A conversation with a Bucha survivor - from life under Russian occupation to living in Europe

A conversation with a Bucha survivor - from life under Russian occupation to living in Europe

Author: Mark McNamee May 8, 2025 Duration: 46:01
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/

We are living through events that will define our century, and History in the Making: The War in Ukraine is an attempt to make sense of them as they unfold. Host Mark McNamee brings his deep knowledge of Eastern Europe to the fore, not just to recount headlines, but to untangle the complex historical, cultural, and political threads that led to this moment. This isn't a dry recitation of facts; it's a grounded exploration of how a conflict reshapes a nation's identity and the global order. Each episode moves between the sweeping strategic picture and the intimate, human stories of those living through the war, highlighting a profound resilience. You'll hear analysis that connects past empires to present-day battles, and conversations that reveal the personal cost and extraordinary fortitude within Ukraine. The goal of this podcast is to provide context and clarity, offering a nuanced perspective that goes beyond the news cycle. By focusing on the people, the history, and the on-the-ground reality, Mark creates a vital record of a world changing in real time. Tune in for a thoughtful, comprehensive guide to understanding not just what is happening, but why it matters for all of us.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 79

History in the Making: The War in Ukraine
Podcast Episodes
Trump's been in office for a year. Are we any closer to peace? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:21
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 H…
What has happened to the US? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:04
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 i…
Venezuela - what happens next and how will it impact Ukraine? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:35
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 long…
Fighting the Information War - a Ukrainian in the USA [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:36
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 th…
The critical role of electronic warfare (EW) in saving lives [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:03
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, Commerci…