Journalists Alya Shandra and Bohdan Ben describe what happened on the ground during the Euromaidan Revolution of Dignity. Both participated in this historic grassroots peoples rebellion in 2014 that solidified Ukraine's pivot away from Russia towards Western Europe. Euromaidan with its preceding Orange Revolution is one of the most successful grassroots popular revolts in modern times. As a result. the then-president of Ukraine fled the country, leading to the formation of the government we know, today. Last week, in the first half of our conversation, Alya Shandra and Bohdan Ben described th ..read more

The second part of an interview with Sarah Ashton Cirillo an American journalist who enlisted as a combat medic in the armed forces of Ukraine. She is an American trans woman and the only American female soldier at zero line, the front-most trenches. This interview comes one year after Sarah first spoke with Ukraine 2 4 2. After being hospitalized from serious injury incurred on the frontline, she describes in deeply personal terms, her difficult transition away from combat areas on the front to serving the military in Kyiv as a soldier and an analyst. Sarah also describes, with remarkable ca ..read more

One year after an interview with Ukraine 2 4 2, the first of a two-part interview with Sarah Ashton Cirillo an American journalist who enlisted as a combat medic in the armed forces of Ukraine. She is an American trans woman. During the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, she was the only transgender journalist and then the only American female soldier fighting at zero line, the front-most trenches. Sarah was hit by a missile on the front. After surgery and extended hospitalization to heal, she was presented with the Armed Forces of Ukraine's commander in Chiefs Golden Cross badge of honor. She ..read more

Ukrainian/ English political scientist Dr. Taras Kuzio discusses ways that Russia is seeking to destroy Ukrainian national identity and replace it with militarization and glorification of the Soviet ethos. He discusses new textbooks being used to influence children, kidnapping of children, persecution and murder of Ukrainian citizens who facilitate Ukrainian civil society, and the contrived hunt for Nazis in Ukraine. Kuzio also discusses Russias historical antisemitism and the resurgence of Jewish culture in Ukraine. Dr. Taras Kuzio is a Professor in the Department of Political Science at th ..read more

Ukrainian political scientist Dr. Taras Kuzio discusses the global ramifications of Russias President Putins meeting with North Korean dictator Kim Jung Un in far Eastern Russia, early in September. He describes the coalition that is solidifying to support Russias invasion of Ukraine, including China, Iran and Korea, united against the West and their perception of a US-dominated uni-polar world. Kuzio also discusses how the war is transforming NATOs orientation, how it has affected Russia on the world stage, post-soviet oligarchic society, and what Russias defeat would mean for its allies and ..read more

At the beginning of September, Ukrainian Defense Minister was removed in response to allegations of corruption. Former American Ambassador Daniel Fried discusses this removal along with other internal leadership shake-ups, including the death of leaders of the Wagner military group in Russia as well as how Putin's future is tied to the outcome of his invasion of Ukraine and Russia's patterns of leadership succession. Fried also discusses Ukrainian and Russian actions and positioning on the world stage, including Africa and Syria, and briefly describes American Presidents Bush and Trump's resp ..read more

Athletes are collateral damage in Russia's war with Ukraine, according to Taylor McKee, a researcher committed to analyzing the socio-cultural intersections of sport and society. He discusses how, since 2014, the story of the Russian invasion plays out in theatres of sport as well. In this interview, the discussion focuses on the upcoming Olympic games in Paris, what could play out there, considering the Russian invasion, as well as the general practice of political expression at the Olympics by athletes and the public. The Era of Boycotts in the 70s and 80s is also reviewed, and the failure ..read more

This Week on Ukraine 2 4 2: Urban Warfare and other Battle Knowledge – US Major John Spencer TRT: 29 minutes US Major John Spencer is considered the world's leading expert on urban warfare. In February 2022, he wrote The Mini-Manuel for The Urban Defender, a guidebook for everyday people to defend their territory against military aggressors. The manual was posted online by the Ukrainian military and went viral, enabling Ukrainians to help their military to defeat the February 24 attack by Russia on Kyiv and other major cities. Spencer discusses the concepts in his booklet and answers many ques ..read more

Historian Ekaterina Malygina describes SUCHO - Saving Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Online " an international initiative by more than 1,500 volunteer historians, archivists, librarians, and humanities researchers whose mission is to provide digital support, server space, equipment, and training resources to their colleagues in Ukrainian cultural institutions. The goal is to support the preservation of Ukrainian culture as hundreds of historic buildings, museums, libraries, archives, and websites are being damaged or destroyed by the Russian invasion. An additional goal is to document destructio ..read more

Susan Mathison tells the story of herself and her three friends in Plymouth, New Hampshire who were aghast at the invasion of Ukraine. Feeling called to do something, they used their collective experience and resources as humanitarians, activists, and businesspeople, as well as their connections with Rotary Clubs here and in Poland and Ukraine, to create Common Man For Ukraine. This multi-million-dollar grassroots network for basic humanitarian aid provides food, warmth, and psychological support for orphans, refugee, and displaced children due to the war in Ukraine. The organization runs on d ..read more