The Story of Ukraine's Foreign Legion - a modern day Homage to Catalonia

The Story of Ukraine's Foreign Legion - a modern day Homage to Catalonia

Author: Mark McNamee June 25, 2026 Duration: 0:00
If you want a fascinating look into the stories of why those in the West gave up their lives and came to Ukraine to fight, then have a listen to this episode. I had the pleasure of speaking with the British journalist Colin Freeman who did extensive interviews, trips, and research into the stories of foreign fighters who joined Ukraine's foreign legion. Who are these guys? Why did they join? What do the American fighters think about Trump's policy towards Ukraine? About the Guest Colin Freeman is a former chief foreign correspondent of The Sunday Telegraph, now a freelance foreign affairs journalist. He writes features, comment and book reviews for The Daily Telegraph, as well as for The Spectator, The Economist, and The National in Abu Dhabi. He contributes regularly to BBC Radio Four. He is the author of The Mad and the Brave: The Untold Story of Ukraine's Foreign Legion You can find his book on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mad-Brave-Untold-Ukraines-Foreign/dp/0008722463 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 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: 50

History in the Making: The War in Ukraine
Podcast Episodes
Is There a Red Line for Trump Voters? (Part 2) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
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 Amer…
Is There a Red Line for Trump Voters? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:00
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 Amer…
Iran: What comes next and how will it impact Ukraine? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:28
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 Wa…
The Real Story of the Front from a War Correspondent [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:28
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 Ukrainian…
Gen. David Petraeus on the War in Ukraine at its 4 year anniversary [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:38
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…
Kremlin propaganda: Ukrainian Nazis - What's the truth behind it? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:28
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?…
Another Kremlin Lie - US biolabs in Ukraine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:33
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. Dmyt…
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…