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
Can Trump's policy of "Peace Through Strength" work? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:20
Now that we know who the US president is and more about US policy towards Russia, I brought back on the show again my professor from graduate school, John Harper. Last time we spoke late in 2024, we didn't know who would…
Ukraine is Not a Part of Russia; It's a Part of Western Civilization [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:41
Did you know Kyiv is nearly 1,000 years older than Moscow? Did you know Ukrainian is far older than the Russian language? Did you know Russians can’t understand Ukrainian? Did you know Russia even stole its name “Russia”…
A Christmas Special: Stories from a Soldier of the Foreign Legion [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:52
This one is a bit of a Christmas special, recorded right before the holidays and touches on a number of remarkable – perhaps mystical – moments of a soldier at war. Listen to the story of Angel (his call sign, not reveal…