Explaining Ukraine

Bohdan Ben, frontline journalist who documented soldiers and volunteers, and Orysia Hrudka, reporter of civilian stories under siege, share vivid reports. They recount evacuations from Irpin, a restaurant feeding thousands in Chernihiv, recovering the fallen, makeshift drone production, and how ordinary people sustain resistance. Short, human-focused narratives bring wartime resilience to life.

Why has Ukraine rapidly emerged as a global leader in advanced defense technology? What is the secret behind this innovation? How has warfare evolved over the past few years, and how are these shifts manifesting not only in the Russo-Ukrainian war but also in the Middle East? Are new drone technologies permanently altering the balance of power between major powers and smaller nations? Finally, what is required to defend the world against the Russian and Iranian regimes—and why is the Ukrainian experience the key to global security? *** Explaining Ukraine is a podcast by UkraineWorld, an English-language media outlet covering Ukraine. Host: Volodymyr Yermolenko—Ukrainian philosopher, editor-in-chief of UkraineWorld, and president of PEN Ukraine. Guest: Yulia Marushevska, a civic activist, former head of the Office of Support for Reforms at Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence and currently Supervisory board member at Brave 1, a platform for Ukrainian defense innovations. *** 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: 00:00 Guest: Yulia Marushevska’s background in defense reform and innovation 01:52 Ukraine’s shift from security recipient to security provider. 03:49 What have Ukrainians learned about modern warfare? 05:58 High-precision weapons vs. cheap drone swarms 08:14 Can Western bureaucracy adapt to modern production needs? 11:04 What is a "Defense Ecosystem"? 14:15 Ukrainian civil society as a contributor to the Ukraine’s defense 16:13 A lack of urgency: key problem of Ukraine’s partners 19:03 Are authoritarian regimes better prepared for a war of attrition? 22:12 Why is joint air defense between Ukraine and the EU essential for European security? 28:18 How do volunteers "buy time" for state institutions? 34:59 Expectations for the new Ministry of Defense team 38:32 Hope through horizontal connections and people 40:10 How to support UkraineWorld.

Since Donald Trump’s return to the U.S. presidency, Russia has drastically escalated its missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian cities. In January 2026, launches exceeded 6,000—a sharp increase from approximately 2,000 in January 2025. The use of guided aerial bombs (KABs) also reached a record high of almost 6,000 per month. With the Trump administration significantly cutting military aid to Kyiv, Ukraine now finds itself in an increasingly vulnerable position. What are the underlying causes of this policy shift, and what does it reveal about Trump’s vision for global order and human rights? *** Explaining Ukraine is a podcast by UkraineWorld, an English-language media outlet covering Ukraine. Host: Volodymyr Yermolenko—Ukrainian philosopher, editor-in-chief of UkraineWorld, and president of PEN Ukraine. Guest: Christopher Atwood, an American human rights and communications expert and Head of Ukraїner International—the international branch of the popular Ukrainian media platform, Ukraїner. *** 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: 00:00 Intro 06:00 Why is it important to be in Ukraine? 10:08 Analysis of the US political shift: Biden VS Trump 13:58 Trump and violence 15:00 "Empathy Recession": How cruelty has become a cultural zeitgeist 21:10 The role of the media establishment 27:11 Trump`s perspectives on Ukraine: Is he a mediator or closer to Putin’s vision? 30:43 The threat to Europe 35:27 Trump’s economics 40:01 Public vs. Political support: Why most Americans still favor Ukraine 44:04 Building a coalition of the willing

During this record-breaking cold winter, millions of Ukrainians are regularly left without electricity, water, or heat as temperatures plummet to -20°C and below. Does Russia intend to make life in Ukraine unlivable? Can the country’s civilian infrastructure continue to withstand such a massive, relentless assault? And what are the alternatives for the future? *** Explaining Ukraine is a podcast by UkraineWorld, an English-language media outlet covering Ukraine. Host: Volodymyr Yermolenko—Ukrainian philosopher, editor-in-chief of UkraineWorld, and president of PEN Ukraine. Guest: Oksana Ishchuk, an analyst specializing in international and energy relations at the Centre for Global Studies "Strategy XXI," a prominent Ukrainian think tank. *** 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: 02:05 — The real goal behind Russian energy strikes on Ukraine 05:10 — Is a "total blackout" in Ukraine possible? 09:00 — A Soviet-built system: pros and cons 12:20 — Why Ukrainian cities go dark all at once 14:40 — Why every citizen must prepare for the next winter now 16:40 — The reason Russia succeeded only this winter 18:30 — Fragmenting the grid: Russia’s new energy tactics 19:55 — Why can’t Ukraine defend every power plant? 22:30 — The terrifying reality of Russia’s "indirect" nuclear terrorism 27:40 — Rebuilding the grid for a long war 32:10 — Why sanctions policy should be improved 34:30 — How Russia bypasses sanctions via the Baltic Sea 36:40 — The kind of Ukraine’s resilience Europe tries to understand

Volodymyr Havrylov, retired major general and former deputy defense minister, brings frontline military and policy experience. He discusses whether peace talks can succeed. He explores technological parity, unmanned systems, and the next wave of smarter robotics. He highlights Ukrainian civil society’s role, production integration with Europe, and risks from component dependencies.

David Wengrow, Professor of Comparative Archaeology and co-author of The Dawn of Everything, explores Ukraine’s six-thousand-year-old Cucuteni-Trypillia megasites. He discusses how massive, circular settlements functioned without central rulers. He questions standard tales of inevitable hierarchy and highlights participatory assemblies, ritual practices, and how these finds reshape ideas about early urban life.

Tetyana Ogarkova, a journalist and head of the international department at the Ukraine Crisis Media Centre, discusses Ukraine's complex relationship with the U.S. in light of increasing pressure from the Trump administration, now acting as a mediator. She argues that proposed peace talks could prevent Ukraine from regaining occupied territories, effectively leading to defeat. The conversation also highlights the potential dangers of negotiations as tactics for Russia, the impact on military support, and ongoing struggles with anti-corruption amid the war.

Kateryna Leshchyshyn leads international partnerships at the Come Back Alive foundation, which has raised over $1 billion to support Ukraine's defense since 2014. She shares the evolution of the NGO from a charity to a key military-support entity. Kateryna highlights the vital role of NGOs in boosting resilience and provides insights into the types of equipment they procure, including drones and vehicles. She discusses the challenges of working with international donors and urges listeners to support Ukraine through various means, stressing community involvement.

Danylo Lubkivsky, a Ukrainian diplomat and former deputy foreign minister, dives into Ukraine's rich tradition of geopolitical thought. He explores how this tradition has been shaped more by writers than statesmen and its impact on Ukraine's identity today. Topics include the significance of geoculture and how land influences culture, as well as the recurring motifs of glory and freedom in Ukrainian history. Lubkivsky also discusses Kyiv's spiritual significance and envisions Ukraine as a unifying bridge across Europe.

Natalia Shlikhta, a historian and expert on Ukrainian cultural history, discusses the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church's unique role in bridging Eastern and Western Christianity. She highlights its historical significance in shaping Ukrainian national identity and its cultural resilience during the Soviet era. The conversation explores the church's dual survival tactics, including the underground 'catacomb church,' and emphasizes the legacy of influential leaders like Metropolitan Sheptytsky, who fostered unity and social engagement.