Conversations with My Mind: The Learning Podcast

Defending Democracy: Ukraine’s Fight of the Century with Maria Kuchapski | S2 Ep6

Ance Vanaga / Maria Kuchapski Season 2 Episode 6

On the day this episode is released it has been 91 days since Russia launched a full-scale attack on Ukraine. For three months Ukraine has been fighting with all it has to remain independent and democratic. The ongoing support it is receiving from all over the world, even from the previously neutral countries, says a lot about the importance of how this ends. As a Latvian, I struggle to stay impartial. This war is too close to home and it has shaken up my own values as well.

Along with the physical war there is also an informational war in full swing. Although it is hard to believe the more outlandish propaganda, there’s plenty of subtle, intelligently built misinformation still circulating on this side of the newly laid ‘iron curtain’.

To better understand Ukraine’s story, learn more about its people and break down some of the more prevalent false statements I have invited a Ukrainian political and social activist Maria Kuchapski to join me on this conversation.

Maria shares her own and her family’s story, talks about Ukraine’s history and helps us better understand Ukraine’s relationship with Russia throughout the centuries, including why Russia should be called an imperialist nation. We also explore if there are any Nazis in Ukraine, who are the Azov Battalion members and why Ukraine and its culture is actually closer to other Eastern European countries than it is to Russia.

Content Warning: Throughout this episode we discuss war in Ukraine, genocide and other linked topics. At times you might find the content upsetting. Please do take a break if you need to or skip over certain parts to protect your own mental health.

Find Maria Kuchapski on:
Instagram: @vinokcollective
LinkedIn: Maria Kuchapski
Twitter: @VinokCollective

To learn more about me go to:
Instagram: @conversations.with.my.mind
LinkedIn: Ance Vanaga
Website: https://conversationswithmymind.buzzsprout.com
Lovely music created by: Harlowe King

Slava Ukraini!