"What this war taught us as a society, as people, is that yes, it doesn't take you a lot to help somebody, to step in, to extend your hand to people whom you do not know. It made us more open to helping strangers, to helping each other."
The Ukrainian Spaces audio show has been one of the most important things I have done, and a jewel in the Volya Hub constellation. Three years, 70+ episodes amplifying unfiltered voices of Ukrainian anti-colonial resistance and decolonising Ukrainian conversations. It took me and a Ukrainian campaigner, Val Voshchevska-Khan, almost a year to ship this season, but we could not be prouder of what we can share with the world.
For our fifth season, Ukrainian Spaces returns to its beginnings, revisiting six Ukrainians from the 2022 inaugural season to see how war, time, and responsibility have reshaped their lives. Across six episodes—fear, belonging, creation, resilience, love, and acceptance—our guests reflect on the past and write letters to their former selves. This season affirms that Ukraine’s story is best told by Ukrainians themselves.
In this Love episode of the new Ukrainian Spaces season, we reconnect with a Ukrainian journalist, media strategist and head of the Ukraїner platform, Julia Tymoshenko. She explains to Val and Maksym why she chose to stay in Ukraine in 2022, why she chose journalism as her new career, and how she has taken on even more responsibility in uncertain times.
Julia opens up about the lasting scars of the russian occupation of her home village, and why any future peace in Ukraine and Europe won’t be possible without justice served for stealing, violating and destroying Ukrainian homes.
Julia closes the episode with a letter to her 2022 self, written from a place shaped by loss, endurance, and love.
Ukrainian Spaces is more than a podcast; it’s a movement. It’s about reclaiming the Ukrainian story, breaking free from outdated Ukrainian stereotypes, and understanding the complex roots of Ukraine’s present and future. Together, we can unravel the threads of Ukrainian history and witness the unwavering spirit of a nation fighting for its right to exist.
SUPPORT: Ukrainian Spaces is a 100% independent, volunteer, and listener-supported initiative. Please ensure we can amplify more Ukrainian voices and decolonise more Ukraine conversations - become our Patreon sponsor or bring a friend if you already are (a free trial is available.)
This season, Ukrainian Spaces returns in partnership with Ukrainska Pravda – one of Ukraine’s most trusted voices for truth and freedom. Stand with independent Ukrainian journalism. You can also make a donation through their website or join their Patreon community. Every contribution keeps the story alive.
LEARN MORE FROM JULIA:
First, check out the Ukraïner, the newsroom Julia leads: one of the most important sources of educational content on Ukraine.
Las year Julia won her first award for best interview in Ukraine. Most of them are in Ukrainian, but she also did a great season of an interview show for Ukraïner called ‘Ukraine through the eyes of others.’
How to rediscover the history and culture of Ukraine. An interview with Julia for Ukraine World.
How Ukraine has been transformed into the most active volunteer society in the world. Julia’s interview for Silicon Curtain.
Russian Colonialism 101 is the first newsletter to shed light on Russian colonialism and is part of the Volya Hub network.
This is all, folks.
Meanwhile, if you have a follow-up question, an issue for me to investigate, or an interesting lead to share, just stop by our group chat, okay?
m.
