The Briefing Reflections on four years of war in Ukraine
Feb 24, 2026
Maria Alyokhina, Pussy Riot activist who endured arrest and prison, speaks about campaigning for political prisoners and opposing the war. Julia Jen, Monocle writer of Ukrainian background, analyzes Valery Zaluzhny’s leadership, Ukraine’s strategy on manpower, infrastructure and unmanned systems, and calls for allied tech cooperation. Multiple short, vivid conversations explore war, resistance and political strategy.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
AI And Drones Are Central To Ukraine's Survival
- Zaluzhny argues Ukraine must embrace unmanned systems and AI to compensate for a demographic manpower crisis.
- He warns failure to adopt these technologies risks losing human lives and long-term intellectual capital.
Forge A Tech-Focused Defence Alliance Now
- Build a future defence alliance focused on technological interchange between allies and Ukraine.
- Link Western AI expertise with Ukraine's drone and unmanned-system experience to speed battlefield decision-making.
Targeting Tech Supply Chains Could Weaken Russia
- Russia's economy is a vulnerability despite sustained wartime spending; cutting its access to Western tech could degrade its weapons.
- Zaluzhny drew parallels to the Soviet-Afghan drain and urged comprehensive sanctions on tech components.
