Fog of War

Season 2 | Ep 2 | Ukraine Writes Back: War, Identity & Publishing Bias

What happens when a country at war begins to reclaim its voice in global culture?In this episode, we sit down with Ukrainian journalist, editor of The Ukrainians, and cultural curator Bohdana Neborak to talk about Ukrainian literature, publishing bias, and the politics of visibility in the English-speaking world.📍 Recorded in Kyiv | Guest: Bohdana NeborakWe discuss: – Why Ukrainian books are still hard to find abroad– The limits of “decolonisation” as a buzzword– How Ukrainian identity is shaped by language, trauma and resistance– What war teaches us about ethics, propaganda, and storytelling– And why focusing on culture may be more powerful than fighting lies

Season 2 | Ep 1 | Truth at the Price of Life: What It Takes to Report from Occupied Ukraine

In this episode of Fog of War, investigative journalist with Slidstvo.Info Yanina Korniienko breaks down the dangers, ethics, and evolving role of journalism in Ukraine amid Russia’s full-scale war.From war crimes documentation to self-censorship and international politics, this conversation uncovers the hidden battles journalists face daily.We start with a recent extensive investigation by Slidstvo.Info into journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna disappearance, who was allegedly killed in Russian captivity in September 2024. Yanina provides invaluable insights into what journalists in occupied territories face, how information gets out, and why shifts in U.S. policy could put frontline journalism at risk.

In conversation with Volodymyr Yermolenko: War, Media, and the Battle for Truth | 2025-01-29 | Kyiv

Join us for a compelling live conversation recorded in Kyiv on January 29th with Volodymyr Yermolenko—president of PEN Ukraine, chief editor of UkraineWorld, and host of Kult:Podcast. In this discussion, Yermolenko unpacks the complexities of Ukrainian identity, the historical context of Russian-Ukrainian relations, and the ongoing war. He explores themes of assimilation, imperialism, and the role of language in shaping national identity, while also analyzing how media narratives influence public perception. 📍 Recorded at the office of ICAP Yednannia 🎥 Filming & Editing: Vladyslav Mashkin, The Ukrainians Media 📢 Event Logistics & Communications: 9.Department & Veronika Kobzysta 🔍 Key Topics: ✅ The historical roots of Russian-Ukrainian relations ✅ How language shapes identity and assimilation ✅ The role of media in shaping war narratives ✅ The cultural stakes of Ukraine’s fight for identity ✅ What this means for Europe’s future 📢 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more in-depth conversations on Ukraine, media, and global affairs. ---------- 00:00 - Introduction 00:03:47 - Importance of memory and history in the Russian political project 00:04:32 - Discussion on the conscious effort to erase historical documents 00:05:26 - The symbolic significance of Chersones in Russian history 00:06:58 - The destruction of historical monuments in Crimea 00:08:04 - The role of legacy in European history 00:13:15 - The significance of language in shaping identity 00:14:41 - Language as a tool of imperialism and assimilation 00:20:58 - The challenge of conveying the reality of war to outsiders 00:28:56 - Discussion on genocide and reconciliation post-conflict 00:34:45 - The future of Europe and the rise of authoritarianism 00:50:20 - The balance between power and democracy in society 01:02:25 - The fight for Ukrainian identity as an anti-imperial struggle 01:06:26 - The role of culture in understanding and translating experiences 01:19:20 - The impact of media narratives on public perception 01:21:54 - Closing thoughts and reflections on the discussion

In conversation with Sasha Dovzhyk: Who Speaks for Ukraine? Knowledge, Power, and Decolonisation

Lviv, a city of resistance, ideas, and stories, was the perfect place for our latest conversation on epistemic injustice, Ukraine’s agency in global knowledge production, and the decolonisation of how Ukraine is understood. Together with writer, curator, and academic Sasha Dovzhyk, we unpacked the gaps in global knowledge about Ukraine, the ways historical narratives shape (or distort) perceptions, and what it takes to reclaim our voice on our own terms. 📍 Hosted at INDEX: Institute for Documentation and Exchange, the discussion brought together those shaping Ukraine’s intellectual and cultural landscape—and those eager to rethink it.

Ep. 6 - How Strategic Communications Activism Delivers Results in Wartime

In this episode, co-hosts Jonathan Fink and Yaroslava Bukhta sit down with Valeriia Voshchevska, a Ukrainian human rights activist and digital strategist working with UNITED24.Media and several other impactful projects. Valeriia, formerly the Global Head of Digital Engagement at Amnesty International, brings her expertise in communications and activism to the conversation. Valeriia shares her work on the intersection of communications, activism, and environmental movements. She talks about her recent project with the Ukraine Solidarity Project, which highlighted how Russian warfare is being funded through a shadow fleet of oil tankers passing near the EU. Valeriia also discusses the digital campaign that successfully pushed Unilever to sell its business in Russia.