What is it like to live under a constant threat of Russian invasion? What are the possible scenarios in the coming weeks? What do Ukrainians think of the possible threat? Is the situation consolidating Ukrainian society or fragmenting it? Why have so many foreign leaders and diplomats travelled to Ukraine? What do Ukrainians think of the Minsk agreements? – Tune into our regular “Explaining Ukraine” podcast by UkraineWorld.org. Support us at patreon.com/ukraineworld

Ep. № 68 - Ukraine in early 2022: living under the threat of Russian invasion

In recent months, Ukrainian deep strikes into Russia have outnumbered Russian strikes on Ukraine. Ukraine has managed to build its military capacities practically from scratch, while Russia has made very little technological progress since 2022. Furthermore, Russia is losing more and more people on the frontline, even as the pace of its advance slows down. Does this mean Ukraine can win the war?

***
This is the “Explaining Ukraine” podcast. 

Host: Volodymyr Yermolenko, a Ukrainian philosopher, chief editor of UkraineWorld, and president of PEN Ukraine.

Guest: Lesia Ogryzko, a Ukrainian expert in international relations and security, the co-founder and director of the Sahaidachnyi Security Centre, a Ukrainian think tank. She is also the head of the reforms support office of Ukraine’s defence ministry.

Sahaidachnyi Security Centre: https://sahasec.org

***
Explaining Ukraine is produced by UkraineWorld and brought to you by Internews Ukraine.

This episode is also produced in cooperation with Politeia, a Ukrainian NGO. 

***
Listen on various platforms: https://li.sten.to/explaining-ukraine 
UkraineWorld: https://ukraineworld.org/en 

***
SUPPORT: 
You can support our work on https://www.patreon.com/c/ukraineworld  
Your help is crucial, as we rely heavily on crowdfunding.

You can also contribute to our volunteer missions to frontline areas in Ukraine, where we deliver aid to both soldiers and civilians.
Donations are welcome via PayPal at: ukraine.resisting@gmail.com.

***
CONTENTS:

0:03 - Introduction: Ukraine's recent military successes, including deep strikes and self-built capacities, raise the question: can Ukraine win the war?
2:05 - Why Ukrainians believe Russia can be defeated: a historical perspective of Russia’s previous collapses
5:01 - How warfare innovation on the front line is rapidly accelerating, with a 6-8 week feedback loop for technology deployment. 
9:09 - Why Ukraine has to adopt an asymmetric strategy for Russia's "terminal defeat," dismantling its war-waging capacity, rather than fighting a symmetrical "small Soviet army against a big Soviet army" war.
10:36 - Asymmetric pillars include next-generation deep strikes over 3,000 km into Russia and scaled special operations/cognitive warfare within Russian territory.
13:02 -  How Western partners show surprising hesitancy despite NATO's 2022 concept identifying Russia as the primary threat, and Russia's systemic sub-threshold warfare across Europe is often met with non-responsive actions.
16:34 - Why ignoring Russian hybrid attacks won't deter them; Russia, acting on "Gopnik logic," only retreats when forcefully confronted.
21:01 - Risks of a broader conflict and Euroscepticism in Ukraine
24:10 - Ukraine's deep strikes outnumbered Russia's in March 2026, significantly decreasing Russia's oil refining and export capabilities.
31:26 - A "golden opportunity" exists for Ukraine and Europe to partner, when Ukraine would provide battlefield innovation, and Europe would scale production.

How Russia can be defeated - with Lesia Ogryzko

Ukraine has won time for Europe. A vast amount of time. But the price of this time has been tremendous. It is measured not in money, but in human lives. Dozens of towns and hundreds of villages have been destroyed. Occupied territories, occupied people, occupied lives—an occupied future.

Europe helps, and it helps a lot. The Ukrainian economy would be in a far more difficult situation without European financial aid. Europe has also provided armaments and political support. Yet, many in Ukraine feel that the time we won for Europe is not being used properly—or is even being wasted. It seems Europe has yet to learn from the Ukrainian experience, our successes, and our mistakes. The continent remains far from becoming a true security union, and its defense industries still behave as if we are living in a time of peace—or as if they are preparing for the wars of the past, not the future.

Is this diagnosis correct? And what must Europe do to respond to these challenges more effectively?
You’re listening to the Explaining Ukraine podcast.

***
Explaining Ukraine is a project by UkraineWorld, an English-language media outlet run by Internews Ukraine. 

Host: Volodymyr Yermolenko, a Ukrainian philosopher, Chief Editor of UkraineWorld, and President of PEN Ukraine.

Guest: Dr. Moritz Schularick, President of the Kiel Institute for the World Economy in Germany and Professor of Economics at Sciences Po in France. 

A report by Kiel Institute that we discuss in this podcast: https://www.kielinstitut.de/publications/time-to-spend-smart-19558/

***
This episode was produced in cooperation with Politeia, a Ukrainian NGO.

***
Listen on various platforms: https://li.sten.to/explaining-ukraine 
UkraineWorld: https://ukraineworld.org/en 

***
SUPPORT: 
You can support our work on https://www.patreon.com/c/ukraineworld  
Your help is crucial, as we rely heavily on crowdfunding.

You can also contribute to our volunteer missions to frontline areas in Ukraine, where we deliver aid to both soldiers and civilians.

Donations are welcome via PayPal at: ukraine.resisting@gmail.com.

***
CONTENTS:
00:03 - Intro. Ukraine has won time for Europe, but is Europe using this time properly?
03:59 - Is Europe's financial support for Ukraine growing, and why does its defense potential not match its perceived strength?
07:59 - What are the fundamental inefficiencies undermining Europe's significant defense spending? 
11:59 - How can Europe "spend smarter" by leveraging its economic strengths in defense? 
15:59 - How can Europe overcome national protectionism and unify its fragmented defense industry? The challenge is to move beyond expensive national procurement and "interoperability" to achieve true "interchangeability" and standardization across European militaries. 
19:59 - Why is Europe's procurement process so slow, and how does it hinder adaptation to wartime needs? 
23:59 - Can promoting horizontal cooperation and flexible funding overcome bureaucratic hurdles in European defense? Suggestions include establishing fast-track wartime procedures and promoting direct, horizontal relations between European startups and Ukrainian military units, possibly with flexible funds managed by private entities. 
27:59 - What is the economic rationale for joint European defense financing through shared borrowing and assets? 
31:59 - How has Russia financed its war effort, and what short-term mechanisms has it relied upon? 
35:59 - What are the current vulnerabilities and long-term economic fragilities facing Russia's war economy? 


Why Europe must fix its defence now - with Moritz Schularick

The Russian army is hunting people in Kherson, a major city in the southern part of Ukraine. It is estimated that 700 Russian drones attack Kherson region every day. Russian soldiers are targeting Ukrainian civilians, their cars, and their homes, as if they were on a safari.

On the occupied lands of the Kherson region, on the left bank of the Dnipro River, the situation is even worse. There, the Russian army is implementing the tactics of a 'drone blockade.' People cannot leave their villages, they cannot buy food, and they cannot even bury their dead. The situation is catastrophic, and Russia is continuously breaking international humanitarian law. These people must be rescued urgently.

You’re listening to the Explaining Ukraine podcast. 

***
Explaining Ukraine is brought to you by UkraineWorld, an English-language media outlet run by Internews Ukraine. 

Host: Volodymyr Yermolenko, a Ukrainian philosopher, Chief Editor of UkraineWorld, and President of PEN Ukraine.

Guest: Zarina Zabrisky, an American journalist and writer who now lives in Kherson. She is the author of the documentary 'Kherson. Human Safari,' which explores Russia’s continuous tactics of exterminating the population of the city. You can find our previous conversation about this film here on this podcast: https://ukraineworld.org/en/podcasts/ep-384

Now, she is also working to draw attention to the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding on the Russian-occupied lands of the Kherson region. 

***
Listen on various platforms: https://li.sten.to/explaining-ukraine 
UkraineWorld: https://ukraineworld.org/en 

***
SUPPORT: 
You can support our work on https://www.patreon.com/c/ukraineworld  
Your help is crucial, as we rely heavily on crowdfunding.
You can also contribute to our volunteer missions to frontline areas in Ukraine, where we deliver aid to both soldiers and civilians.
Donations are welcome via PayPal at: ukraine.resisting@gmail.com.


***
CONTENTS:

00:03 What is the current catastrophic situation in Kherson and Kherson region, with continuous Russian drone attacks and violations of international humanitarian law? 
04:54 How has the situation in Kherson deteriorated with constant drone attacks, and what does the term "human safari" imply? 
06:34 What are the new and undetectable fiber optic drones being used by Russians, and how do they pose an increased threat? 
09:59 How significantly have drone attacks intensified in the Kherson region, with alarming daily and hourly statistics? 
13:01 What extreme safety measures do Kherson residents employ to navigate a city constantly under threat from drones, mines, and falling debris? 
15:06 How does Kherson continue to function with public transportation, taxis, and even food delivery? 
18:36 Are Russian forces deliberately using guided bombs and training drone pilots by targeting Ukrainian civilians in Kherson? 
23:27 What is the "drone blockade" tactic implemented by Russians in the occupied territories of the Kherson region? 
36:35 What are the unbearable living conditions in Russian-occupied towns and villages of the Kherson region, including lack of food, heating, medical care, and the tragic "burial crisis"? 
40:14 What evacuation options are being considered for the people trapped in the occupied territories, and what are the challenges involved? 
41:53 Why are Russians intentionally creating such horrific conditions in occupied territories, from using civilians as human shields to property seizure and ethnic cleansing? 
46:16 What actions can the international community, including NGOs, governments, and individuals, take to address the genocide unfolding in occupied Kherson? 
49:11 What gives Zarina Zabrisky hope amidst the difficult and horrific conditions she witnesses daily in Kherson?


How Russians Are Erasing Life in Ukraine’s South - with Zarina Zabrisky

On March 16, 2022, the Russian army committed one of the gravest war crimes of its invasion of Ukraine. It dropped air bombs on the Mariupol Drama Theatre, knowing that around a thousand civilians were sheltering inside, seeking refuge from Russian shelling. It did so despite the huge inscriptions reading “Children” — written in Russian on both sides of the theatre — clearly visible from the air as a warning to any potential bomber.

In this episode, we analyse this crime with the help of a journalist who spent several years speaking with dozens of survivors. You are listening to the Explaining Ukraine podcast.

***
Explaining Ukraine is a podcast by UkraineWorld, an English-language media outlet run by Internews Ukraine.

Host: Volodymyr Yermolenko, a Ukrainian philosopher, Chief Editor of UkraineWorld, and President of PEN Ukraine.

Guest: James Verini, an American journalist and book writer who wrote for The New York Times and other papers. He recently published a book, The Theater: Courage and Survival in the Defining Atrocity of the Ukraine War. The book was published this year by Simon & Schuster. 

Link to the book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Theater/James-Verini/9781668062203

***
Listen on various platforms: https://li.sten.to/explaining-ukraine 
UkraineWorld: https://ukraineworld.org/en 

***
SUPPORT: 
You can support our work on https://www.patreon.com/c/ukraineworld  
Your help is crucial, as we rely heavily on crowdfunding.

You can also contribute to our volunteer missions to frontline areas in Ukraine, where we deliver aid to both soldiers and civilians.
Donations are welcome via PayPal at: ukraine.resisting@gmail.com.


***
CONTENTS:

0:00 Intro
2:40 Why does the guest call the Mariupol drama theater bombing the "defining atrocity" of the Russian war against Ukraine?
5:48 What made Mariupol particularly vulnerable to the Russian siege and bombardment?
8:51 What were the devastating living conditions for civilians in Mariupol during the siege?
9:48 Why did people consider the Mariupol drama theater a safe shelter, and how was it designated as such?
13:05 How did the theater's staff and volunteers manage to transform it into a functioning refugee shelter for thousands?
15:50 When did the bombardment of the theater occur, and why is it significant that "Children" was clearly written outside?
21:28 What were the immediate consequences of the direct bomb hits on the theater, and how did they cause such lethality?
24:49 How did the journalist connect with and interview dozens of survivors to document their experiences?
31:32 How is Russia attempting to erase the memory and culture of Ukraine in occupied Mariupol?
35:10 What is the historical context of neglecting and building over the dead in Mariupol, and how does it relate to current events?
40:10 How has the Greek heritage of Mariupol been affected by the Russian invasion and occupation?
45:37 What was the significance of the defense of Azovstal in Mariupol's story, and how did it impact civilians?
47:29 What is the final message regarding the Mariupol drama theater bombing and its implications for the war?

***
Photo credit (James Verini’s portrait): Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.


Mariupol: Inside Russia’s Massive War Crime - with James Verini

Although Russia claims to be waging a war against the so-called West, no other country has officially deployed its military to fight alongside Ukraine. Instead, thousands of individuals from across the globe have made the personal choice to join the Ukrainian defense. Who are these foreign volunteers risking their lives to fight the Russian invasion? What motivates them? What challenges do they face, both on the front lines and back home? How can international military cooperation be improved? 
You are listening to the Explaining Ukraine podcast.

***
Explaining Ukraine is a podcast by UkraineWorld, an English-language media outlet run by Internews Ukraine.

Host: Volodymyr Yermolenko, a Ukrainian philosopher, chief editor of UkraineWorld, and president of PEN Ukraine.

Guest: Colin Freeman, freelance foreign affairs reporter for the Daily Telegraph. Colin has reported widely on British fighters in Ukraine. 

***
Listen on various platforms: https://li.sten.to/explaining-ukraine 
UkraineWorld: https://ukraineworld.org/en 

***
SUPPORT: 
You can support our work on https://www.patreon.com/c/ukraineworld  
Your help is crucial, as we rely heavily on crowdfunding.

You can also contribute to our volunteer missions to frontline areas in Ukraine, where we deliver aid to both soldiers and civilians.
Donations are welcome via PayPal at: ukraine.resisting@gmail.com.


***
CONTENTS:

00:03 Intro. The topic of the episode
01:43 Why studying the involvement of foreign soldiers in the Russian-Ukrainian war?
04:11 How many foreign soldiers are estimated to have fought for Ukraine, and why is it so difficult to get exact figures?
06:23 Do European governments encourage their citizens to fight in Ukraine, and how does their stance compare to Russia's recruitment of foreign fighters?
08:56 What is the primary motivation of foreign volunteers for fighting given their modest salary?
09:47 What different types of foreign volunteers exist, from professional soldiers seeking combat experience to "war tourists," and how useful were they on the battlefield?
14:08 Was the initial attempt to integrate foreign fighters through the International Legion largely a success or failure - or both?
15:29 What specific bureaucratic and logistical problems did the Ukrainian army face in integrating foreign volunteers, including language barriers and lack of preparation?
20:11 Why are home governments, like the British, seemingly hesitant to tap into the combat experience of their citizens returning from Ukraine?
26:54 Does the current "blindness" of European governments to this unique combat experience echo historical parallels, like the Spanish Civil War, with potential cultural and military consequences?
30:18 If Ukraine needs more soldiers, how can it improve its recruitment and integration of foreign volunteers to avoid the mistakes of 2022?
34:43 What crucial lessons should European militaries and governments learn from the foreign fighters' experiences in Ukraine for future conflicts?


Foreign Fighters in Ukraine: What Are Their Stories? - with Colin Freeman

I read this book with absolute passion. While it is a novel, it is truly an epic—the story of a family told through the greatest upheavals and disasters of the 20th century. Although it is set in Greece, we Ukrainians can deeply relate to this story: a narrative where global events shape your life far more than your own plans.

It is a novel about national conflicts and population displacements, fascism and communism, World War II, violence from all sides. It explores the trap of "revolutionary struggle," the dilemmas of duty versus life, and self-sacrifice versus human happiness.

The novel is called "Niki", and it was written by Christos Chomenidis, a prominent Greek writer. I was glad to meet him in Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, where he traveled at the invitation of the Greek embassy and his Ukrainian publisher. We sat down at PEN Ukraine and spoke about Europe, the past, the future, freedom, war, and peace.

This is Thinking in Dark Times, a podcast series by UkraineWorld, an English-language media outlet about Ukraine.

***
Host: Volodymyr Yermolenko, a Ukrainian philosopher, chief editor of UkraineWorld, and president of PEN Ukraine.

Guest: Christos Chomenidis, a prominent, award-winning Greek writer. He has traveled to Ukraine despite the relentless Russian missile and drone strikes that regularly target the Ukrainian cities.

***
Listen on various platforms: https://li.sten.to/explaining-ukraine 
UkraineWorld: https://ukraineworld.org/en 

***
SUPPORT: 
You can support our work on https://www.patreon.com/c/ukraineworld  
Your help is crucial, as we rely heavily on crowdfunding.

You can also contribute to our volunteer missions to frontline areas in Ukraine, where we deliver aid to both soldiers and civilians.

Donations are welcome via PayPal at: ukraine.resisting@gmail.com.

***
CONTENTS:

0:03 Intro
2:04 What brought prominent Greek writer Christos Chomenidis to Kyiv despite the ongoing war?
3:05 How does Chomenidis’ novel "Niki" weave together individual human stories with the challenging 20th-century history of Greece?
4:12 How does the experience of communism differ between Greece and Ukraine, and what forms did it take in each country?
5:56 How does the novel portray the act of destroying one's own house as a sacrifice to communist forces, and how is this understood today?
7:31 How does the novel explore the tension between duty to a greater cause and the pursuit of individual desires and happiness?
11:12 What main similarities does the author find between the Greek and Ukrainian peoples?
12:44 How did Chomenidis experience the fear of air raids in Kyiv, and what does it reveal about Ukrainian resilience?
15:28 Why was the Soviet Union, and even Stalin, romanticized in some Greek left-wing circles, and how does Chomenidis explain this perspective now?
17:41 How does modern Russian propaganda operate in Greece, and why do some Greek parties support Russia based on "zoopolitics"?
23:17 Do societies with a recent memory of authoritarianism have a stronger capacity or intuition to fight for freedom?
35:12 Why is democracy likened to a "baby"? What is freedom a "muscle" that requires constant, everyday struggle and care?
38:28 What gives Christos Chomenidis hope for the future amidst challenging times?


Greece, Ukraine, Communism, War, Europe - with Christos Chomenidis

Many things have changed this year. Ukraine is now striking targets deep inside Russian territory on a regular basis. Russia’s traditional strengths—its vast territory and abundant resources—are increasingly becoming liabilities. The war may be approaching a turning point. It is time to seriously consider that a Ukrainian victory is not only possible but also the only viable path to a lasting peace.

***
Explaining Ukraine is a podcast by UkraineWorld, an English-language media outlet run by Internews Ukraine.

Host: Volodymyr Yermolenko, a Ukrainian philosopher, chief editor of UkraineWorld, and president of PEN Ukraine.

Guest: Tetyana Ogarkova, a Ukrainian intellectual and journalist, head of the international service of Ukraine Crisis Media Centre, lecturer at Kyiv Mohyla Academy and author of the podcast “L’Ukraine face a la guerre”, Ukraine facing the war, in French.

***
Listen on various platforms: https://li.sten.to/explaining-ukraine 
UkraineWorld: https://ukraineworld.org/en 

***
SUPPORT: 
You can support our work on https://www.patreon.com/c/ukraineworld  
Your help is crucial, as we rely heavily on crowdfunding.

You can also contribute to our volunteer missions to frontline areas in Ukraine, where we deliver aid to both soldiers and civilians.
Donations are welcome via PayPal at: ukraine.resisting@gmail.com.

***
Contents:

00:04: Is the war approaching a turning point, and is Ukrainian victory the only viable path to lasting peace?
03:09: How have drones transformed the front line into an extended "kill zone," and what were the recent observations from Kherson?
07:52: Is Ukraine now scaling up its technological innovations to match or surpass Russia's quantity in warfare?
10:07: How are Ukrainian deep strikes impacting Russian territory, specifically oil refineries and fuel supply?
14:04: Why do Russian citizens react with confusion and blame towards their government, unlike Ukrainians who direct anger at the aggressor?
19:00: How does the Russian population describe the war's impact as an impersonal "natural disaster," avoiding direct political connections?
22:00: How is Ukraine strategically turning Russia's traditional strengths, such as vast territory and resources, into liabilities?
26:08: Can Ukraine's decentralized society and innovative use of cost-effective technology overcome Russia's military advantages?
30:08: What are the major challenges Ukraine faces, from Russian advances in Donbas to shifts in international political support?
33:19: Why should the discourse shift from "war and peace" to "war and victory" as Ukraine seeks to secure its future?


Is the War Approaching a Turning Point? - with Tetyana Ogarkova

When people look at this war from the outside, they often ask one question: When will it end? Many assume that if a ceasefire is reached, the war will be over and life will return to normal.

But we should not confuse a ceasefire with a lasting peace—or, more importantly, with a just peace that restores Ukraine’s rights. Thinking about a possible ceasefire, therefore, also means thinking about its risks, not only its opportunities.

This is the “Explaining Ukraine” podcast. 

***
“Explaining Ukraine” is a podcast by UkraineWorld, an English-language media outlet run by Internews Ukraine.

Host: Volodymyr Yermolenko, a Ukrainian philosopher, chief editor of UkraineWorld, and president of PEN Ukraine.

Guests: experts at Chatham House, the renowned London-based think tank: 
- Orysia Lutsevych, Head of the Ukraine Forum and Deputy Director of the Russia and Eurasia Programme, and 
- John Lough, an Associate Fellow with the Russia and Eurasia Programme. 

Together with their colleagues, Simon Smith and Keir Giles, they wrote a report, “How a Russia–Ukraine ceasefire could imperil Ukrainian and European security”. In this episode, we will talk about its major arguments. 

Read the Chatham House Report: https://www.chathamhouse.org/2026/05/how-russia-ukraine-ceasefire-could-imperil-ukrainian-and-european-security


***
Listen on various platforms: https://li.sten.to/explaining-ukraine 
UkraineWorld: https://ukraineworld.org/en 

***
SUPPORT: 
You can support our work on https://www.patreon.com/c/ukraineworld  
Your help is crucial, as we rely heavily on crowdfunding.

You can also contribute to our volunteer missions to frontline areas in Ukraine, where we deliver aid to both soldiers and civilians.
Donations are welcome via PayPal at: ukraine.resisting@gmail.com.

***
CONTENTS:
 
01:57: Why is discussing a ceasefire, rather than victory or justice, a risk for Ukraine and its partners?
02:48: How does Chatham House view the possibility of a ceasefire, despite having previously argued for Ukrainian victory?
04:27: Do current events in Russia and potential political shifts in the US make a ceasefire a more plausible scenario?
07:13: What are the critical risks for Ukraine, including its sovereignty, economy, and social fabric, in the event of a ceasefire?
11:31: Will European nations maintain their resolve against Russia, or will a ceasefire lead to a desire to return to "business as usual"?
15:07: How will Ukraine manage the challenges of internal resilience, veteran reintegration, and democratic elections during a potential ceasefire?
22:15: How can the international community prevent a temporary ceasefire from morphing into a permanent, unrecognized occupation, akin to historical examples?
26:50: Has the mood within Ukraine shifted, with increased confidence in its ability to reclaim territory and resist pressure for an unfavorable ceasefire?
31:21: What are Chatham House's key recommendations for Europe to enforce a ceasefire, deter Russia, and support Ukraine's security?
37:45: What strategic priorities and reforms should Ukraine undertake to build its future military force and integrate with Europe after a ceasefire?
42:16: What are the significant risks for Ukraine and Europe if a ceasefire is not achieved and the war continues indefinitely?
45:39: Can Ukraine leverage its technological advancements to achieve a decisive military defeat of Russia, or does continued conflict pose greater dangers?


What Are the Hidden Risks of a Ceasefire? We Asked Chatham House Experts

What values define Ukrainian society? How accurate is it to say that Ukrainians have high levels of horizontal trust—trust in one another—but low trust in public institutions? How should we understand power distance in Ukraine? Is corruption really as great a threat as it is often portrayed, or is its impact sometimes overstated? And how have these dynamics changed during the war?

***
Explaining Ukraine is a podcast by UkraineWorld, an English-language media outlet about Ukraine. 
Host: Volodymyr Yermolenko, a Ukrainian philosopher, chief editor of UkraineWorld, and president of PEN Ukraine.

Guest: Maryna Starodubska, Kyiv-Mohyla Business School Adjunct Professor, cross-cultural interaction consultant, and author of the book "Understanding Ukrainians: Cross-Cultural Perspective" published in Ukrainian. 
Link: https://vivat.com.ua/product/yak-zrozumity-ukraintsiv-kroskulturnyi-pohliad/

Maryna is now preparing her new book, in English, called Ukraine Layer by Layer: Freedom and Friction in a Frontier Society. The book will be published by Ibidem Verlag in the series Ukrainian Voices in October 2026. 
Link: https://cup.columbia.edu/book/ukraine-layer-by-layer/9783838221175/

***
Listen on various platforms: https://li.sten.to/explaining-ukraine 
UkraineWorld: https://ukraineworld.org/en 

***
SUPPORT: 
You can support our work on https://www.patreon.com/c/ukraineworld  
Your help is crucial, as we rely heavily on crowdfunding.

You can also contribute to our volunteer missions to frontline areas in Ukraine, where we deliver aid to both soldiers and civilians.
Donations are welcome via PayPal at: ukraine.resisting@gmail.com.

***
Contents:

00:03 What fundamental questions about Ukrainian society will this episode explore?
02:33 How can we describe Ukrainian society's values, particularly regarding horizontal trust versus institutional mistrust?
03:02 How has "double institutionalization" shaped Ukrainians' values and their approach to formal requirements versus "warm connections"?
04:19 In what ways has Ukraine's history as a "highly threatened culture" led to survival through close-knit communities and interpersonal trust?
04:58 How does "institutional dysfunction" explain the horizontal orientation of Ukrainians?
06:20 What are the three most pronounced values in Ukrainian national culture?
08:59 Has the war led to an explosion of "generalized trust" in Ukraine, moving beyond the traditional limited circles of trust?
11:59 How do Ukrainians differentiate their trust levels across protective, infrastructural, and local institutions?
15:29 Is Ukraine moving in the right direction to reduce its "power distance" by bringing leaders closer to citizens, as seen with figures like President Zelensky?
16:59 How does Ukraine's high power distance manifest through the importance of status and the desire for strong leaders who deliver justice?
21:21 Do external metrics and surveys, often influenced by Western "premonitions," accurately capture the complexities of Ukrainian society and its institutions?
25:16 How do collectivism and situational individualism coexist in Ukrainian society, affecting interactions with in-group versus out-group members?
28:12 How do effective institutions in Ukraine, such as administrative service centers, gain trust by focusing on fairness, justice, and tangible outcomes?
31:27 Is the perception of corruption in Ukraine often overestimated, and how might it be influenced by inherited mistrust rather than actual encounters?
39:01 What key insights and framework does Marina Starodubska's new book, "Ukraine Layer by Layer," offer to help professional readers understand the country better?


What You Need to Know About Ukrainian Society - with Maryna Starodubska

Why should we take Russian propaganda seriously? Why is it so deeply rooted in Russia’s authoritarian vision of society and politics? What lessons can we learn from Russia’s war against Ukraine about information warfare? And how should the West change its strategies — and do so quickly?

***
Explaining Ukraine is a podcast by UkraineWorld, an English-language media outlet about Ukraine. 

Host: Volodymyr Yermolenko, a Ukrainian philosopher, chief editor of UkraineWorld, and president of PEN Ukraine.

Guest: Thomas Kent, a leading expert on Russian propaganda, disinformation, and journalistic ethics. He is a former president of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and spent many years at the Associated Press. His latest book, published in August 2026, is called The Propaganda Manual of the Ukraine War: Information Warfare by Russia, Ukraine, and Western Nations — Lessons Learned for Future Conflicts. In this episode we will talk about this book. 
Link to the book: https://www.afpc.org/publications/books/the-propaganda-manual-of-the-ukraine-war-information-warfare-by-russia-ukraine-and-western-nations-lessons-learned-for-future-conflicts

***
Listen on various platforms: https://li.sten.to/explaining-ukraine 
UkraineWorld: https://ukraineworld.org/en 

***
SUPPORT: 
You can support our work on https://www.patreon.com/c/ukraineworld  
Your help is crucial, as we rely heavily on crowdfunding.
You can also contribute to our volunteer missions to frontline areas in Ukraine, where we deliver aid to both soldiers and civilians.
Donations are welcome via PayPal at: ukraine.resisting@gmail.com.

***

Contents:

0:00 Intro
1:59 What is Thomas Kent's new book about and why did he decide to write it? 
3:51 Does Russia have a long and deeply rooted tradition of propaganda essential to its state survival? 
5:39 How does Russia view information, not as a tool for peace, but as a weapon of war? 
6:32 How have Ukraine's information operations been more successful compared to Western efforts? 
7:38 Why has the West's communication been "muddled" due to a lack of clear strategy for the war? 
9:53 What factors led to the West's loss of confidence in conveying its message to an international audience? 
12:07 How does propaganda make messages credible by leveraging existing beliefs and using "unified theories"? 
15:13 What are the tactics of "laundering information" and "hijacking credible sources" to spread propaganda? 
17:22 How effectively has Russia used the fear of nuclear attack to deter Western aid to Ukraine? 
20:23 How has Ukraine successfully leveraged humor and wit as an "important currency" in information warfare? 
23:00 What is "strategic imagination" and other key strengths of Russia's information operations? 
29:02 What were Russia's key failures in information warfare, particularly in defending its reputation and influencing Ukrainians? 
33:59 What are Ukraine's strengths in information warfare, including its virtuous cause, courage, and creative fundraising tactics? 
36:53 What are Thomas Kent's recommendations for the West to improve its information strategies, including the need for a clear strategy, volume, cleverness, and physical world activity?


Unmasking Russian Propaganda - with Thomas Kent

A podcast by UkraineWorld.org, a multimedia project about Ukraine run by Internews Ukraine. Explaining Ukraine, its politics, society and its culture. Support us: patreon.com/ukraineworld

Ep. № 68 - Ukraine in early 2022: living under the threat of Russian invasion

UkraineWorld

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