Ukraine Without Hype

Ukrainian-Polish relations are in crisis following a high-level falling out over the question of historical memory of World War II and the extreme ethnic violence of the time. This began as a question of President Zelensky being stripped of Polish honors. But, it has uncovered a slate of grievances, frustrations, and power dynamics that will have to be addressed. Twitter Anthony: @Bartaway Ukraine...

In this episode: Russia attacks Kyiv's most important cathedral Attacks on Moscow and occupied Crimea drive fuel shortages Belarus backs down Scandal from the "Skelya" assault regiment Military reforms meet mixed reactions US House passes an aid bill After striking a deal with Hungary, Ukraine opens the first cluster of reforms to join the EU Links Holy site carnage: images from Kyiv...

In this episode: Russian attack damages or destroys multiple Kyiv cultural institutions Russia claims it will "retaliate" for a strike on a Luhansk college. They claim foreigners must leave Kyiv for safety. The claim falls flat but shows a turn in Russian rhetoric. Ukraine demonstrates new advantages in the drone war Contrasting Kyiv protests Controversial move in historical memory Updat...

In this episode: A critical investigation into a Ukrainian partisan movement Catching up with post-election Hungary Ukraine's outreach to the Arab world during the Iran war Scandal over Israel importing grain from occupied territories Moldova takes big steps to break free from Russian influence Armenia holds summit with European leaders Electoral news from Latvia, Bulgaria, and Romania Links I...

In this episode: The 40th Anniversary of the Chornobyl Disaster A mass shooting in Kyiv The occupied town of Oleshky is being starved by Russia The death of Kyiv Patriarch Filaret and the story of his life and contributions, as well as the death of Georgian Patriarch Ilia Poland arrests a Russian archaeologist wanted for work in occupied Crimea, then exchanges him for an activist in Belarus Twitte...

The 16-year rule of Viktor Orban of Hungary has come to an end with the election of Peter Magyar. We look into how the election unfolded, but then focus on the effects that this will have on the right-wing landscape he built. What can we learn from how it was built and how it was beaten? Kyiv Independent Documentary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0nx6JkWR1g Twitter Anthony: @Bartaway Ukraine Wit...

The 2026 Winter Olympics were marred by a series of scandals involving Ukraine, which brought to the fore the idea of an absolute separation of sport and politics. That separation never existed. We look at the modern history of sport and the USSR and Russia's place in it, including the crimes and organisational captures. Twitter Anthony: @Bartaway Ukraine Without Hype: @HypeUkraine Other Social Me...

Our Patreon subscribers asked us questions about Ukraine, and we answered them. We talk about interesting historical what-ifs, language issues, the role of the "Manosphere, and more in this broad-ranging episode made with your input. Twitter Anthony: @Bartaway Ukraine Without Hype: @HypeUkraine Other Social Media http://youtube.com/@UkraineWithoutHype http://tiktok.com/@ukrainewithouthype htt...

In this episode: 00:06:28 - Russia losing access to Starlink contributes to a Ukrainian offensive in the Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk regions. 00:25:40 - The aftershocks of the autumn's corruption scandal lead to a shakeup in the Ukrainian government 00:56:18 - Multiple Russian sanction evasion schemes were uncovered by investigative journalists 01:15:25 - Kazakhstan hands a Ukrainian from...

2025 was a year of cyclical news stories in Ukraine, often built on the fluctuating whims of one man in Washington, DC. In this episode, we look at the main lessons we can take away from 2025 and the chaos we live in. We will review key battles, changes in how the war is being fought, the "return of politics" in Kyiv, the shifting state of Russia, and a Europe facing questions of realign...

As the Russian army destroys Huliaipole in the Zaporizhzhia Oblast, I wanted to tell the story of one of the most fascinating towns in Ukraine as this chapter of it comes to a close. It is most famous as the home of Anarchist revolutionary Nestor Makhno. Its people will work to keep its memory alive from exile. Links https://aftersilence.co/ Twitter Anthony: @Bartaway Ukraine Without Hype: @HypeUk...

The Trump Administration has released its official National Security Strategy, and it is a bombshell. There is increased aggression in the Western Hemisphere, promotion of the far-right in Europe, and economic competition in Asia. 00:07:33 - Preambles and Introductions 00:21:16 - What does America want? 00:31:02 - Principles and values 00:42:44 - The Trump Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine 00:53:31...

The DimWit Pact, pushed by the United States, has evolved over the past weeks but remains a significant threat to Ukraine. At home, Andriy Yermak's resignation raises questions about political reform. 00:01:34 - Battlefield Updates - Ukrainian Counter-offensive in Kupyansk 00:17:13 - The American-packed "peace plan" demands more from Ukraine and less from Russia 00:43:29 - Head of Pr...

Radio Free America breaks down and critiques some of the top headlines from America's most reputable outlets. This week, we look at: ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠ CNN: US marshal and undocumented immigrant – a popular TikTok streamer – injured in shooting during ICE stop in Los Angeles⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠ NYT: ‘A hornet’s nest’: Mamdani’s gifted education plan divides New Yorkers⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠ Washington Post: Trump says he has authoris...

Three major crises beset Ukraine. The approaching end of the Battle of Pokrovsk is prompting greater demands for military reform. A corruption scandal in the energy sector rocks Bankova. The Trump administration smells weakness and presents an ultimatum. 3:02 - As the Battle of Pokrovks reaches its terminus and the Battle of Huliapole comes closer, military commentators make increasing demands for...

We take a deep dive into the baffling attempt at a peace process that Trump made in the middle of October, which was dead by the end of October. What was the context, how did it play out, and what factors in the administration led it to play out the way it did? 01:41 - Trump wants his Nobel Peace Prize 04:40 - Summary of the Trump "peace process" so far 17:18 - How did the October "...

In this episode... 03:47 - Full coverage of the ongoing situation on the Front 18:15 - Russian war crimes, including attacking the UN and killing journalists 27:07 - Russia flying drones around EU cities 30:45 - Hungary flies a drone into Ukraine, Orban repeats the Russian view on Ukrainian sovereignty. 34:28 - Russia attacks Ukrainian power grid, likely to have a winter of outages 37:33 - Odesa g...

Radio Free America is the sister podcast to Ukraine Without Hype. Here is the latest episode, and we invite you to subscribe to its own feed. Radio Free America breaks down and critiques some of the top headlines from America's most reputable outlets. This week, we look at: ⁠‘FBI director Kash Patel clashes with House Democrats over Epstein files’ - Washington Post⁠ ⁠Trump Crime Strategy May W...

In our new mini-series, The Polycrisis, we will delve into the interconnected crises engulfing the world, from the collapse of the "international community" to disinformation to environmental issues. In episode 1, we examine the rise in the number of wars worldwide. Note: I accidentally refer to the Rapid Support Force in Sudan as the Rapid Response Force. Credits All maps are from liveu...

In this episode... 02:08 - Counterattacks tighten around Russians assaulting Dobropilia 07:25 - Russia sends attack drones after Poland 10:52 - Russia's Zapad 2025 exercises do not amount to much, but remind us how their predecessor in 2021 set up the invasion of Ukraine 16:10 - Dmitriy Kozak, the sole pragmatist in Putin's inner circle, resigns 22:33 - Recent diplomatic wins by Ukraine 26...

In this episode... 3:21 - Former Parliament Chairman Andriy Parubiy assassinated 7:48 - Russian missile strike on Kyiv kills relative of UWH co-host 10:21 - Battlefield Update: Pokrovsk stabilizes while Kupiansk is under critical threat 13:29 - Former mayor of Kherson released from Russian captivity 17:32 - The aftermath of the Alaska meeting and other American shenanigans 27:46 - New long-range m...

In this episode... 01:28 - Donald Trump hosts Vladimir Putin in Alaska 15:17 - Azerbaijan and Armenia reach a yet-to-be-adopted peace agreement 34:54 - The Ukrainian government backs down from the law that stripped anti-corruption agencies of autonomy following protests 45:05 - Battlefield updates: Russian breakthrough in Pokrovsk sector defeated 55:55 - The death of anarchist soldier David Chichk...

In this episode... 02:25 - Battlefield Updates - Battle of Pokrovsk entering critical phase 11:12 - Assassination in Ukraine tied to American neo-Nazis 18:42 - New report on the Olenivka massacre 20:56 - Crimean Tatar arrested in France on behalf of Russia 24:50 - The US might be returning to aid for Ukraine, though with a lot of caveats 36:38 - Beginning of recognition of same-sex marriage in Ukr...

Hungary has become both a thorn in the side of Ukraine and a key part of an international conservative project. In this episode, we delve into the history of this arrangement and the political theory behind Orbanism and its enmity with the Open Society. 00:01:05 - Hungarian History 101 00:09:07 - George Soros and the Open Society 00:25:17 - The political rise of Viktor Orban 00:39:28 - What is an...

In this episode... 03:22 - Updates from summer in Kyiv 08:06 - Developments in Russia's summer offensive 16:40 - Latest attacks on Kyiv show increased use of drones 24:05 - Prisoner exchanges show new Russian crimes 28:40 - Reforms to allow multiple citizenships in Ukraine 34:25 - Mixed signals before next NATO summit 37:10 - Operation Spiderweb destroys much of Russia's bomber fleet and r...