Talking Substance

What does it take to move from the frontlines of a street protest to the corridors of state power? In this episode of Off the Record, host Natalka Cmoc is joined by Mustafa Nayyem—the man whose single Facebook post in 2013 ignited the Euromaidan revolution. Since those historic days, Mustafa Nayem has served as a Member of Parliament, a leader in police reform, and most recently, the Head of the S...

Kyiv Post special correspondents, Chuck Pfarrer and Jason Smart, provide a critical analysis of the systemic failures in the Russian military that are pushing the invaders toward a total front line collapse in 2026. In recent days, Ukraine successfully reclaimed 300 square kilometers (186 sq miles) near Huliapole after effectively neutralizing two Russian regiments. These tactical gains highlight...

In this episode of Off the Record, host Natalka Cmoc speaks with former Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk about the future of Ukraine, the war with Russia, and what victory truly means. Yatsenyuk reflects on:-12 years of Russian aggression against Ukraine- Why Ukraine must not only stop the war — but win it- NATO, EU accession, and real security guarantees- The role of the United States,...

From battlefield drones to electronic warfare and fiber-optic strike systems, the Russia-Ukraine war has become a living laboratory for modern combat. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, both sides have raced to innovate — developing new weapons and countermeasures in a relentless cycle of adaptation. Ukraine’s asymmetric tactics have forced Russia to strengthen its defenses, only...

In this episode of Off the Record, host Natalka Cmoc speaks with Luc Jacobs, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to Ukraine, about diplomacy during wartime and Belgium’s long-standing ties with Ukraine. Ambassador Jacobs reflects on his decision to return to Kyiv after the full-scale invasion, the resilience of Ukrainians during Russia’s attacks on critical infrastructure, and why staying in Ukra...

Strategic shifts on the front lines have led to a critical depletion of modern armored reserves, forcing a reliance on hardware from the early 1960s that lacks essential electronic sensors and modern metallurgy. This transition reflects a broader failure in traditional maneuver warfare as large tactical elements are increasingly vulnerable to rapid detection and precision strikes. These operationa...

The Russian winter offensive of 2026 has hit a catastrophic wall near Pokrovsk, with confirmed infantry casualty ratios reaching 15:1 against entrenched Ukrainian defenders. This tactical failure is compounded by a massive geopolitical shock: the successful capture of Nicolas Maduro by US special operations forces in Venezuela. The removal of a key Kremlin ally in the Western Hemisphere, combined...

Russia’s war effort depends on oil — and Ukraine has found a way to strike at its financial lifeline. In this analytical explainer, former U.S. Navy SEAL Chuck Pfarrer breaks down Ukraine’s covert maritime campaign targeting Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” — a global network of tankers used to bypass sanctions and fund Moscow’s war. From the Baltic Sea to the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, Ukra...

In this exclusive winter 2025 situation report, former SEAL Team 6 Squadron Leader Chuck Pfarrer exposes the catastrophic reality of the Russian offensive near Pokrovsk where invading forces are suffering horrific losses of 180 soldiers per square kilometer. The analysis reveals shocking evidence that Moscow’s logistics have completely collapsed, forcing frontline units to use camels, donkeys, and...

Today on Off the Record, Ambassador Natalka Cmoc speaks with Robert Müller, Austria’s Ambassador to Ukraine, about shared history, accountability for war crimes, humanitarian support, returning abducted Ukrainian children, disinformation, energy security, and Austria’s role in Ukraine’s future reconstruction. Together, they discuss:• Austria’s deep historical and cultural ties with Ukraine• Why ac...

In this episode of Off the Record, Natalka Cmoc speaks with Chrystia Freeland — Canada’s former Deputy Prime Minister and Special Representative on Ukraine’s Reconstruction — during her five-day mission in Kyiv. Freeland reflects on why the world must rethink its view of Ukraine: not only as a victim of Russia’s aggression, but as a fighter, a winner, and an innovator. She describes Ukraine as a “...

In this exclusive interview, Dr. Jason Smart speaks with Prof. Volodymyr Lugovskyy, Chair of Economics at Indiana University and a scholar published in the American Economic Review. Together they break down the hidden fractures inside Russia’s wartime economy: labor shortages, the accelerating brain drain, failing energy leverage, and the deeper statistical signals pointing toward collapse. Prof....

The situation in Pokrovsk is critical. As Russian forces advance into the city at a staggering cost, the strategic hinge of western Donetsk is becoming a meat grinder. In this Kyiv Post interview, former U.S. Navy SEAL Chuck Pfarrer gives Jason Smart his brutal assessment about this battle: Russia is gaining ground, but at what price? It is a price too high for Russia to bear. The discussion focus...

Are the red lines that are put on Ukraine, to prevent it from "provoking Russia," doing the job they are intended to do? Or do they give Putin an advantage in the war that he, without provocation, started? Chuck Pfarrer, one of America's most renowned and respected military authors and analysts, discusses with Kyiv Post's Jason Jay Smart why the current restrictions put on Kyiv,...

Chuck Pfarrer, one of America's most renowned and respected military authors and analysts, discusses with Kyiv Post's Jason Jay Smart why Russia is showing all of the signs of having fallen into a quagmire with no strategy or hope of being able to get out. Pfarrer, having been a former Squadron Leader of SEAL Team 6, explains why the failure of Russia's attempted attack is indicative o...

Gen. Ben Hodges says that Vladimir Putin "should be looking at the disaster he has on his hands in the Kursk Region of Russia and the total ineptitude of his military. It is so bad, says the experienced General, that he sees no way that a Russian military leader could seriously hope that they will conquer all of Ukraine.  In fact, Russia not being able to expel Ukraine from the Kursk Region o...

Estefania Melendez, who served as the interim (opposition to Maduro) government of Venezuela's Ambassador to Bulgaria, explains to Kyiv Post's Jason Smart why the Maduro-Putin alliance is so important, and what impact a revolution in Caracas could have on Ukraine' fight for freedom. Today, the regime of Nicolas Maduro, who has led Venezuela with an iron fist since taking power followin...

Jake Broe is well known, to those who follow Ukraine's war against Russian aggression, for his dynamic, interesting, and accurate analysis of what is transpiring in Russia's war against Ukraine. Through his battlefield map updates and articulate explanations, the war commentator has developed a strong following that regularly checks in to see what he thinks will happen next.  Broe explains...

In the new episode of Talking Substance, host Alina Hrytsenko discusses the future of Ukraine with Ukrainian lawmaker Oleksiy Honcharenko. Together, they delve into the pivotal outcomes of the recent NATO summit, the potential repercussions of the upcoming US elections, and the strategic approaches necessary for Ukraine to secure victory in the ongoing war. Join us for a profound and insightful co...

In the new episode of Talking Substance host Alina Hrytsenko discusses the following with renowned Argentine journalist and TV-presenter Carolina Amoroso: How is the Russia-Ukraine war viewed in Latin America, and what are the different positions and narratives there? What is the impact of Russian propaganda? How is the battle for influence in Latin America progressing? Argentina's role? Tune...

In this new episode of ”Talking Substance” host Alina Hrytsenko talks to Dr Hanna Shelest, ”Ukrainian Prism” expert, editor-in-Chief of UA: Ukraine Analytica. They discuss how Ukraine is adapting its diplomacy during war. Dr. Shelest provides insights into the challenges and strategies of Ukrainian diplomats as they navigate the complexities of international relations amid ongoing war. Join us for...

In this new episode of Talking Substance host Alina Hrytsenko talks to Lieutenant-Geneal (Ret) Ben Hodges, ex-commanding general United States Army Europe. The discussion is dedicated to assessing the current developments of the frontline, and future scenarios of the war and searches for an answer to the question: what if Russia wins?

In this new episode of Talking Substance host Alina Hrytsenko talks to Michael Bociurkiw, a global affairs analyst, prominent journalist, Atlantic Council senior fellow, who has an extensive experience of working in international organisations. They talk about current political developments in Europe which were mainly caused by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Starting with President Macro...

In this new episode of Talking Substance host Alina Hrytsenko talks to Valeriy Yakovenko, co-founder of DroneUA, an international system integrator of unmanned solutions. It is one of the most innovative enterprises in Ukraine. Their discussion focuses on drones and robotics, and how new technology affects our lives, both as civilians and on the battlefield.

In this new episode of "Talking Substance" host Alina Hrytsenko and Dr Omar Ashour, Professor of Security & Military Studies at the Doha Institute, Director of Strategic Studies at the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies, delves into the intricate dynamics between the Middle East and the Russian-Ukrainian War. This episode sheds light on the multifaceted relationships, geopol...