History in the Making: The War in Ukraine

One of the most underreported stories of the horrific crimes Russia has committed relates to what Russia has done to children. Aside from killing hundreds of children in attacks deep within Ukraine, including intentionally targeting maternity wards and kindergartens, what we’ll focus on today is the kidnapping, forced deportation, and re-education of Ukrainian children stolen from Ukrainian territory into Russia. This is why the ICC issued arrest warrants for Vladimir Putin. Please listen in as this story has been terribly underreported and this war crime has gone far too little noticed outside of Ukraine.About the GuestDr. Thom Reilly is a Professor in Public Affairs at Arizona State University, author of the forthcoming book, Child Abduction in the War in Ukraine: Erasing Ukrainian Identity as a Tool of War (scheduled for late 2026). He has done extensive research in Ukraine speaking with the recovered children themselves, state officials, charities dedicated to these kidnapped children, the UN and other international organizations likewise working on this, among numerous others. To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ To connect and message with Mark on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910 Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

I for one became super encouraged for Ukraine after doing this interview. The last few months, and specifically the past few weeks, things have taken a turn for Ukraine on the battlefield. Ukraine has taken back more land than Russia has gained lately. Ukraine is eliminating more men than Russia can recruit. Ukraine has taken back the technological edge. And Ukraine is now winning. Tune in to this one for some optimism regarding Ukraine's fight on the battlefield. I had the pleasure to have back on the show my friend and great war correspondent, Giorgio Provinciali, who has see it all across the entire front the last 4 years. We talked about the fight underground, above ground, in the air, middle range, and long range for a comprehensive picture of what has developed at the front and why we should expect good things ahead for Ukraine.About the Guest:Giorgio Provinciali, War Correspondent, Writes from the trenches of democracy in Ukraine. Engineer, journalist, war reporter. Medium writer since November 2023.Read more from Giorgio:https://medium.com/@giorgioprovincialiThe article referred to in the podcast regarding Ukraine's technological advantage:https://medium.com/@giorgioprovinciali/ukraine-is-setting-the-pace-6e468483c5d8 To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ To connect and message with Mark on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910 Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

We all read in history books the horrors of World War II, and collectively said "never again". Yet here we are in Europe, and it's happening again. Far too often I speak with those outside of Ukraine who have either forgotten about what Russia has done to innocent civilians in Ukraine or who are entirely unaware of what has happened. To help correct that, I was motivated to do this podcast with the head of the UN Human Rights Mission in Ukraine, Danielle Bell. The sharp rise in indiscriminate attacks on civilians lately, the kidnapped children, the torture of Ukrainian POWs, the "dire" situation for Ukrainians in Russian-occupied territory, and much more - we cover as much as possible to remind the world of the horrors of what Russia has done in Ukraine. Please do share this episode to help keep up awareness. It's concerning how many people outside Ukraine are unaware of the severity of what Russia has done here. Reports cited in the show:UN report on "human safari" - https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2025/05/un-commission-concludes-russian-armed-forces-drone-attacks-against-civiliansUN report on forced displacement - https://ukraine.ohchr.org/en/Forced-displacement-from-territory-of-Ukraine-occupied-by-the-Russian-FederationUN report on impact on children - https://ukraine.ohchr.org/en/The-impact-of-the-armed-conflict-and-occupation-on-childrens-rights-in-Ukraine-24-February-2022-31-December-2024About the GuestDanielle Bell is the Head of Mission, UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU). She has led UN human rights programs for more than 25 years, working mainly in conflict and post-conflict contexts. Prior to coming to Ukraine, Ms. Bell served as the Chief of the Human Rights Office in the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) and the representative in Iraq of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), a position she held since 2018, after leading the UN human rights component in Afghanistan at the same level 2015 to 2018. Since 2001, Ms. Bell has also led human rights teams within UN peace missions in South Sudan, Central African Republic, Sudan (Darfur) and Timor-Leste. To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ To connect and message with Mark on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910 Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

I was honored to have back on the show Dr. Sergey Radchenko - though this time the focus of the conversation was not about history or negotiations, but instead on his own inspiring and thought-provoking personal journey. Recently he published in the British paper The Guardian his personal journey in renouncing his Russian citizenship due to the disgust he felt at being associated as a Russian with the atrocities and war crimes of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In that powerful piece, Dr. Radchenko reflects on his own identity, internal struggle, and sense of collective guilt he felt due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. We also had time at the end to discuss the state of affairs of the War in Ukraine and the War in Iran, and Dr. Radchenko's view of negotiations and where they sit in their historical context. Given the lack of progress in talks with Russia, what does Trump not understand about dealing with the Russians?Is the War in Iran as positive for Russia as it seems?Is the War in Iran the US's Suez Crisis (the end of the British empire)? Read the full article in The Guardian here - https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/09/i-had-poked-the-bear-right-in-the-eye-my-fight-to-renounce-my-russian-citizenship The Foreign Policy article - https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/03/30/trump-putin-iran-war-hormuz-oil-israel-sanctions/About the GuestDr. Sergey Radchenko is a leading historian of Soviet/Russian foreign policy and Sino-Russian relations at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ To connect and message with Mark on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910 Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

If you're looking for some inspiration, listen in to this conversation with Superhumans CEO Olga Rudnieva. This one will hit your emotions. Having helped thousands of amputees from the war, the stories of resilience and strength of Ukraine's heroes are overwhelming. How do amputees recover both physically and mentally? What keeps them going? This show isn't about trauma - its about the dreams that keep people going after having suffered immensely. The dream to hold your child once again. To walk again. To simply be able to stand up to pee. That's how you go from losing a leg at the front to running a marathon. The dreams keep you alive. Understand why most of the amputees say losing their limb was the best thing that ever happened to them. Special thanks to Olga for taking the time from her critical work to speak with me and get the message out about Superhumans - Ukraine's heroes. Prosthetics and mental recovery from war are yet just additional areas where Ukraine will lead the Western world in the future. The Superhumans Center is a specialist clinic for the treatment and rehabilitation of war victims with specialist in orthopedic trauma, reconstructive and Plastics Surgery, Facial Surgery and Ear Nose and Throat Surgery as well as rehabilitation specialists and prostheticians.About the GuestOlga is the co-founder and CEO of the Superhumans Center in Ukraine which has treated over 4,000 wounded amputees from the Russia-Ukraine conflict since 2022. In December 2024, she was named in BBC's 100 women for her work inspiring others.Website: http://superhumans.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rudnieva_olga/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olgarudneva/ To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

We recorded this episode on April 4th, the International Mine Awareness Day, to highlight the situation Ukraine is in as the most heavily mined country in the world.I had the pleasure of speaking with the head of the UN's Mine Action program here in Ukraine, Paul Heslop, on this important day. We discussed the scale of the mine problem in Ukraine, how de-mining is done, innovations in de-mining developed in Ukraine, and the outlook ahead. To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

The US has an outsized influence on world events. So much here in Ukraine and elsewhere hinges on the policies of Trump.For that reason, I did this episode to help non-Americans (but I think will be informative for Americans as well) understand the mindset of the Trump voter.In Part 1, we explored domestic issues and general perceptions. In this second part, we shift to foreign policy and global conflicts.In short, I have been asked the last decade living in Europe by European friends and colleagues: Who votes for Trump and what are they thinking? Instead of again trying to answer this on my own, I got questions from several of my European friends and posed them to a Trump supporter – and my oldest brother, Dave McNamee. He in turn sent the questions to 6 of his friends, likewise all Trump voters the past ten years, to get a more comprehensive view of the motivations and mindset of the Trump voter.US involvement in foreign wars, relations with Russia and China, war in Ukraine, Iran…How does the Trump voter view all these things?And above all, the ultimate question in my opinion: “Is there a red line? What would Trump have to do to lose your support?”—this time in the context of foreign policy and potential military involvement.Please note that this episode has nothing to do with my views, as that’s not the point of this episode. Some of what Dave says I agree with, other points I completely disagree with, but that’s irrelevant. I’m trying to communicate the view of tens of millions of voters to people outside the US who are truly bewildered.And lastly, while anecdotal and just the thoughts of a few citizens in a nation of 335 mn people, I do think the views shared here are highly representative of tens of millions of Trump voters: these are all middle-aged, white, Christian, males, college educated, and professionally successful (in the top 10% of income earners), residing in suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio, a mid-sized Midwestern city.About the GuestDave McNamee, President at DMC Benefits General Agency, Resident of Cleveland, Ohio and oldest brother of the podcast host Mark. To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

The US has an outsized influence on world events. So much here in Ukraine and elsewhere hinges on the policies of Trump.For that reason, I did this episode to help non-Americans (but I think will be informative for Americans as well) understand the mindset of the Trump voter.In short, I have been asked the last decade living in Europe by European friends and colleagues: Who votes for Trump and what are they thinking? Instead of again trying to answer this on my own, I got questions from several of my European friends and posed them to a Trump supporter - and my oldest brother, Dave McNamee. He in turn sent the questions to 6 of his friends, likewise all Trump voters the past ten years, to get a more comprehensive view of the motivations and mindset of the Trump voter.January 6th, erosion of rule of law, ICE, Epstein files, war in Ukraine, war in Iran….How does the Trump voter view all these things?And above all, the ultimate question in my opinion: “Is there a red line? What would Trump have to do to lose your support?”Please note that this episode has nothing to do with my views, as that’s not the point of this episode. Some of what Dave says I agree with, other points I completely disagree with, but that’s irrelevant. I’m trying to communicate the view of tens of millions of voters to people outside the US who are truly bewildered.And lastly, while anecdotal and just the thoughts of a few citizens in a nation of 335 mn people, I do think the views shared here are highly representative of tens of millions of Trump voters: these are all middle-aged, white, Christian, males, college educated, and professionally successful (in the top 10% of incomes earners), residing in suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio a mid-sized Midwestern city.Enjoy the show!About the GuestDave McNamee, President at DMC Benefits General Agency, Resident of Cleveland, Ohio and oldest brother of the podcast host Mark. To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

I had the great pleasure in this episode in speaking with a world-renowned expert on Iran and militant Shia groups in the Middle East - and also an old friend from my Washington DC days - Phillip Smyth, to discuss the War in Iran and where it is heading. We covered it all - what does Trump do next? What does Iran do next? Will the Houthis soon cause problems for global trade on the other side of the Arabian peninsula? What will Israel do if Trump backs off? And how do the Gulf states respond? etc. etc.We also touched upon the impact on the global economy, the impact on Ukraine from this war, and the Iranian-Russian partnership. Tune in for truly a fascinating episode.About the GuestPhillip Smyth, world-renowned expert on Shia militant groups in the Middle East, former fellow at the Washington Institute of the Near East as well as at the Atlantic Council, and currently serves on the Counterterrorism Advisory Board of Homeland Security Today. Phillip has testified at numerous Congressional Hearings related to the Middle East. To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

What is the front like these days in this new era of drones?What is the situation around Pokrovsk?Is Ukraine's biggest issue manpower or actually weapons?And did America actually support Russia to defeat the Ukrainians in Kursk?Tune in to this episode to hear the answers to this and much more from a war correspondent who has been living and reporting from the front since the start of the full-scale invasion in early 2022. Close brushes with death, chased by Russian drones, witness to numerous Russian war crimes, years spent with Ukrainian soldiers - this episode has it all for those interested in understanding what's really going on at the front. About the GuestGiorgio Provinciali, War Correspondent, Writes from the trenches of democracy in Ukraine. Engineer, journalist, war reporter. Medium writer since November 2023.Read more from Giorgio:https://medium.com/@giorgioprovinciali To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

Last week marked the 4-year anniversary of Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. To mark this date, I had the great pleasure to speak with Gen. David Petraeus to do an overview of where the war is today and where it’s heading. Among other topics discussed, we focused on:Why Americans should consider Ukraine vital to US national securityHow the West/Ukraine can stop PutinThe current state of the battlefield and outlook this yearThe primary lessons Western militaries can learn from UkraineAnd lastly, are Ukrainians currently "The Greatest Generation" of America's past?About the GuestGeneral David Petraeus, served over 37 years in the U.S. military, including command of the Surge in Iraq, command of U.S. Central Command, and command of coalition forces in Afghanistan. Following retirement from the military, Gen. Petraeus served as Director of the CIA under President Obama. He is currently a Partner at KKR.Articles by Gen. PetraeusForeign Affairs: https://www.foreignaffairs.com/middle-east/autonomous-battlefieldNational Interest: https://nationalinterest.org/feature/for-china-the-ukraine-war-is-a-laboratory  To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

Does Ukraine have a Nazi problem?How pervasive is far-right nationalism in Ukraine?What is the history of the Kremlin's propaganda campaign about Ukrainian Nazis?Why does Moscow insist on calling Ukrainians all Nazis?And what about Nazism in Russia?We touch upon all of this in this very illuminating episode with Dr. Taras Kuzio, who has researched and written extensively on the topic for years.I admit that this is not an area of specialty of mine but am of course familiar with the issue. As usual with Kremlin propaganda, there is a kernel of truth to all of this as there exists of course far-right nationalist groups in Ukraine. The question is how pervasive and influential are they, and where this Kremlin propaganda comes from. Dr. Kuzio helped me better understand this and will be highly informative to listeners. And enjoy the voice of Start Wars' Mark Hamill announcing the end of an air raid alert in the middle of the podcast:)About the GuestTaras Kuzio, British Professor of Political Science at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. His area of study is Russian and Ukrainian political, economic and security affairs, and he has contributed pieces to the Atlantic Council and Foreign Affairs. To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

We delved into yet another Kremlin lie, this one a recurring theme literally for the past 60 years going back to the Soviet era - US biolabs around the word out to attack Russia. To reveal this lie, I spoke with Dr. Dmytro Stepanskyi, the head of Microbiology at the Dnipro State University. In short, this is an interesting propaganda tool by the Kremlin because they are directly accusing the US of what the Kremlin does - possesses covert biolabs which have been used to kill individuals outside of Russia. Some important links regarding to the topic:https://thebulletin.org/2025/12/a-decade-of-chemical-and-biological-disinformation-mapped/https://thebulletin.org/2022/10/the-russian-biological-weapons-program-in-2022/?fbclid=IwY2xjawPjB29leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFZVTRPcGxweXM5Vk1xQnpxc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHokiKQtnstu7X9ZIH-8WzwdAP96ak5bF6Hw1-0IenpQVbY756nPYq6H_5oPF_aem_MzAbLH28nKKxOoOtS5rCkQhttps://www.lawfaremedia.org/contributors/dreganhttps://councilonstrategicrisks.org/2025/04/04/biological-threats-in-the-us-annual-threat-assessment-a-consistent-view-reinforces-the-need-for-continued-action/About the GuestDr. Dmytro Stepanskyi, MD, PhD, Professor, Head of department of Microbiology, Virology, Immunology and Epidemiology – Dnipro State Medical  University, American Society for Microbiology Ambassador to Ukraine To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

With peace talks ongoing for the past year Trump has been in office, it's worth asking: where are we with the peace process and where will things go from here?We've hit another inflection point it seems. Trump's White House is eager to claim 90% of work is done with the peace talks. The West seems to have largely aligned around their position and the US seems to believe a deal could be coming. However, the experts I spoke with in this episode are far more skeptical. And as am I. Are these talks credible and leading somewhere?Is Putin interested in reaching a deal?Could Zelenskyi agree to what's on the table?Is Europe's Coalition of the Willing a serious proposal?Where do we go from here?Listen in to get the answers to this and many other questions from two of the leading political scientists focused on Ukraine: Taras Kuzio and Paul D'Anieri. About the GuestsTaras Kuzio, British Professor of Political Science at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. His area of study is Russian and Ukrainian political, economic and security affairs, and he has contributed pieces to the Atlantic Council and Foreign Affairs.Paul D'Anieri, Professor of Political Science and former Provost of University of California, Riverside, specializing politics and international relations in the former Soviet Union, focusing on Ukraine and Russia. He has been called “one of the leading scholars of the study of contemporary Ukraine” To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

It's always nice to meet and speak with like-minded, passionate, empathetic people who dedicate their lives to something bigger than themselves.And that's what this podcast was all about. I had the great pleasure of speaking with a proud Ukraine supporter, who also comes from my hometown of Cleveland! Brandon Chrostowski has travelled multiple times to Ukraine to help, not because of his heritage (he's not Ukrainian) but just because it's the right thing to do and he has a skill that can contribute to some good. Listen in for some inspiration from a guy who is doing great stuff for the people of Ukraine, those in other conflict zones, as well as those in Cleveland. About the GuestBrandon Chrostowski, Chef, Restaurateur, and Politician residing in Cleveland, Ohio. He is the founder, president, and CEO of EDWINS Leadership and Restaurant Institute, an NGO that acts as both a French restaurant and culinary institute training former prison inmates. Chrostowski is also a certified sommelier and a fromager, and ran for mayor of Cleveland in 2017. He has visited Ukraine (and other conflict zones) multiple times, bringing food, conducting cooking classes,  and rebuilding a children's hospital, while also providing financial support to those suffering from the war. To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

I admit I departed from my usual more detached analytical style, and spoke a bit more from the heart in this one. Too much has happened and for too long to not do a podcast like this. Most of my adult life I have spent in Europe and so have gained a solid perspective on how Europeans and other non-Americans view the US and how these views have developed. I'm also asked routinely by friends and family back in the US how non-Americans view the US. So in this episode, motivated by Trump's threats to European and NATO democratic allies, I felt compelled to dive into these perceptions and touched upon what it means to be American. Who are we as Americans if we don't have principles and beliefs that we ascribe to? To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

With so much disinformation about the war particularly at this moment, I felt it would be good to do a show on some of these lies. Although I was hoping we could delve into the many myths of this war, we ended up speaking primarily about the central myth of this war: the Russian lie that this is a defensive war in retaliation against the last 30 years of NATO expansion. Listen in to understand the numerous reasons why this is clearly a lie. I had the great pleasure speaking with Dr. Branislav Slantchev, a professor of Political Science at UC San Diego, who helped provide extensive evidence and quotes by Russian leaders themselves clearly setting the record straight and proving this is a war of Russian imperial aggression, not a defensive war against NATO. His Foreign Affairs article  - https://www.foreignaffairs.com/ukraine/obstacles-diplomacy-ukraineAnd I highly recommend you follow him on X at https://x.com/slantchevAbout the GuestDr. Branislav Slantchev is a Professor of Political Science at the University of California San Diego. Slantchev teaches courses in international relations, national security, and game theory. To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

So what now in Venezuela? Trump has put himself in dangerous territory by removing a foreign leader and now vowing to "run" the country, precisely what he has promised his MAGA support base the US under him would no longer do. What happens next? Why did he do it?And above all, how will it impact Ukraine?If history is any indicator, I'm not optimistic for how this plays out for Trump, which ironically may work to Ukraine's favor. Tune in to find out why. To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

There's an information war going on related to the War in Ukraine, and unfortunately Russia has been very successful in spreading its propaganda into the West and influencing popular perceptions and also policy-makers themselves. I thought it would be informative to have on the show a Ukrainian who recently moved to the US and what she has seen on the ground related to Americans' perspectives on the war and what has been alarming to her. In our discussion we touched upon the war itself, what Americans believe and understand, views on the Russian opposition and Navalny himself, as well as issues like language and religion in Ukraine. Please listen in to better understand and expose this information war. About the GuestOlga Usenko, Strategic Communications and Legal Market Analyst with nearly 20 years of experience leading high-impact research and media projects in Ukraine’s legal sector. Olga holda a PhD in International Economics and is currently a Fellow at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University, focusing on strategic communications and global partnerships for Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction and investment growth. To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

Over 6 mn Ukrainians fled their homeland after the full-scale invasion and have since settled abroad, mostly in Europe. In country after country, Ukrainians economic and financial contribution far outpaces the social support provided to them by those countries. To delve into this story, specifically as it pertains to the US, I had a very informative discussion with Oleksandr Romanishyn, a former Deputy Minister of Economy and current head of the think tank ISE group. He launched an Impact Study into Ukrainians' contribution to the US economy, which is far more substantial than I possibly could have imagined. Oleksandr Romanyshin is a policymaker and economist, having served as Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine (2020-2021). He is currently a Board Member of ISE Group and an Advisor to the Ukrainian American Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UACCI). With over 15 years of experience spanning government, IFIs, and corporate finance, he has contributed to Ukraine’s post-war recovery strategy, including inputs to the European Commission’s €50 billion Ukraine Facility. He was engaged in M&A and corporate finance in such companies as EY, Volwest Group, and Midland Group. He was the head of the World Bank's private sector development project in Ukraine. Beyond that, Oleksandr has published critical work on disinformation, the state of Ukraine's energy infrastructure, and local governance - all of which we discussed in the podcast. Links as noted in the podcast:Impact Study: https://ise-group.org/impact-studyPlatform UA2USA: https://ua2usa.org/ ISE's work on disinformation: https://ise-group.org/disinformationAI and disinformation policy paper: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/artificial-intelligence/articles/10.3389/frai.2025.1569115 To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

How do so many Russians either outright support this war or at least passively approve it? And what about Russians in Moscow and St. Petersburg? Do they have a more Western political culture?Can Russia ever drop its imperialistic mentality and make the country less violent abroad?To answer these questions and more, I spoke with Dr. Botakoz Kassymbekova, an expert on Russia imperialism, to discuss the concept of Russia's Imperial Innocence. Dr. Botakoz Kassymbekova is a professor of Eastern European History at the University of Zurich. Earlier, she received her BA and MA in Bishkek and Essex, respectively. Dr. Kassymbekova completed her doctorate at Humboldt University Berlin and worked as a postdoc in Berlin, Liverpool and Basel, as well as a guest scholar at Columbia University, New York. Her research focuses are Soviet history, Stalinism/post-Stalinism, and Russian imperial history.Listen in to understand the drivers behind Russian political culture and how Putin can sustain popular support for this war despite the extreme casualties and destruction of Russia's economy and demographics for the next generation.Her article noted in the podcast can be found here: https://www.ponarseurasia.org/time-to-question-russias-imperial-innocence/ To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

What is electronic warfare (EW), and how important is it to protecting Ukraine?How does EW work to detect and jam drones?How has EW evolved during the war, and how will it develop in the future?Serhii Skoryk, Commercial Director, Kvertus, former soldier in the Ukrainian military who now leads Ukraine's top electronic warfare (EW) company. Listen in to understand the vital role EW is playing in this war, saving lives at the front and across all of Ukraine. And if you want some much-needed positivity about Ukraine in this war at this difficult time, definitely listen in and hear Serhii's optimistic expectations for the war. And he knows - he's at the front all the time and has extensive military experience. About the GuestSerhii Skoryk, Commercial Director, Kvertus, former soldier in the Ukrainian military who now leads Ukraine's top electronic warfare (EW) company.  To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

*Note that this was recorded the evening of Tuesday November 25 (Kyiv time), for publication the evening of Thursday November 27 (Kyiv time)Will we have a ceasefire/peace deal soon?How did they create this 28 point plan, and why now all of a sudden?Is the revised 19 point plan better?What is Russia's view of things?And if we get no deal soon, then what?I did my best in an almost stream of consciousness way to answer the above questions. Alot of unknowables, and alot to be frustrated about but also alot to be encouraged about.  To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

*Apologies for the minor disruptions in the podcast as we were cut off by power outages in Kyiv. In light of the annual commemoration of the Holodomor on November 22, 2025 (always the 4th Saturday of November), I spoke with Dr. Iryna Skubii, the Senior Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne. Her work focuses on the social history of the 1932–1933 famine, the Holodomor.Listen in to hear:Why should we consider the Holodomor a genocide?What was it like to live through the Holodomor? How did people survive?How did the world find out about the Holodomor from inside Stalin's oppressive Soviet Union?Dr. Iryna Skubii, is the inaugural Mykola Zerov Fellow in Ukrainian Studies and the Senior Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne. She is also a researcher with the Ukrainian Global History Initiative, where her work focuses on the social history of the 1932–1933 famine, the Holodomor. She is a historian of Ukraine and the Soviet Union, specialiazing in environmental history, material culture, and history of famine.She obtained her PhD in History from Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario (Canada) and a Candidate of Science Degree in History from V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University (Ukraine). She has taught and held research positions in Ukraine, Germany, Poland, Austria, and Canada. Recognized by the American Association for Ukrainian Studies for the best article in Ukrainian studies, she is working on two books on the famines in the Soviet Union.You can find her website here: https://irynaskubii.com/Dr. Skubii's Publications:https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/00220094231186089https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/oa-edit/10.4324/9781003205364-13/shrink-eating-carrion-rebecca-manley-iryna-skubiiAnd useful and scholarly-verified online resources on the history of the Holodomor: https://holodomor.ca/I find it ironic in the US we have Thanksgiving in the same week, on the 4th Thursday of November, though in the US case marking a holiday of abundance and freedom. In Ukraine’s case, they commemorate the millions of victims of starvation and repression at the hands of Russia, in hopes of finally gaining their freedom.Please listen to this podcast to remember that this current genocidal war is not the first time Russia has conducted a genocidal campaign against Ukraine. And Ukrainians know it won’t be the last unless the West wakes up and stops Moscow.It’s a tragedy itself that this tragedy is not well-known in the Western world.Please reshare to keep up awareness of this tragedy and the suffering and strength of the Ukrainian people amid this ongoing war. To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

Is Pokrovsk going to fall, and if so what does it mean for Ukraine?There have been lots of doomsday scenarios arising about the loss of Pokrovsk and how it could lead to a collapse of the front for Ukraine. But is that true?Pavlo Narozhnyi, Founder of Reactive Post, an NGO that provides lethal and humanitarian support to the front since the war began in 2014, with a focus on long-range artillery brigades. Pavlo also provides timely insights and advice to political and military leaders in Kyiv based on his understanding of dynamics at the front. He is often interviewed in Western media, including by the Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, and Bloomberg, as well as by Ukrainian media on a nearly daily basis.To discuss this - and help dispel some myths - we had back on the show my friend and renowned military analyst Pavlo Narozhnyi, who can provide the latest from the front and offer his prediction about what the pending loss of Pokrovsk means in the months ahead.  To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

In this episode, my business partner Andrew Pryma and I felt like we had to break alot of the misconceptions of the economy and business environment in Ukraine and delve into what's really happening on the ground. We speak everyday with the top Western investors in the country so have strong insight into what is actually happening, what they're seeing, how they're feeling, and how they view the future. Please have a listen to understand better what's happening on the ground in Ukraine - which companies are investing, which sectors are thriving, which are struggling, what are the long-term opportunities, and what's holding back businesses from investing. Andrew Pryma, Founder of Ukraine Business News (UBN) and UBN Network, Andrew is a former investment banker with over 20 years of investment management experience, specializing in energy and real estate development. His previous roles were as a financial analyst at Goldman Sachs (NYC) and as a project manager for the largest real estate development firms in the US, including Ryan Homes, Prestige Homes, and Tishman Speyer.As founder of Ukrtrade Capital, he leads a Ukraine-based team currently working on construction and energy projects. Our plans include the construction of two precast concrete plants, production facilities for construction materials, affordable housing development, and commercial initiatives that use internal energy resources.Andrew can be contacted at [email protected] for any investment inquiries. To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

Yes its extremely annoying, but we'll be ok. Trump was supposed to give the Tomahawks, but then Putin calls, and Trump again believes his friend in the Kremlin is interested in peace. And then he pushes harshly on Zelenskyi, again...And now we're waiting another few weeks, again...Yes we should be concerned, but don't worry too much. Listen in to my quick thoughts on what happened and where things are going.  To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

How do we help those suffering near the frontlines in Ukraine?People need to be fed, windows need to be repaired, pets need to be saved, environments have to be protected - how to go about doing all this?Listen in to hear the stories of Greater Good Charities and their critical work in helping the most vulnerable people and animals at the front. This podcast is particularly timely considering the expected brutal winter ahead of us - Greater Good Charities has their work cut out for them and they know it. That's why they are already preparing, working hand in hand with larger organizations to feed and clothe the victims of this war. Listen in to understand what they do and how they help those struggling under such tough circumstances.Greater Good Charities is an independent 501(c)(3) charitable organization devoted to improving the health and well-being of people, pets, and the planet. In addition to creating and operating a suite of Signature Programs, Greater Good Charities has invested over $575 million in cash grants, in-kind supplies, and programmatic support globally. They have been doing critical work aiding frontline communities in Ukraine. To donate, please follow the link here: https://greatergood.org/crisis-in-ukraine-send-aid-now To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

“Ukrainians are producing hardware at speed of software”"We are seeing something remarkable develop in Ukraine: soldier-entrepreneurs""What they're doing in procurement is like Amazon!"Nick Hawtin, Defense Tech Denmark, Nick's work has focused on technology and innovation - and especially on leveraging the interplay between researchers, startups, investors, and corporates in the Nordics for over ten years. He has brought his expertise to Ukraine more recently. He earlier was in the Danish military. Listen in to hear how Ukraine is truly revolutionizing warfare and military technology - and not just the products themselves, but the innovation process as well as government procurement. Truly fascinating times here in Ukraine and the center of innovation in the defense tech sphere is occurring here right before our eyes. No one better to speak to about these developments than my guest this week Nick Hawtin, an expert in dual-use technology, hailing from the great nation of Denmark which is the most supportive nation of Ukraine in the world.  To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

Alot has happened in recent weeks so I figured to give a quick overview of things and my view as to where things are going. In brief, lots of reasons to be optimistic. But prepared for a brutal winter here in Ukraine... To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

Listen to the 2nd part of this episode.Perry Boyle, Co-founder & CEO of MITS Capital, the no.1 private investor in Ukraine's defense. Following a 35-year career in investment banking and asset management, Perry set up MITS Capital to drive capital into Ukraine's domestic defense sector. Perry serves on several boards and advisory boards in the fields of affordable housing, renewable energy, education, and innovation. Denys Gurak, Co-founder & CEO of MITS Capital. In 2014 Denys joined the Ukrainian Defense Industry (a state defense conglomerate) as the Deputy Director-General for foreign economic activity. Denys represented Ukraine as the Head of Ukraine’s delegation to the NATO Industrial Advisory Group (NIAG). He is a CEO and Co-Founder at A.D.A.M., a 3d bioprinting company with a primary focus on 3D-printed bones. Besides business matters, Denys is a key member in a number of think tanks and NGOs.MITS Capital is an investment bank that invests in Ukraine's defense industry. MITS Capital owns the only full-service defense technology accelerator in Ukraine and directly invests in advanced drone technology companies. MITS Lab creates new companies with military technology in Ukraine. To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

For the next generation minimum, we will be looking back at these months and years to see how the new world of defense and security developed. And it's all happening in Ukraine - the center of Western defense.Meet the men at the forefront of this generational development in this podcast. Hear how they got inspired to develop Ukraine's no. 1 private defense investment fund, projects they are working on, their thoughts on current developments with drones and interceptor drones, and where the air war is heading in the near future. Perry Boyle, Co-founder & CEO of MITS Capital, the no.1 private investor in Ukraine's defense. Following a 35-year career in investment banking and asset management, Perry set up MITS Capital to drive capital into Ukraine's domestic defense sector. Perry serves on several boards and advisory boards in the fields of affordable housing, renewable energy, education, and innovation. Denys Gurak, Co-founder & CEO of MITS Capital. In 2014 Denys joined the Ukrainian Defense Industry (a state defense conglomerate) as the Deputy Director-General for foreign economic activity. Denys represented Ukraine as the Head of Ukraine’s delegation to the NATO Industrial Advisory Group (NIAG). He is a CEO and Co-Founder at A.D.A.M., a 3d bioprinting company with a primary focus on 3D-printed bones. Besides business matters, Denys is a key member in a number of think tanks and NGOs.MITS Capital is an investment bank that invests in Ukraine's defense industry. MITS Capital owns the only full-service defense technology accelerator in Ukraine and directly invests in advanced drone technology companies. MITS Lab creates new companies with military technology in Ukraine. To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

An absolute pleasure to do this podcast with my good friend and like-minded individual with a passion for Ukraine, the Greek ambassador to Ukraine, Alexandros (Alex) Dimitrakopoulos. Pantelis Alexandros Dimitrakopoulos is the Greek Ambassador to Ukraine. He was appointed to the position and presented his credentials in September 2024. Prior to his appointment in Ukraine, he served in various diplomatic roles, including positions at the Greek embassy in London, the Greek consulate in Istanbul, and with the Greek Chairmanship of the OSCE in Vienna. He also worked at NATO headquarters in Brussels and the NATO Secretary General's office. Alex made a very laudable decision to volunteer to come work in war-time Ukraine, understanding the significance of Ukraine and this war to Western civilization at this critical moment. And who better to talk to then a state representative of the very nation where Western civilization began.Beyond that, we had an insightful discussion on the unique nature of diplomacy in Ukraine amid the war, these turbulent historic times amid the Trump presidency, a resurgent China, and the need to consolidate and strengthen European partnerships. Likewise, listen in to understand Greece's several thousand year history with Ukraine and the pivotal role Greeks in Ukraine have played in Greek history.And hear why Alex believes Ukraine is "the land of opportunity"! To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

Why did Putin invade Ukraine?Typically the answer to this question relates to geopolitical or historical reasons. However, in this episode, we delve into Putin's psychology and fundamental personal motivations to understand his preoccupation with Ukraine and willingness to unleash horrific levels of violence, sending hundreds of thousands to their deaths (and counting).To do this, I had the immense pleasure of speaking with Professor Sheldon Solomon, an existential psychologist and philosopher known for his work related to humans' management of the awareness of their mortality. Professor Sheldon Solomon is an American social psychologist. He is a professor of psychology and existential philosophy at Skidmore College in New York. His studies of the effects of the uniquely human awareness of death on behavior were featured in the award winning documentary film Flight from Death: The Quest for Immortality. He is co-author of The Worm at the Core: On the Role of Death in Life. Please do listen in to hear one of the most fascinating discussions I've had in doing this podcast.   To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

A very eventful past few days - historic summits in Alaska and DC - and felt the need to give my brief analysis of what it means and where things stand. In short, not bad and could have been alot worse. Not to mention a shocking promise by Trump. Now let's see how Russia responds (can't imagine well!) To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

Listen in to an informal chat on all things Ukraine - from the upcoming Trump-Putin summit in Alaska to China to Russian imperialism to the importance of Ukraine to US national security to helping frontline communities devastated by the war - with Yuri Boyechko, a Ukrainian native running an NGO since 2016.Yuri Boyechko, Founder & CEO at Hope For Ukraine, a leading nonprofit organization focused on delivering humanitarian aid to communities impacted by the war in Ukraine. Since 2016, and especially in response to the full-scale invasion in 2022, Yuri has led efforts to provide life-saving support—including food, medical supplies, shelter, clean water, and power solutions—to some of the hardest-hit regions in the country.Please consider donating to Hope for Ukraine here: https://hfu.org/ To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

Can Trump get China to stop supporting Russia?How will the trade war with the US develop? Will China lead an axis of authoritarian regimes against the West?Has Beijing become more supportive of Russia lately?Will China be emboldened or deterred from invading Taiwan from the War in Ukraine?To answer these questions and more I spoke with former colleague Thomas Zhang, long-time China expert and Head of the China department at FrontierView. Thomas Zhang, China expert based in Singapore who leads the China team at FrontierView, a political and economic risk consultancy. Earlier, Thomas was on the China desk at the BBC and Financial Times in London. China's role in today's world and related to the war are central. On top of the War in Ukraine - the most critical moment in the international security order since 1945 - the US has grafted upon this a global trade war, with China at the center of it. Trump has now turned his sights to China, correctly recognizing that without Beijing's solid support for Russia's war machine, Russia would never have been able to sustain this war these past 3.5 years. So what happens now? Tune in to find out the view from a China expert. To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

How will Trump's trade wars impact the War in Ukraine?What does the trade deal between the US and Europe mean for Ukraine?What about US-China trade relations and potential US secondary sanctions?And what happens to the dollar and euro?To answer these questions, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Michael Strain, a globally renowned macroeconomics and trade expert at the American Enterprise Institute. Mike often writes in the Financial Times, New York Times, Washington Post, Bloomberg, and other media. Dr. Michael Strain, Director of Economic Policy Studies and the Arthur F. Burns Scholar in Political Economy at the American Enterprise Institute. His research and writing span a wide range of areas, including labor markets, public finance, social policy, and macroeconomics. He holds a PhD in economics from Cornell University.Dr. Strain writes frequently for the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, the Financial Times, Bloomberg Opinion, and National Review, among other outlets. He is a columnist for Project Syndicate.Dr. Strain has testified before Congress and is a frequent guest on radio and television, regularly interviewed by CNBC, MSNBC, NPR, and others.Listen in to hear Mike's "cautiously optimistic" view of Trump's trade and security policies and how they will help Ukraine. Also be sure to catch his unconventional outlook for the end of the war!Please also see Mike's article earlier this year on why the US should support Ukraine: https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/u-s-support-for-ukraine-advances-americas-interests/  To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

Did you know the head of the Russian Orthodox Church is a former KGB agent and multimillionaire who made his money in smuggling?Or that its priests routinely bless the missiles, drones, and weapons used against innocent Ukrainian civilians everyday?Even other Orthodox Church leaders, not to mention Pope Francis and Pope Leo, have condemned the Russian Orthodox Church's actions. Hear how Russia has used the church as yet another tool of its imperialistic aggression. Rostyslav Pavlenko is a Ukrainian politician, member of Ukrainian parliament, scientist and public figure. In 2015-2019, he was the coordinator of state efforts to assist the Ukrainian Orthodox in unification, recognition and obtaining Tomos (certificate) of Autocephaly (church independence). Successfully led negotiations with the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, Primates and clergy of the Autocephalous Orthodox Churches, and Ukrainian church notables. Upon successful obtaining of the Tomos of Autocephaly, was decorated by the President Petro Poroshenko with the Order of Liberty.Listen in from the man who helped Ukraine achieve its independence from the Russian Orthodox Church and make it its own Orthodox Church as recognized by Constantinople.  To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

It's an unfortunate reality but its true: the primary obstacle in US politics today to supporting Ukraine comes from the Republican Party. It's been strange to see the party of Reagan hesitant to stand up to Russia and support a democratic ally in its quest for freedom. Why is that?And ultimately should the US support Ukraine?To answer these questions, I had on the show Larry Provost, a conservative columnist, Republican, US veteran, Trump supporter AND major supporter of Ukraine. Hear not only all the reasons why the US should support Ukraine, but also why he believes Trump, his administration, and much of the right in the US have been hesitant to support Ukraine to date. Listen in also to hear why Provost is optimistic that the Trump administration will be more supportive going forward.Larry Provost is a conservative columnist and commentator based in Washington, D.C. A 26 year military Veteran who served in Afghanistan and Iraq, he is a graduate of the U.S. Naval War College, George Washington University, Liberty University and Regent University. His work has appeared in Townhall, Newsmax, The Daily Caller, The American Spectator and other Conservative publications.You can find the article mentioned in the podcast that Provost wrote here: https://www.newsbreak.com/newsmax-325020896/4084331020836-why-u-s-helping-ukraine-defeat-russia-makes-fiscal-sense  To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

Not many people know Canada has one of the largest Ukrainian populations abroad. And this fact has helped make Canada one of the most supportive countries of Ukraine in the Western world. To understand the strong level of engagement Canada has here on the ground in Ukraine, I had the pleasure of having a very engaging discussion with Canadian Ambassador to Ukraine Natalka Cmoc, whose positivity and vibrance was thoroughly inspiring. Ambassador Natalka Cmoc, Ambassador of Canada to Ukraine. Amb. Cmoc was appointed Canada’s Ambassador to Ukraine in August 2023. Earlier, she completed field research in Ukraine and Russia, including implementing Canadian technical assistance projects in Ukraine in the 1990s. She served as a counsellor for technical cooperation at the Embassy of Canada to Ukraine from 2011 to 2013, working on democracy and human rights programming. She then joined Global Affairs Canada’s Stabilization and Reconstruction Task Force, where she was responsible for establishing the first security programming in Ukraine following Russia’s 2014 invasion. In 2015, she moved to the Department of National Defence and, in 2020, she became director general in the Science and Parliamentary Infrastructure Branch at Public Services and Procurement Canada.Amb. Cmoc covered loads of topics, from what it's like operating an embassy in Ukraine during the war, to various programs Canada is involved with beyond defense, to women entrepreneurship and women's critical role in the economy at this difficult time.Here is a link to the fashion brand of Ukrainian clothing started by the Ukrainian woman entrepreneur mentioned in the podcast - https://www.instagram.com/svilamiya/They ship abroad to please have a look! To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

In this episode, I had the great honor of interviewing 4-Star US General Philip Breedlove, former Supreme Allied Commander Europe of NATO. General Philip Breedlove, a retired four-star general in the United States Air Force who served as the commander of U.S. European Command, as well as the 17th Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) of NATO Allied Command Operations, from May 2013 until May 4, 2016.Listen in to hear his views on:- Where the War in Ukraine is heading?- What is the impact of the Israel-Iran War on Ukraine?- What will be the US's policy towards Ukraine?- Will Europe step up?- Is NATO dead?...and much more. Spoiler alert - no, Russia isn't winning.I had the pleasure of meeting Gen. Breedlove at the GLOBSEC conference in Prague a week prior to this interview at a side event dedicated to Ukraine's reconstruction. He was kind enough to join the show, being the massive supporter of Ukraine that he is.  To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

There's alot of talk about Western military support to Ukraine, but what about Ukraine's own capabilities?To discuss that, I had on the show Arsen Zhumadilov, the head of the Defense Procurement Agency. Arsen discussed some critical developments in Ukraine's ability to defend itself - with a particular focus on drones - while focusing on how the process works in terms of getting Ukrainian-produced military equipment from the producers to the appropriate brigade at the front. We also talked about the latest procurement innovation in the DOT-Chain Defense, which serves almost as an Amazon marketplace for brigades seeking drones for the fight. Arsen Zhumadilov, In March 2025, he was appointed Director of the Defense Procurement Agency, and on May 2, 2025, he was appointed Chairman of the Commission for the Reorganization of the State Logistics Operator. Public administrator, Crimean Tatar public figure, senior lecturer at the Department of Political Science at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. He has extensive experience in building state institutions and reforming public procurement.In April 2023, he headed the defense procurement reform team within the Office of Change Support at the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. From 2019 to 2023, he served as Director General of the State Enterprise Medical Procurement of Ukraine. From October 2023 to March 2024, he headed the State Enterprise “State Logistics Operator”.Arsen has several higher education degrees. He graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv with a Master of Laws and a Master of Political Science. He holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration and Management from the London School of Economics (UK). He also holds an Executive MBA from Kyiv Mohyla Business School. To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

We've hit an inflection point in the so-called ceasefire talks: What will Trump do? "Walk away" as he has threatened, continue to provide some support to Ukraine, or even "arm Ukraine to the teeth" as he and others in his team have likewise threatened. Now that he has expressed some level of anger towards Putin just in the last few weeks, should we be more optimistic? Tune in to find out.We will know soon enough, but I figured it was time to give an overview of where we are, what I expect to happen, and where the US, Europe, and Ukraine go from here.Covered alot of ground in this week's podcast. Have a listen to understand where I believe these truly historic weeks will proceed. To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

This is Part 2 of my interview with Svit, where we dive into exactly what happened in Bucha and Irpin—and uncover the real story behind the Ghost of Kyiv.If you haven’t already, make sure to listen to Part 1, where we explore the critical battles just north of Kyiv that helped save the city—and the country—during those pivotal early hours and days of the invasion.You can find more information about the live tour here - https://capitaltourskiev.com/ or on IG here - https://www.instagram.com/capital_tours_kiev/ Please also consider contributing to Svit's close friends fighting at the front doing artillery reconnaissance. You can send via PayPal directly here - [email protected]. Their platoon was just awarded a medal from President Zelenskyi!To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/ To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

Hostomel, Moschun, Bucha, Irpin - these suburbs just a few kilometers northwest of Kyiv have become known around the world given what happened there in the first month of the war. From the heroic battles defending Kyiv from the Russian invaders to the unspeakable war crimes the Russians committed, hear it all from a man dedicating his life to informing the world of these victories and atrocities, and in doing so winning this information war against Russian propaganda. I had the pleasure of joining Svit's tour and would highly recommend to anyone in or visiting Kyiv to truly understand what happened at the outset of the war, the atrocities committed, and what Russia is capable of.Please listen to Part 1 of my interview with Svit, where we cover the critical battles just north of Kyiv that saved the city and the country in those pivotal hours and days at the start of the invasion.Tune in next week for Part 2 of the interview where we dive into exactly what happened at Bucha and Irpin, and also discuss who the Ghost of Kyiv really was.You can find more information about the live tour here - https://capitaltourskiev.com/ or on IG here - https://www.instagram.com/capital_tours_kiev/ Please also consider contributing to Svit's close friends fighting at the front doing artillery reconnaissance. You can send via PayPal directly here - [email protected]. Their platoon was just awarded a medal from President Zelenskyi! To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

From Bucha to the Hague - hear the inspiring story of Yana Rudenko, a survivor of the Russian occupation in Bucha in February/March 2022, who then fled Ukraine and settled in The Hague, Netherlands. Understand what it's like to live under Russian occupation, no contact with the outside world, no internet or phone connection, no power, 24-hour martial law and the constant uncertainty over your personal future. Hear her story of resilience and dedication to remember what Ukraine is fighting for. Yana Rudenko resides in The Netherlands where she is a co-founder of the DroneAid Collective, an initiative based that engages displaced Ukrainians and rehabilitating veterans in building drones for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

Drones, Europe stepping up, Trump, ceasefire talks, George Orwell, why Trust is stranger than Fiction, the information war, the importance of the internet...we talked about nearly everything under the sun. My favorite quote - "Pacificism is a privilege" by a Bucha survivor commenting on the peaceniks in the West simply calling for "peace" at any cost in Ukraine. Enjoy the show with one of Ukraine's most ardent and consistent supporters in Europe. Note: This was recorded on Tuesday, April 23 so some events have developed since then, though the remarks made are still relevant.Follow Marijn on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/marijnmarkus/ He does multiple posts on a daily basis filled with timely info, insightful analysis, a historical understanding of the conflict, and cool graphics!At Capgemini NL, Marijn has been leading the AI efforts for over 7 years. Additionally, Marijn is a frequent speaker at events on AI and data science. Most of all, Marijn seeks to improve people's lives using data.Marijn combines technical expertise with a delivery of analysis, visuals and coaching, thanks to his experience and background in social science. As open source and sensor enthusiast, Marijn leverages his affection for open data and internet culture to deliver unique insights and solutions.  To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

What is the outlook for Russia's current offensive?Can the front be stabilized in the coming months?And if US support is stopped, what happens with Starlink and air defense? Will European support be adequate? Ukraine's own drones? In this episode, Pavlo Narozhnyi - a renowned Ukrainian military expert - shared stories from the frontlines in the war, while also describing where the war is today and his vision of how the war develops in the coming months. Filled with detailed intel from the front, plus the broader picture of both Ukraine and Russia's capabilities and vulnerabilities on land, in the sea, and in the air, Pavlo brings greater clarity to the war in his engaging, serious, but light-hearted fashion.Pavlo Narozhnyi, Founder of Reactive Post, an NGO that provides lethal and humanitarian support to the front since the war began in 2014, with a focus on long-range artillery brigades. Pavlo also provides timely insights and advice to political and military leaders in Kyiv based on his understanding of dynamics at the front. He is often interviewed in Western media, including by the Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, and Bloomberg, as well as by Ukrainian media on a nearly daily basis. To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

Will Norway tap its massive Sovereign Wealth Fund and provide Ukraine what's needed to win the war?Norway has enjoyed both higher volumes and prices of gas exports to Europe once Russia stopped sending gas to Europe in 2022. And as a founding NATO member with a border with Russia, Norway not only has the financial capacity to help Ukraine win the war, but also the political and security motivation to do so as well. With an isolationist US in the west and a threatening Russia in the east, look to Norway to help drive Europe's defense in the coming years. To delve into these topics, I spoke with Damien Margou, a lawyer from Norway who is deeply involved in the defense sector in Ukraine. Damien has been a long-time supporter of Ukraine, and recently moved here to support the nation's fight against Russia. With intricate knowledge of Norway's political dynamics as well as Ukraine's defense sector, Damien has a unique vantage point to discuss these important topics.Damien is an experienced attorney with a focus on the Ukrainian and European defence industry with a background from renowned law firms in Scandinavia and Ukraine. Fluent in 7 languages, he has a unique perspective of legal, investment, and political developments in Norway, the rest of the Nordics, and Ukraine.If you want to invest in Ukraine' defense, to not only enjoy solid returns but also be on the right side of history, please write Damien at [email protected].  To learn more, visit:https://ubn.network/ Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/