Explaining Ukraine

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?

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?

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.

Let’s travel for a moment. Imagine you are on the shore of the Black Sea, in Odesa—one of the most beautiful cities in Eastern Europe. Odesa possesses multiple identities and refuses to be trapped by a single definition. It is Jewish, French, Italian, Ukrainian, Crimean Tatar, Romanian, Moldovan, Greek, Bulgarian, and more. Both the Russian and Soviet empires sought to flatten this multiplicity into a single imperial identity. They failed. Today, in an act of resentment, Russia is attempting to destroy Odesa. Missiles and drones fall upon its historic center, a site of UNESCO World Heritage. Meanwhile, Odesa is seeking a new identity. It is a work in progress—not yet fully formed—which makes the city incredibly vibrant and, in many ways, still misunderstood. *** This is the “Explaining Ukraine” podcast. Host: Volodymyr Yermolenko, a Ukrainian philosopher, chief editor of UkraineWorld, and president of PEN Ukraine. Guest: Julian Evans, a British-Australian journalist, writer, traveler, and filmmaker. His latest book, Undefeatable: Odesa in Love and War, published by Scotland Street Press, shares his personal story of Odesa through his friendships and family connections. Book: https://www.scotlandstreetpress.com/product/undefeatable-odesa-in-love-and-war Explaining Ukraine is produced by UkraineWorld and brought to you by Internews 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: 0:00. Intro. Odesa's Multifaceted Identity and Current War 5:13 Julian Evans' Personal Connection and Wartime Challenges 10:20 Odesa's European Roots Versus Russian Imperial Claims 15:25 The Changing Ukrainian Identity of Odesa 20:45 Dismantling the "Russian World" Imperial Fantasies about Odesa 25:50 Cultural De-Russification and Personal Impact 31:00 Human Stories and the Spirit of Odesan Survival 36:10 Odesa's Enduring Beauty and Resilience Under Attack 39:27 "Undefeatable Odesa": A Spirit of Freedom

Borja Lasheras, a Spanish author and European security expert and Associate Policy Fellow at EPIK, reflects from Kharkiv on Ukraine’s role in continental defense. He explores Europe’s hybrid war with Russia. He considers whether the EU can evolve into a security actor, proposes minilateral coalitions, and discusses tech and defense industrial integration with Ukraine.

What do Ukrainians and Black Americans share in their historical and cultural experiences? Can we draw comparisons between serfdom and slavery, or find parallels in the colonial traumas and the struggle for human dignity? Furthermore, what role do culture, identity, and language play in overcoming these legacies? In this episode of the Explaining Ukraine podcast, we share a recording of a vital discussion held at PEN Ukraine in Kyiv in October 2025. This conversation explores collective memory, the universal aspiration for freedom, and the growing solidarity between communities that have endured systemic oppression. *** Our Speakers are: - Terrell Jermaine Starr – Independent American journalist and host of Black Diplomats, a documentary news show covering civilian life in Ukraine. Over his 16-year career, he has reported extensively on the U.S. military, nuclear policy, and the Black Lives Matter movement. - Christopher Atwood – Human rights and communications expert, Head of the Ukraïner International, which an international branch of Ukrainer, a popular Ukrainian media. Host: Volodymyr Yermolenko, a Ukrainian philosopher, president of PEN Ukraine and the editor-in-chief of UkraineWorld. *** 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: 00:00:00 Guests: American journalist Terrell Jermaine Starr and American civic activist Christopher Atwood. Discussion at PEN Ukraine, October, 2025. 00:04:03 What can Black Americans and Ukrainians tell each other to make their shared struggles better understood by the world? 00:07:34 What are the three profound commonalities between the 2014 Maidan Revolution and the Black Lives Matter movement? 00:18:54 How do the legacies of Frederick Douglass and Taras Shevchenko reveal the universal trauma of being "born into unfreedom"? 00:22:56 How did the exploitative "sharecropping" system in the American South mirror the traps faced by Ukrainian peasants? 00:28:41 What is the historical link between the "slave catchers" of the 19th century and the architecture of modern American policing? 00:30:30 In what ways is the current political divide in America a shadow of the Civil War? 00:32:38 Why does the American democracy only have a "30-year jump" on Ukraine’s independence? 00:33:48 In what ways is "whiteness" weaponized as a tool of convenience by Western powers? 00:35:07 What is the difference between the "colonialism of racism" and the "colonialism of assimilation"? 00:36:18 How does Frantz Fanon’s Black Skin, White Masks explain language as a primary tool of domination? 00:37:15 Why does the Western intellectuals struggle to reject colonialism in practice? 00:42:48 Why is it a dangerous intellectual shortcut to blame systemic issues on "one bad man" like Trump or Putin? 00:53:32 What does the history of the Brooklyn Bridge reveal about the racial hierarchies? 00:57:17 How can Black Americans and Ukrainians build solidarity when they face the same systems of oppression but have "colonizers who look different"? 01:05:40 What are the "multiple layers of whiteness"? 01:12:50 How does Edward Said’s Orientalism help explain why Western scholars often treat Ukrainians as "objects" of study rather than "subjects"? 01:24:10 How did Western academics miss the "seething rage" that signaled Ukrainians would never welcome invaders as liberators? 01:26:56 Why does the American "dominant class" believe democracy is a finished project? 01:33:33 Can a government truly understand the cultural dynamics of another country if it refuses to reflect on the racial dynamics of its own?

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