Magical Realism and Historical Trauma in Ukraine

The Story Russia Tried to Silence (Ukraine: Part 4 of 4)

Episode 4 (2015–2026) closes our Modern History of Ukraine series. We follow the “cyborgs” who held Donetsk Airport, the rise of Volodymyr Zelensky, and the toppling of Soviet symbols as Ukraine reshapes its identity. We also look at Crimea’s occupation, the Crimea Platform, the fate of the Crimean Tatars, and the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Italy — where the world plans how Ukraine will rebuild. U.S. Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield’s remarks at the UN Security Council meeting on Russian filtration of Ukrainians: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auB1bYECCfA⁠ [ U.S. Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield’s remarks at the UN Security Council meeting on Russian filtration of Ukrainians] Sources/Further Reading: Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC2025) — Official Site Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025 (Rome) https://www.urc-international.com/ [https://www.urc-international.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Office of the President of Ukraine Address by the President to the Participants of the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025 (July 10, 2025) https://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/zvernennya-prezidenta-do-uchasnikiv-konferenciyi-z-pitan-vid-98929 [https://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/zvernennya-prezidenta-do-uchasnikiv-konferenciyi-z-pitan-vid-98929?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Reuters Conference commits over 10 bln euros to Ukraine rebuilding, Italy says (July 10, 2025) https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/conference-commits-over-10-bln-euros-ukraine-rebuilding-italy-says-2025-07-10/ [https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/conference-commits-over-10-bln-euros-ukraine-rebuilding-italy-says-2025-07-10/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Office of the President of Ukraine President Zelenskyy Opens the Inaugural Crimea Platform Summit (Aug. 23, 2021) https://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/prezident-ukrayini-vidkriv-inavguracijnij-samit-krimskoyi-pl-70269 [https://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/prezident-ukrayini-vidkriv-inavguracijnij-samit-krimskoyi-pl-70269] U.S. Department of State Russia’s Filtration Operations and Forced Relocations (2022) https://2021-2025.state.gov/russias-filtration-operations-and-forced-relocations/ [https://2021-2025.state.gov/russias-filtration-operations-and-forced-relocations/] The New Yorker Joshua Yaffa, Inside Russia’s “Filtration Camps” in Eastern Ukraine (Oct. 2022) https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2022/10/10/inside-russias-filtration-camps-in-eastern-ukraine [https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2022/10/10/inside-russias-filtration-camps-in-eastern-ukraine?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Reuters Russian missile strike hits Ukrainian shopping mall in Kremenchuk (June 28, 2022) https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/rescuers-dig-survivors-russian-missile-strike-ukrainian-shopping-mall-2022-06-28/ [https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/rescuers-dig-survivors-russian-missile-strike-ukrainian-shopping-mall-2022-06-28/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Freedom House (Nations in Transit 2014 — Ukraine PDF) Nations in Transit 2014: Ukraine https://freedomhouse.org/sites/default/files/28.%20NIT14_Ukraine_final.pdf [https://freedomhouse.org/sites/default/files/28.%20NIT14_Ukraine_final.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com]

The Story Russia Tried to Silence (Ukraine: Part 3 of 4)

Welcome to Part 3 of 4 in our Modern History of Ukraine series, tracing the last 50 years of Ukraine’s story. In this episode, we break down how corruption and oligarchs became central players in Ukraine’s politics and economy—where they came from, how the system worked, and why it proved so hard to escape. We also explore why Ukraine didn’t move toward Europe sooner, and how ordinary Ukrainians pushed back—culminating in mass protests that reshaped the country. This episode covers Ukraine’s story from 1995 to 2014. Sources / Further Reading 1. Freedom House — Nations in Transit 2014: Ukraine (PDF) ⁠https://freedomhouse.org/sites/default/files/28.%20NIT14_Ukraine_final.pdf⁠ [https://freedomhouse.org/sites/default/files/28.%20NIT14_Ukraine_final.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com] 2. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty — Ukraine-Russia “Trade War” (Aug 2013) ⁠https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-trade-war/25076710.html⁠ [https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-trade-war/25076710.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com] 3. U.S. Department of State — Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Ukraine (2004) ⁠https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2004/41715.htm⁠ [https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2004/41715.htm] 4. Centre for Eastern Studies (OSW) — Ukrainian Parliament Adopts Part of “European Laws” (Sep 25, 2013) ⁠https://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje/analyses/2013-09-25/ukrainian-parliament-adopts-part-european-laws⁠ [https://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje/analyses/2013-09-25/ukrainian-parliament-adopts-part-european-laws?utm_source=chatgpt.com] 5. Anders Åslund (PDF) — [your downloaded PDF] (Dec 3, 2013) (Your local file: aslund20131203.pdf — replace with the public link if you have one) 6. Wikipedia (background dates only) — Leonid Kuchma ⁠https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonid_Kuchma⁠ [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonid_Kuchma?utm_source=chatgpt.com] 7. Wikipedia (background dates only) — Viktor Yushchenko ⁠https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viktor_Yushchenko⁠ [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viktor_Yushchenko] 8. Wikipedia (background dates only) — Yulia Tymoshenko ⁠https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yulia_Tymoshenko⁠ [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yulia_Tymoshenko] 9. Wikipedia (background dates only) — Orange Revolution ⁠https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange_Revolution⁠ [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange_Revolution?utm_source=chatgpt.com] 10. Wikipedia (background dates only) — Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances ⁠https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budapest_Memorandum_on_Security_Assurances⁠ [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budapest_Memorandum_on_Security_Assurances]

The Story Russia Tried to Silence (Ukraine: Part 2 of 4)

Welcome to Part 2 of 4 in our Modern History of Ukraine series, where we cover the last 50 years of Ukraine’s story — the moment Ukraine gets a divorce from Russia. Russia doesn’t want Ukraine to walk away. It says, “Let’s make this work. You can stay in the union — just with more freedoms.” But Ukraine says, “No. I’m done with you.” Like any divorce, it’s messy. They have to figure out who gets the military, who gets the nuclear weapons, and who keeps what. Suddenly, Ukraine is on its own, trying to build a very delicate democracy — and then something remarkable happens in 1994: a peaceful transfer of power between President Leonid Kravchuk and incoming president Leonid Kuchma. Changing leaders without violence is an extraordinary feat. Ukraine is doing the right things — but even here in 1994, it’s still a young democracy, figuring out its place in the world. Based on research from The Gates of Europe by Serhii Plokhy and the Internet Encyclopedia of Ukraine.

The Story Russia Tried to Silence (Ukraine: Part 1 of 4)

Welcome to Diary of the World, Part 1 of our 50-year journey through the modern history of Ukraine. Join host Kerri as she brings to life Ukraine’s story under Soviet rule — from the arrests of Ukrainian dissidents in the 1970s to the Chernobyl disaster and the growing movement for independence. Through vivid storytelling and real historical figures, you’ll experience how freedom and control shaped Ukraine’s path toward sovereignty. From 1972 to 1988, Ukraine remained under Soviet control — but what did that really look like? This episode explores how the policies of Khrushchev, Brezhnev, and Gorbachev shaped life in Ukraine, balancing moments of freedom with periods of strict control. By the end, we’ll see how Ukraine’s growing desire for independence began to take shape. Based on research from The Gates of Europe by Serhii Plokhy and the Internet Encyclopedia of Ukraine.

Magical Realism and Historical Trauma in Ukraine

Professor Michael Naydan (Penn State) joins me to read Yuri Vynnychuk’s short story “An Embroidered World.” We pause at key moments to unpack its symbolism and explore how Ukrainian magical realism helps make sense of historical trauma.