Explaining Ukraine

Why is Taras Shevchenko not only the founding father of Ukrainian poetry but also of Ukrainian identity? What aspects of his legacy remain alive today? And how does poetry shape a nation? *** Host: Tetyana Ogarkova, a Ukrainian literary scholar at Kyiv Mohyla Academy and journalist at Ukraine Crisis Media Centre who also runs a French-language podcast, “L’Ukraine face à la guerre”. Guest: Rory Finnin, Professor of Ukrainian Studies at the University of Cambridge. He launched the Cambridge Ukrainian Studies programme in 2008. His book “Blood of Others: Stalin’s Crimean Atrocity and the Poetics of Solidarity” has received numerous awards. Find the book: https://utppublishing.com/doi/book/10.3138/9781487558253 Our earlier conversation about this book: https://ukraineworld.org/en/articles/russian-aggression/crimea-fresh-view) *** This episode is produced in partnership with the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy and the project Heritage Ukraine, supported by the European Union’s Erasmus programme. Special thanks to the "Ukrainian History Global Initiative" for helping organize this conversation. *** SUPPORT: UkraineWorld is an English-language media about Ukraine run by Internews Ukraine You can support UkraineWorld on https://www.patreon.com/c/ukraineworld We rely on crowdfunding to continue our work. You can also support our regular trips to the frontlines, where we provide support to both soldiers (cars) and civilians (books): PayPal, ukraine.resisting@gmail.com

Are all empires equally bad? If some were better than others, what criteria can we use to make such judgments? Why must we study networks, not only hierarchies, to understand our past, present, and future? What happens to societies in times of catastrophe, and who has the best chances of survival? And finally — why is Ukraine so important for the world today? *** Host: Volodymyr Yermolenko, a Ukrainian philosopher, editor-in-chief of UkraineWorld, and president of PEN Ukraine. Guest: Niall Ferguson — a renowned British-American historian and author of numerous books, including “Empire”, “The Square and the Tower”, “The War of the World”, “Doom”, and others. Ferguson is the Milbank Family Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution. We had this conversation during the Yalta European Strategy Forum in Kyiv in September 2025. *** Thinking in Dark Times is a podcast of reflection from Ukraine. We try to see the light through — and despite — the current darkness. This episode was made possible thanks to the support of Politeia, a Ukrainian NGO dedicated to preparing a new generation of change-makers in Ukraine. *** UkraineWorld is an English-language media about Ukraine run by Internews Ukraine You can support UkraineWorld on https://www.patreon.com/c/ukraineworld We rely on crowdfunding to continue our work. You can also support our regular trips to the frontlines, where we provide support to both soldiers (cars) and civilians (books): PayPal, ukraine.resisting@gmail.com *** CONTENTS: 00:00 - Intro: Niall Ferguson, a renowned British American historian and author of numerous books. 01:58 - Why does historian Niall Ferguson keep coming back to Kyiv, and what value does he find here? 04:06 - Does the war in Ukraine truly hold a global meaning? 10:01 - Was the British Empire good or bad for the world? 12:17 - What's the difference between a 'liberal' empire and an 'illiberal' one? 19:30 - Does the European Union find a balance between the Empire and the Nation-State? 26:59 - Can Ukraine become an 'antifragile' state? 28:48 - Is being threatened by a 'big bad neighbor' the key to becoming an innovative society? 31:07 - How did the last decade of Russian aggression ultimately lead to the birth of the Ukrainian nation?

Let’s take a deeper look into drone warfare and the long-term changes it is bringing to the battlefield. How is Ukraine countering Russian drone attacks? How is it developing systems of drone interceptors? Are we moving toward a future where drones will fight other drones? And what skills must our societies cultivate to prepare for this new reality? *** The “Explaining Ukraine” podcast is produced by UkraineWorld, an English-language media outlet about Ukraine run by Internews Ukraine. Listen on various platforms: https://li.sten.to/explaining-ukraine Support: https://www.patreon.com/c/ukraineworld *** Host: Volodymyr Yermolenko, a Ukrainian philosopher, editor-in-chief of UkraineWorld, and president of PEN Ukraine. Guest: Taras Tymochko, a consultant at Come Back Alive (Povernys zhyvym), one of Ukraine’s most prominent charitable foundations supporting the military and veterans since 2014. Taras coordinates the foundation’s project “Dronopad”—“the fall of drones”—which aims to develop a system of interceptor drones for the Ukrainian army to take down as many Russian drones as possible. *** SUPPORT: You can support our work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/ukraineworld. We rely on your contributions to keep UkraineWorld going. You can also help finance our volunteer trips to frontline areas in Ukraine, where we assist both civilians and soldiers. Donations are welcome via PayPal: ukraine.resisting@gmail.com *** CONTENTS: 00:00 Taras Tymochko, "Come Back Alive" Foundation Consultant, "Dronefall" Project Lead. 02:15 How did drones eliminate the traditional front line? 03:10 “Kill zone”: a wide space between the two armies in which soldiers on both sides are extremely vulnerable because of the drones. 04:35 Comparing Russian and Ukrainian drone capabilities 06:03 Dronefall Project: producing interceptor drones 12:47 Why do cheap interceptors defeat expensive missiles? 18:02 AI on Battlefield: How close are we to autonomous interceptor drones? 21:21 How new interceptor divisions are created in Ukraine's forces 26:49 How Ukraine counters fiber optic drones 29:39 The future war: the role of drones vs. infantry 33:13 Starlink: advantages, vulnerabilities, and alternatives in communication 37:54 Why is "battlefield experience" so important? 42:57 What "battlefield-tested" quality means

How is Ukrainian IT transforming the country’s defence? Why is technology key to success in today’s war? Why is Ukraine one of the world’s most dynamic IT nations — and why does it still hold so much untapped potential? And finally, how has the IT sector become a driver of social change, reshaping Ukraine’s social fabric today? *** Explaining Ukraine is a podcast by UkraineWorld, an English-language media outlet about Ukraine run by Internews Ukraine. Host: Volodymyr Yermolenko, a Ukrainian philosopher, editor-in-chief of UkraineWorld, and president of PEN Ukraine. Listen on various platforms: https://li.sten.to/explaining-ukraine SUPPORT OUR WORK: https://www.patreon.com/c/ukraineworld *** My guest today is Taras Tymoshchuk, a board member of the IT Ukraine Association and CEO of Geniusee, a Ukrainian IT company. Read the “Digital Tiger” report by the IT Ukraine Association. https://itukraine.org.ua/files/DigitalTiger2024.pdf *** This episode is brought to you by UkraineWorld with the support of the Askold and Dir Fund, implemented by ISAR Ednannia, and funded by Norway and Sweden. *** You can support our work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/ukraineworld. We rely on your contributions to keep UkraineWorld going. You can also help finance our volunteer trips to frontline areas in Ukraine, where we assist both civilians and soldiers. Donations are welcome via PayPal: ukraine.resisting@gmail.com --- CONTENTS: 00:00 Guest: Taras Tymoschuk, Member of the Board of Representatives, IT Ukraine Association, and CEO & Founder of Geniusee 01:36: The IT sector is the backbone of the Ukrainian economy 02:56: What are the key technologies in war? 04:20: War Boosting Tech. How does it influence civil life? 07:25: Russia VS Ukraine: Who is ahead in the technological war? 09:31: What directions of war technology does Ukraine develop? 11:30: Business & Investment: What countries are the most interested in Ukrainian expertise? 14:08: The Cyber War: Russian attacks (e.g., Kyivstar) and Ukraine's defence experience 18:17: How the War Boosts AI Technology 22:40: The IT Economy Structure in Ukraine 25:31: The secret of Ukraine's IT success 28:28: Diia App. The penetration of IT solutions in Ukrainian society 37:06: What is the biggest challenge of funding in Ukraine? 40:40: Winning the Tech War. What does Ukraine need?

In a compelling discussion, Yaroslav Hrytsak, a leading Ukrainian historian and author, dives deep into the global significance of Ukrainian history. He emphasizes Ukraine's pivotal role in 20th-century conflicts, framing it as a geopolitical center during world wars. Hrytsak critiques Russia's ambitions to reassert imperial power and explores the contrasting legacies of empires on democracy. He argues that Ukraine's enduring democratic traditions can flourish even after periods of tyranny, highlighting the importance of historical interpretation in shaping future possibilities.

If Ukraine does not receive real security guarantees, the war will continue—and is likely to spill over into the rest of Europe. But what kind of guarantees are truly needed, and which of them are realistic? *** Host: Volodymyr Yermolenko, a Ukrainian philosopher, editor-in-chief of UkraineWorld, and president of PEN Ukraine. Our guest today is Hanna Shelest, one of Ukraine’s leading experts on international security and foreign policy. She is Director of the Security Studies Program at the Foreign Policy Council “Ukrainian Prism,” and Editor-in-Chief of the journal UA: Ukraine Analytica. Explaining Ukraine is produced by UkraineWorld, an English-language media project about Ukraine, run by Internews Ukraine. Listen on various platforms: https://li.sten.to/explaining-ukraine *** You can support our work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/ukraineworld Your contributions are vital—we rely heavily on crowdfunding. You can also help fund our volunteer trips to frontline areas of Ukraine, where we support both civilians and soldiers. Donations are welcome via PayPal: ukraine.resisting@gmail.com *** CONTENTS: 00:00 Hanna Shelest, director of the Security Studies Programme at the Foreign Policy Council 'Ukrainian Prism' 02:04 A Century of Broken Promises: What History Teaches Us About Security Agreements 04:24 The NATO Paradox: Is Article 5 a Paper Tiger or a Real Deterrent? 16:20 The Baltic States on the Brink: How Real is the Threat of a Russian Blitzkrieg? 22:55 Non-Mutual Animosity: When a 'Gentleman's Agreement' Meets a Rapist 26:40 Has the US Abandoned Its Role as Ally to Become a Mediator? 30:32 Why Can't Europe Play This Role in the Conflict? 32:39 Alaska Fallout: Was the Meeting a Strategic Victory or a Destructive Blunder? 41:42 Sanctions in the Gray Zone: Why Do Loopholes Still Undermine Global Efforts? 47:35 The 'Orange' Fallacy: Why Ceding Territory is an Act of Awarding Aggression? 49:34 The Deeper Cost of War: Why Are We Talking About Land, Not People?

Maksym Butkevych is a prominent Ukrainian human rights defender. Before the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine, he dedicated his efforts to the protection of people whose rights were violated. When Russia launched its war against Ukraine, Maksym joined the Ukrainian army to defend his country. In June 2022, he was taken prisoner of war by Russia and accused of committing a war crime. The case was entirely fabricated: Russia sought to “balance” the real war crimes committed by the Russian soldiers in Ukraine and prosecuted by Ukrainian courts with invented charges against Ukrainian prisoners of war. Maksym was sentenced to 13 years in prison. He spent almost two and a half years behind bars in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories before being freed in a prisoner exchange in October 2024. He endured beatings, deprivations, and torture, but his spirit remained unbroken. We met with Maksym in late August 2025. Our conversation turned philosophical—about life and death, freedom and fear, hope and despair. *** Host: Volodymyr Yermolenko, a Ukrainian philosopher, editor-in-chief of UkraineWorld, and president of PEN Ukraine. UkraineWorld is an English-language media about Ukraine run by Internews Ukraine You can support our work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/ukraineworld Your contributions are essential — we rely heavily on crowdfunding. You can also help fund our volunteer trips to frontline areas in Ukraine, where we support both civilians and soldiers. Donations are welcome via PayPal: ukraine.resisting@gmail.com *** CONTENTS: 00:00 - Intro. Who is Maksym Butkevych 02:23 - Maksym’s recollections of Russian captivity 08:16 - The role of violence in Russian captivity 12:30 - How does the Russian machine distort the law 22:33 - Death and fear as key elements of the Russian violence system 29:07 - Staying yourself in captivity 37:17 - Is it possible to survive in captivity without thinking about love? 45:01 - Outro 45:41 - Support us: https://www.patreon.com/c/ukraineworld *** The podcast is produced by UkraineWorld with the support of the Askold and Dir Fund as a part of the Strong Civil Society of Ukraine - a Driver towards Reforms and Democracy project, implemented by ISAR Ednannia, funded by Norway and Sweden. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of UkraineWorld and can in no way be taken to reflect the views the Government of Norway, the Government of Sweden and ISAR Ednannia.

Why is technology playing such a decisive role in this war? Who is ahead in technological innovation—Ukraine or Russia? How are drones reshaping the battlefield, and how might they also transform technologies of peace? And why must Europe step up its technological cooperation with Ukraine? *** Host: Volodymyr Yermolenko, a Ukrainian philosopher, editor-in-chief of UkraineWorld, and president of PEN Ukraine. Guest: Glib Voloskyi, analyst at the Initiatives Centre of Come Back Alive (Povernys zhyvym) — one of Ukraine’s most prominent charitable foundations, supporting the military and veterans since 2014. *** Explaining Ukraine is produced by UkraineWorld, an English-language media project about Ukraine, run by Internews Ukraine. Listen on various platforms (apple, youtube, spotify, soundcloud, amazon etc): https://li.sten.to/explaining-ukraine This episode is also made in partnership with Politeia, a Ukrainian NGO focusing on preparing a new generation of change-makers in Ukraine. *** SUPPORT US: You can support our work on Patreon: www.patreon.com/c/ukraineworld Your contributions are essential, as we rely heavily on crowdfunding. You can also help fund our volunteer trips to frontline areas in Ukraine, where we support both soldiers and civilians. Donations are welcome via PayPal: ukraine.resisting@gmail.com *** CONTENTS: 00:00 — The role of technology in war: who's winning the tech race? 01:34 — Russia’s real strategy: what are the goals? 02:12 — How Russia miscalculated: failed plans, logistics collapse and retreats 05:52 — The evolving Russian strategy: attrition and imperial ambitions 08:41 — Is this really a “Ukrainian conflict” or is it actually a Russian imperial war? 10:10 — Ukraine’s defence: from resilience to drone innovation 11:32 — The fierce race in drone technology 13:41 — What’s next? Land robots, unmanned vehicles and battlefield robotics 15:07 — Artificial intelligence at war: from target recognition to social media scans 16:40 — Dependency on Chinese tech: risk or overstated concern? 17:54 — Europe’s wake-up call: how possible it is to lose the technological race 20:33 — Tanks, drones and the future of warfare: what lessons are really learned? 25:24 — NATO partners and military conservatism: who adapts, who resists? 26:19 — Ukraine’s defence industry revival: grassroots innovation vs. scaling up 29:56 — Naval drones, land drones and robotics: Ukraine’s asymmetric advantage 31:37 — The myth of a "wonder weapon" 37:32 — Human body vs. artificial bodies: why soldiers can’t be replaced 39:01 — Why Russia destroys cities instead of capturing them 40:26 — The hidden battlefield: information wars and internal destabilisation 42:12 — The greatest danger ahead: forced concessions

Kherson may be the most dangerous regional center in Ukraine. Occupied by Russian forces in 2022, its residents were subjected to torture and intimidation. The city was liberated by Ukrainian forces in November 2022 — but almost immediately came under daily bombardment and shelling from Russian troops stationed just across the Dnipro River. In June 2023, Kherson was hit by a catastrophic flood caused by the destruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant — an explosion orchestrated by the Russian military. Today, the city’s residents are hunted by Russian drones, as if caught in some macabre human safari. “Kherson: Human Safari” is the title of a documentary film by Zarina Zabrisky, an American filmmaker who has spent significant time in Kherson, reporting from this brave and embattled city. Link to the film: https://khersonhumansafari.com/ *** Host: Volodymyr Yermolenko, a Ukrainian philosopher, editor-in-chief of UkraineWorld, and president of PEN Ukraine. Guest: Zarina Zabrisky, an American filmmaker and writer, author of the film “Kherson: Human Safari”. Explaining Ukraine is produced by UkraineWorld, an English-language media project about Ukraine, run by Internews Ukraine. *** LISTEN on various platforms: https://li.sten.to/explaining-ukraine *** SUPPORT US: You can support our work on Patreon: www.patreon.com/c/ukraineworld Your contributions are essential, as we rely heavily on crowdfunding. You can also help fund our volunteer trips to frontline areas in Ukraine, where we support both soldiers and civilians. Donations are welcome via PayPal: ukraine.resisting@gmail.com *** CONTENTS: 00:00 – Zarina Zabrisky, a U.S. journalist in Ukraine 02:30 – Why is Kherson so important in the war? 04:56 – Life in Kherson: What does it look like now? 13:50 – Why does a central store in Kherson look better than posh stores in the U.S.? 15:01 – In memory: Victoria Amelina in Kherson 16:12 – Kherson: Human Safari — the story of Kherson from the start of the full-scale invasion to date 19:40 – How did Zarina Zabrisky document the newest war crime against humanity? 24:02 – Do Russians conduct the “human safari” in Kherson for fun, or is it a strategy? 26:04 – A terror campaign: How does Russia attempt to erase Kherson? 29:20 – What exactly do Russians want to achieve with their cruelty toward Ukrainians in frontline territories? 36:00 – How Russia influences the ecosystem 41:12 – Destruction of the Kakhovka Dam: Survival and resistance stories from locals 43:30 – The rescue of Ukrainian children from Russian captivity 48:10 – Deportation of Ukrainian children as a form of genocide 50:00 - Support us: https://www.patreon.com/ukraineworld

Trump is set to meet with Putin in Alaska on August 15. Media reports and leaks ahead of this meeting, along with statements by President Trump and members of his administration, suggest that the two leaders may have discussed a plan in which Ukraine would cede some or all of the occupied territories to Russia in exchange for “peace.” This brings us back to the basics: the fundamental truth that violating internationally recognized borders through military aggression cannot lead to sustainable peace. In this episode, we explain why the idea of a territorial swap is dangerous — why it would undermine international law, destabilize the global order, and why neither Ukraine nor most EU member states are likely to accept it. *** Host: Volodymyr Yermolenko, a Ukrainian philosopher, editor-in-chief of UkraineWorld, and president of PEN Ukraine. Guest: Tetyana Ogarkova, a Ukrainian journalist and public intellectual, the head of the international department at the Ukraine Crisis Media Centre, and author of the podcast “L’Ukraine face a la guerre: (Ukraine facing the war), in French. *** Explaining Ukraine is produced by UkraineWorld, an English-language media project about Ukraine, run by Internews Ukraine. Listen on various platforms (apple, youtube, spotify, soundcloud, amazon etc): https://li.sten.to/explaining-ukraine *** SUPPORT US: You can support our work on Patreon: www.patreon.com/c/ukraineworld Your contributions are essential, as we rely heavily on crowdfunding. You can also help fund our volunteer trips to frontline areas in Ukraine, where we support both soldiers and civilians. Donations are welcome via PayPal: ukraine.resisting@gmail.com