Peace & Power Ukraine

Ep. 62 - Why Putin Is Losing Despite Four Years of War w/Steven Moore

Is Vladimir Putin actually winning the war in Ukraine—or does the reality look very different from the headlines? In this episode of Peace and Power Ukraine, host Gary Marx welcomes back Steven Moore, founder of the Ukraine Freedom Project and a leading advocate for Ukraine’s fight for freedom, for a wide-ranging discussion from Kyiv on the state of the war, Russia’s mounting challenges, and the resilience of the Ukrainian people. Moore provides updates from the ground in Ukraine, discusses recent Russian attacks on Kyiv, and explains why he believes the war is increasingly exposing weaknesses within Russia despite the Kremlin’s efforts to project strength. The conversation covers: • Russia’s latest missile and drone attacks on Kyiv • Ukraine’s growing ability to strike targets inside Russia • Why Moore argues Putin is losing the war • The economic and military costs Russia has incurred • The role of drones in reshaping modern warfare • Poland’s growing importance to European security • NATO, European defense spending, and energy dependence on Russia • The Ukraine Freedom Project and advocacy efforts • The continuing success of the Faith Under Siege documentary series • Russia’s persecution of religious communities in occupied Ukraine • The destruction of churches and religious sites across Ukraine • Life in Kyiv during wartime The discussion also revisits Faith Under Siege, the documentary project that has reached millions of viewers by highlighting the experiences of Ukrainian Christians living under Russian occupation and documenting attacks on religious communities throughout the war. Throughout the episode, Moore argues that many Western audiences remain unaware of Ukraine’s successes inside Russia, including strikes against military targets far beyond the front lines, and that these developments are changing the strategic balance of the conflict. The episode concludes with reflections on Ukraine’s resilience, the importance of faith during wartime, and an unexpectedly spirited discussion about Ukraine’s surprisingly impressive gas station food culture. 00:00 — Putin’s costs after four years of war 00:32 — Intro + Steven Moore joins from Kyiv 01:26 — Life in Ukraine during wartime 03:03 — Updates on the Ukraine Freedom Project 03:59 — Faith Under Siege reaches millions 05:21 — Faith under Russian occupation 07:02 — Churches destroyed across Ukraine 09:13 — Russia’s weaponization of religion 10:10 — Massive attacks on Kyiv 13:07 — Ukraine strikes back inside Russia 15:08 — The drone war and Russia’s vulnerabilities 17:48 — Russia, Iran, and security concerns 20:00 — Why Moore says Putin is losing 23:05 — Poland’s growing strategic importance 25:03 — NATO, Europe, and Russian energy 27:44 — Ukraine’s famous gas station hot dogs 29:18 — Final thoughts and closing remarks Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@PeacePower_FNW Follow us on social media X: @PeaceAndPower_ Instagram: peaceandpower_ukraine LinkedIn: Peace & Power Podcast TikTok: peace.power.ukraine   Find more at Washington Signal Your source for policy, national security, and investigative journalism. https://washingtonsignal.com/

Ukraine, China, NATO, & America’s Global Leadership w/Leon Panetta

What are the biggest threats facing democracy today—and what role should the United States play in confronting them? In this episode of Peace and Power Ukraine, host Gary Marx is joined by Leon Panetta, former Director of the CIA, former U.S. Secretary of Defense, former White House Chief of Staff, and longtime member of Congress, for a wide-ranging discussion on Ukraine, China, NATO, Iran, and the future of American leadership in an increasingly dangerous world. Drawing on more than five decades of public service, Panetta reflects on the global security challenges facing the United States and its allies, the lessons of history, and why democratic nations must remain united against authoritarian aggression. The conversation covers: • President Trump’s China summit and U.S.-China relations • Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, and authoritarian partnerships • Lessons from Ukraine’s resistance against Russia • Why Panetta believes Putin cannot be trusted • Taiwan and deterrence in the Indo-Pacific • The future of NATO and allied cooperation • U.S. support for Ukraine and bipartisan backing in Congress • Drone warfare and the lessons of modern conflict • Iran, nuclear negotiations, and the Strait of Hormuz • Chernobyl, nuclear security, and international cooperation Panetta also discusses the work of the Panetta Institute for Public Policy, his efforts to encourage young Americans to pursue public service, and why he believes compromise and effective governance remain essential to the health of American democracy. Throughout the discussion, he argues that the United States must continue leading from a position of strength, maintain strong alliances, and remain engaged in world affairs if it hopes to preserve stability and security in the decades ahead. The episode closes with a reflection on America’s 250th anniversary and why Panetta believes the nation’s greatest strength ultimately lies not in Washington, but in the resilience, character, and dedication of the American people. 00:00 — Leon Panetta on today’s global dangers 00:20 — Intro + Leon Panetta joins 04:42 — The Panetta Institute and public service 08:25 — Reflections on 50 years in government 09:57 — Trump’s China summit and Xi Jinping 12:45 — China, Russia, Iran, and global security threats 13:11 — Lessons from Ukraine’s resistance 16:25 — What the U.S. should learn from Ukraine 18:03 — Taiwan and deterrence in the Indo-Pacific 19:03 — Iran, nuclear negotiations, and the Strait of Hormuz 21:01 — U.S. aid to Ukraine and congressional support 22:07 — Drones and the future of warfare 24:04 — Chernobyl and nuclear security 25:59 — NATO’s future and allied cooperation 29:07 — America at 250 years: Panetta’s final message 30:31 — Closing thoughts Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@PeacePower_FNW Follow us on social media X: @PeaceAndPower_ Instagram: peaceandpower_ukraine LinkedIn: Peace & Power Podcast TikTok: peace.power.ukraine   Find more at Washington Signal Your source for policy, national security, and investigative journalism. https://washingtonsignal.com/

Ep. 60 - Russia’s Abducted Children: The 20,000 Teddy Bear Protest w/Julian Hayda & Katya Pavlevych

How do you make people truly understand the scale of Russia’s abduction of Ukrainian children? In this episode of Peace and Power Ukraine, host Gary Marx is joined by Julian Hayda, Associate Director of Public Engagement at Razom for Ukraine [https://www.razomforukraine.org?utm_source=chatgpt.com], and Katya Pavlevych, Advisor on Children’s Issues at Razom for Ukraine and policy advisor with the American Coalition for Ukraine [https://americancoalitionforukraine.org?utm_source=chatgpt.com], for a powerful discussion about Russia’s forced deportation and indoctrination of Ukrainian children.  The conversation centers around Razom’s massive National Mall installation featuring 20,000 teddy bears — each representing a Ukrainian child abducted by Russia since the full-scale invasion began. The guests explain how the exhibit was designed, assembled, and displayed directly in the shadow of the U.S. Capitol to force public attention back onto the issue. Major topics include: * The 20,000 teddy bear installation on the National Mall * Russia’s abduction and indoctrination of Ukrainian children * Why the issue became central to Putin’s war crimes accusations * The challenges of documenting abducted children safely * Melania Trump’s involvement in advocating for returned children * Congressional attention and new U.S. funding initiatives * Rehabilitation efforts for returned children * Historical parallels between past and present Russian policies * Why the guests believe the war cannot truly end until the children return The episode also explores the emotional and psychological dimension of the issue, including how volunteers spent hundreds of hours assembling the installation and why the campaign resonated so deeply with both Ukrainian-Americans and broader American audiences. Hayda and Pavlevych discuss the difficulty of communicating a crime that is often invisible to the public eye, especially when many children’s identities must remain protected to avoid jeopardizing rescue operations. The conversation closes with a broader reflection on freedom, self-determination, family, and why both guests believe the issue of abducted children sits at the moral center of Russia’s war against Ukraine. 00:00 — “The war is not over until the kids come home” 00:19 — Intro + the abducted children crisis 01:10 — Meet Julian Hayda and Katya Pavlevych 02:09 — The 20,000 teddy bear installation explained 03:42 — Why Razom created the display 06:07 — Media coverage and public reaction 07:13 — The message behind the installation 08:22 — Putin, war crimes, and abducted children 10:09 — Why the issue faded from public attention 12:28 — Melania Trump’s involvement in the issue 15:29 — Children reunited with families after years 17:27 — Stories of abducted Ukrainian children 20:02 — Why the guests call it cultural annihilation 21:14 — Plans to take the installation nationwide 23:29 — Volunteers and assembling 20,000 teddy bears 25:00 — U.S. funding for abducted children programs 28:36 — Why Julian Hayda joined the fight 31:27 — Katya Pavlevych’s personal story 34:11 — Final thoughts + “How can you not be involved?” Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@PeacePower_FNW Follow us on social media X: @PeaceAndPower_ Instagram: peaceandpower_ukraine LinkedIn: Peace & Power Podcast TikTok: peace.power.ukraine   Find more at Washington Signal Your source for policy, national security, and investigative journalism. https://washingtonsignal.com/

Ep. 59 - Faith Under Fire & Ukraine’s Spiritual Resistance w/Rev. Ivan Kunderenko

What happens to faith communities when war deliberately targets churches, pastors, and places of worship? In this episode of Peace and Power Ukraine, host Gary Marx is joined by Ivan Kunderenko, pastor, educator, and member of the American Ukrainian Christian Alliance, for a powerful discussion on religious freedom, spiritual resilience, and the deliberate targeting of churches during Russia’s war against Ukraine. Kunderenko shares firsthand insight into Ukraine’s growing prayer breakfast movement, interfaith cooperation, and the role churches continue to play in supporting communities under the pressures of war. A major focus of the episode is the recent precision-guided bomb strike on a Baptist church in Zaporizhzhia — an attack Kunderenko argues was deliberate, not accidental. The discussion covers: • Ukraine’s growing interfaith prayer breakfast movement • “Spiritual diplomacy” and faith-based advocacy • The deliberate strike on a Baptist church in Zaporizhzhia • Russia’s broader repression of religious communities • Rebuilding churches and communities during wartime • What spiritual resilience actually looks like in Ukraine • Putin’s propaganda, historical narratives, and the war’s moral dimension The episode also explores the emotional and spiritual realities of life during wartime, including trauma, grief, perseverance, and the role churches continue to play in preserving community and hope. A major takeaway from the conversation is that Ukraine’s religious communities are not simply surviving — they are actively rebuilding, organizing, and strengthening civil society even amid ongoing attacks. The episode closes with a reflection on why many Ukrainians view the defense of their country not only as a national struggle, but as a moral and spiritual responsibility tied to freedom, dignity, and the ability to worship openly. 00:00 — Intro + Ivan Kunderenko joins 01:33 — Ukraine’s nationwide prayer breakfast movement 04:08 — Interfaith cooperation during wartime 05:47 — Experiencing missile alerts in Kyiv 07:32 — Ukraine’s next National Prayer Breakfast 09:44 — “Spiritual diplomacy” explained 11:15 — The church strike in Zaporizhzhia 13:07 — Why the attack appeared deliberate 15:41 — Russia’s repression of churches in occupied areas 19:15 — Rebuilding the destroyed church 21:25 — Ukrainian resilience and rebuilding communities 22:27 — What “spiritual strength” really means 25:25 — Putin, propaganda, and Victory Day narratives 30:08 — Why Ukraine chose to fight back 32:01 — Closing thoughts Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@PeacePower_FNW Follow us on social media X: @PeaceAndPower_ Instagram: peaceandpower_ukraine LinkedIn: Peace & Power Podcast TikTok: peace.power.ukraine   Find more at Washington Signal Your source for policy, national security, and investigative journalism. https://washingtonsignal.com/

Ep. 58 - Drone Warfare, Kherson & Ukraine’s Frontline Reality w/Denver Riggleman

What does modern warfare actually look like on the front lines in Ukraine? In this episode of Peace and Power Ukraine, host Gary Marx is joined by former Congressman, Air Force intelligence officer, and filmmaker Denver Riggleman to discuss his new documentary Drone Hunters of Kherson — a firsthand look at the brutal reality of drone warfare in southern Ukraine. Riggleman shares what he witnessed while traveling through Kherson, Mykolaiv, and Odessa alongside Ukrainian drone-hunting teams tasked with defending civilians and soldiers from constant Russian drone attacks. The conversation explores how the war in Ukraine has evolved into a terrifying hybrid of trench warfare and advanced technological combat — where small drone teams armed with rifles, machine guns, electronic warfare tools, and soon potentially lasers are reshaping the battlefield. The discussion covers: • The making of Drone Hunters of Kherson • How Ukrainian teams shoot down Russian drones in real time • Why modern drone warfare looks like “Terminator meets World War I” • Fiber optic drones and why traditional jamming no longer works • Why Ukraine has become the global leader in drone warfare • How quickly battlefield technology is evolving • The future of laser and directed-energy weapons • Why the U.S. military risks falling behind in drone combat • The strategic importance of Kherson and southern Ukraine • Agriculture, mines, and protecting Ukraine’s food supply • What life looks like for civilians near the front lines • The psychological reality of constant drone attacks The episode also explores the broader geopolitical picture surrounding the war, including recent U.S. military aid, Russia’s ongoing offensives, and the long-term importance of supporting Ukraine. Additional topics include: • The latest U.S. aid package for Ukraine • Chernobyl and repairing damage caused by Russian attacks • Why Riggleman believes stronger U.S. support was needed earlier • The similarities between the Ukraine war and America’s Civil War • The human side of Ukrainians fighting relatives and former friends across the border A major takeaway from the conversation is that Ukrainians are not fighting out of hatred — but out of necessity. Riggleman recounts a moment in Mykolaiv where a Ukrainian told him: “We don’t hate Russians. We just want them to leave us alone.” The episode highlights both the human cost of the war and the rapid transformation of warfare itself — lessons that will shape military strategy for decades to come. 00:00 — Intro + Denver Riggleman joins 03:55 — Military background and why Ukraine matters 05:56 — Drone Hunters of Kherson documentary 08:21 — Frontline drone teams and combat reality 09:14 — Fiber optic drones and evolving tactics 11:20 — Why Ukraine leads the world in drone warfare 12:07 — Kherson battlefield update and trench warfare 13:56 — Where to watch the documentary 15:11 — Learning to shoot down drones 16:47 — Future laser weapons and directed-energy warfare 20:06 — Why Kherson matters strategically 22:25 — U.S. aid and support for Ukraine 24:06 — Chernobyl, Russia, and nuclear risks 27:13 — Personal reflections from Ukraine 29:16 — Ukraine, Russia, and Civil War comparisons 31:01 — Closing thoughts Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@PeacePower_FNW Follow us on social media X: @PeaceAndPower_ Instagram: peaceandpower_ukraine LinkedIn: Peace & Power Podcast TikTok: peace.power.ukraine   Find more at Washington Signal Your source for policy, national security, and investigative journalism. https://washingtonsignal.com/