bill in various forms, too.
«This is something I’m not real sure why Republican senators are not supporting,» Hern said. «I understand why Democrats don’t support it. They don’t support anything that protects America.»
Hern has served five terms in the House, where he’s moved up the chain into the fourth-highest role in House GOP leadership as House Republican Policy chair. He also ran for Speaker of the House when former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., was ousted.
His decision to leave the House and seek a seat in the Senate came after President Donald Trump nominated fellow Oklahoman, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, to lead the DHS.
HOUSE GOP LEADER LAUNCHES SENATE BID AS TRUMP TAPS MARKWAYNE MULLIN FOR DHS
Since jumping into the race earlier this year, Hern has amassed a bevy of endorsements from senators and Trump, who lauded the lawmaker as being «strongly supported by the fiercest MAGA Warriors in Oklahoma, and the most Highly Respected Leaders in the United States Senate!»
And Hern knows that Oklahoma is Trump country, noting that voters there «love the president. They love the fact that I support the president and I work with the president.»
Hern likely won’t face strong headwinds in November against one of a half dozen Democratic candidates seeking the nomination in the Sooner State, given that Trump has won the state — and all 77 of its counties — three times.
MULLIN PROMISES TO EARN DEM VOTES AS GOP COLLEAGUES POUNCE ON HIS SEAT
President Donald Trump spoke during a proclamation signing in the Oval Office of the White House on June 11, 2026, in Washington, D.C. (Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
That doesn’t mean he intends to rest on his laurels until November. Hern, who grew up without indoor plumbing, said he knows the value of work and preparation. It’s what landed him his own McDonald’s franchise empire in Oklahoma, where he owned 24 restaurants — his past life in business also earned him the nickname «McCongressman.»
«I just respect the idea of work. I think working hard gives you a chance to compete with anybody,» Hern said. «And so, same thing with the Senate race. I came out strong, set a tone from day one.»
«The president endorsed me in the first 48 hours because of the work I’ve done over the last eight years,» he continued. «And I think it goes back to that common word of work and working hard.»
And if successful in November, Hern isn’t shutting down the option of seeking a spot in Senate GOP leadership.
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Hern said that throughout his business career he would tell anyone that «if you wait till something comes available, and you start working hard, it’s too late because there are other people like me that have started out in the proverbial parking lot.»
«We’ve got people on third base who think they’re ready to be in leadership, and I’m running right past them, and they say, ‘Who’s this guy?’ And it’s a guy like me that’s just been working hard, positioning, building relationships,» Hern said. «And I think that’s important going forward, and we’ll see what comes open.»
midterm elections, donald trump, republicans elections, markwayne mullin, senate elections
El Senado, de mayoría republicana, rechazó el martes una resolución para impedir que el presidente Donald Trump ordenara nuevos ataques estadounidenses contra Irán, días después de que ambos países alcanzaran un acuerdo limitado para poner fin a meses de combates e iniciar negociaciones más amplias.
La votación supone un revés para los demócratas en su intento de obligar a Trump a concluir el impopular conflicto, a pesar de que algunos republicanos se han desmarcado de su partido y han votado con los demócratas.
El Senado aprobó por un estrecho margen una resolución similar sobre poderes de guerra el mes pasado, después de que cuatro republicanos se desmarcaran de su partido y varios otros se ausentaran de la votación. La Cámara de Representantes aprobó su propia resolución este mes para obligar a Trump a poner fin a la guerra.
Sin embargo, la resolución del martes del senador Raphael G. Warnock (demócrata por Georgia) fue rechazada por 48 votos contra 47 en una votación de procedimiento.
Cuatro senadores republicanos —Susan Collins (Maine), Bill Cassidy (Luisiana), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) y Rand Paul (Kentucky)— votaron con los demócratas a favor de la resolución. Todos ellos también votaron a favor de la resolución del mes pasado.
Los demócratas necesitaban que al menos un republicano más cambiara su voto el jueves para aprobar la resolución, ya que un demócrata, el senador John Fetterman (Pensilvania), se opuso.
Cinco senadores —Bernie Sanders (independiente por Vermont), Josh Hawley (republicano por Misuri), Mitch McConnell (republicano por Kentucky), Cory Booker (demócrata por Nueva Jersey) y Michael Bennet (demócrata por Colorado)— no estuvieron presentes en la votación, pero su ausencia no fue determinante.
Si todos hubieran votado como lo hicieron en resoluciones anteriores, la resolución del martes habría fracasado por 50 votos a favor y 50 en contra.
El Senado aún puede debatir la resolución sobre poderes de guerra que avanzó el mes pasado, presentada por el senador Tim Kaine (demócrata por Virginia). El líder de la minoría en el Senado, Charles E. Schumer (demócrata por Nueva York), indicó que consideraba la votación del martes como una prueba, ya que los demócratas intentan convencer a suficientes senadores republicanos para aprobar la resolución de Kaine.
“Estamos intentando que algunos republicanos más voten a favor de la resolución de Kaine para poder seguir adelante”, declaró Schumer a la prensa. “Nos falta uno”.
Los demócratas han forzado repetidas votaciones sobre resoluciones similares en ambas cámaras desde el inicio del conflicto, ganando poco a poco más apoyo republicano.
La Resolución sobre Poderes de Guerra de 1973, la ley que los demócratas utilizaron para forzar la votación, exige a los presidentes retirar las fuerzas estadounidenses de cualquier conflicto no autorizado por el Congreso en un plazo de 60 días. Trump cumplió el plazo el 1 de mayo, pero lo eludió argumentando que las hostilidades habían terminado cuando entró en vigor un alto el fuego en abril.
Los obstáculos para que el Congreso impida a Trump ordenar nuevos ataques contra Irán son considerables.
Ambas cámaras tendrían que aprobar la resolución de Kaine antes de que llegara al despacho de Trump. Es casi seguro que Trump la vetaría, lo que obligaría al Senado y a la Cámara de Representantes a anular su veto con una mayoría de dos tercios en ambas cámaras para que la resolución entrara en vigor. Ninguna resolución sobre poderes de guerra ha logrado jamás superar un veto.
(c) 2026 , The Washington Post
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El Gobierno modificará por decreto el sistema de selección de jueces de la Corte Suprema de Justicia
