What it's like to be the wife of a Ukrainian soldier, held prisoner by Russia? Part 1

What it's like to be the wife of a Ukrainian soldier, held prisoner by Russia? Part 1

Author: Mark McNamee July 18, 2024 Duration: 25:05
What is it like to be the wife of a Ukrainian soldier captured by the Russians and beaten and tortured as a prisoner of war?  This is the story of Natalia Zarytska, the founder of "Women of Steel", an NGO dedicated to saving the soldiers who fought in Mariupol and at Azovstal in 2022. Despite being told her husband was dead multiple times, scared for her own life and the life of her child, and even harassed and threatened by Russians, Natalia never gave up hope on her husband and successfully fought for his release from Russian captivity. But that's not the whole story. Getting married online, attending demonstrations amid Russian air raids, bringing the story of Ukrainian prisoners of war to the world's attention, helping her husband reintegrate back to civilian life - listen to this inspiring story of love, strength, bravery, and hope.  Natalia Zarytska, Founder and Head of NGO "Women of Steel", wife of Ukrainian soldier Bogdan Zarytskyi, who was captured by the Russians. Natalia lives with her husband and son in Kyiv, her hometown, where she has worked in the agricultural sector. 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
Children and the War [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:33
The psychological damage to children has been one of the most underreported stories of this horrific war here in Ukraine. How are children coping, especially those who have lost parents and other family members? In this…
US Elections and Ukraine: what will happen and why we should care [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:06
Who's going to win the US elections, and what will the impact be on Ukraine? Could we be moving towards peace in 2025? And ultimately why do we in the West need to even care about supporting Ukraine? To answer these ques…
An Enemy of the State in Russia, But a Real Patriot in Ukraine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:39
Today I spoke with Roman Sulzhyk, a real Ukrainian patriot who has embraced his life's mission and decided to come back home to Ukraine to help rebuild his country. Roman has been a part of Ukraine's independence movemen…