Fog of War

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

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.

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

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.

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.

Since November 28, Georgia has been gripped by protests after the Prime Minister’s controversial decision to suspend EU accession talks. These demonstrations, marked by courage and resilience, have been met with violent crackdowns and systemic attacks on media freedom. In this episode, we speak with Anna Gvarishvili and Katie Tutberidze, journalists at the heart of Georgia’s protests, as they navigate tear gas, riot police, and political repression to bring the truth to light. What are the human costs of these protests? How are journalists risking their lives to document state violence? Why is Georgia’s fight for democracy important for the world, and when are comparisons with Ukraine’s Euromaidan helpful—or misleading? Tune in to Fog of War right now!

What does it take to document the personal side of war? 🎥 This week, we’re joined by Karina Piliuhina, a Ukrainian photographer, producer, and director, who brings us closer to the human stories of the Russian war against Ukraine, in particular those of the Ukrainian defenders.Through her acclaimed project "Units of Victory" for Ukrainer, Karina reveals the inner culture and mythology of Ukrainian military units, capturing the faces and voices of defenders whose stories often go untold.🎧 In this episode:🔹 How Karina connects with soldiers to uncover their stories.🔹 The ethics and challenges of documenting war.🔹 Why preserving these histories matters for future generations, and for Ukrainians themselves.Her work doesn’t just document — it keeps history alive for those who follow.

What does it mean to document war in your homeland? This week, Yaroslava Bukhta and Jonathan Fink welcome acclaimed Ukrainian photographer Serhii Korovayny, whose work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The Economist, and The Guardian. Serhii shares his experience of capturing the complexities of war through his lens, reflecting on the evolution of war photography and journalism during the full-scale invasion. Key discussions include: How Ukrainian journalists became war reporters overnight The impact of Bucha on ethical photography standards Why nuanced, human stories now take center stage in war reporting 🎧 Join us for an intimate look at war through the eyes of a photographer committed to truth and empathy.

How does Russian propaganda infiltrate global media? In this episode, Yaroslava Bukhta and Jonathan Fink are joined by digital platform analysts Anastasiia Romaniuk and Olha Snopok to dissect the machinery of Russian disinformation. From the role of Kremlin-controlled media to the nuances of influencing Western audiences, this conversation unpacks the infrastructure of terror underpinning Russian narratives. Highlights include: The roots of Russian propaganda and its global reach Strategies for countering disinformation in the information war The responsibility of media consumers in detecting manipulation 🎧 Tap play to explore the mechanics of propaganda and the fight for truth in the digital age.

How does emotional proximity shape war reporting? Join hosts Yaroslava Bukhta and Jonathan Fink as they discuss the ethics of journalism in the fog of war with Johanna Kotisova (University of Amsterdam) and Iryna Matviishyn (Ukrainian journalist). Together, they unpack the challenges faced by Ukrainian journalists navigating the war in their homeland, including the bias against their emotional proximity to the conflict. In this episode: The limits of "traditional objectivity" in war reporting Why proximity to war can enrich, not hinder, journalistic insight The evolving standards of global and local war coverage 🎧 Dive in to explore how emotional depth and context redefine journalism in wartime.