Gaslit Nation

The Untold, Inspiring History Behind Mrs. Orwell That Terrifies the Kremlin

Apr 8, 2026
Maya Hayuk, a Ukrainian-American muralist known for vibrant public art, discusses the story behind Mrs. Orwell and a decade of research into the Holodomor. They recount recent Russian attacks on Lviv and Ukraine as a global frontline. Conversation touches on art, activism, refugee histories, a rare Ukrainian Animal Farm translation, and turning rage into creative resistance.
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INSIGHT

Mrs Orwell Born From Holodomor Research

  • Mrs Orwell grew from Andrea Chalupa's decade-long research into the Holodomor and became a standalone project after Eileen Blair's role proved too large for a supporting part.
  • The graphic novel links Stalin's genocide in Ukraine, Gareth Jones's reporting, and Eileen's influence on George Orwell to show how suppressed truths eventually surface.
ADVICE

Learn Drone Defense In Ukraine Not By Pulling Experts Away

  • If you want to learn drone defense, Andrea and Maya urge people to come to Ukraine to train with specialists rather than pull them away from front-line roles.
  • Maya warns against removing the 200+ Ukrainian sharpshooters who teach drone interception from their positions to assist U.S. operations.
INSIGHT

Ukraine As Testing Ground For Kremlin Tactics

  • Andrea Chalupa frames Ukraine as the frontline of a global fight between democracy and fascism, with Russian tactics tested there before elsewhere.
  • She connects Kremlin disinformation and influence operations to political outcomes like Trump and pro-Kremlin leaders in Europe.
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