The Voice of Ukraine with Ivan Verstyuk

Ivan talks about similarities and disparities between past wars and Russia's invasion of Ukraine and how the Ukrainian army is more prepared and equipped than before.  

Mission 61-Ivan Verstyuk
The Mycelium Collective
Lay Me Down Podcast

On December 19, Russia launched drone attacks on Kyiv.  Ivan talks how many are leaving Ukraine to find safety in surrounding countries

Mission 61-Ivan Verstyuk
The Mycelium Collective
Lay Me Down Podcast

Ivan tells a  real life story about how people in Kyiv got tired of war. Tired emotionally - mostly, because of electricity shortages. He also explains why the Ukrainian army is stronger than the Russian army.

Mission 61-Ivan Verstyuk
The Mycelium Collective
Lay Me Down Podcast

Ivan interviews his mother, Antonina on her perspective of the war and what she looks forward to when the war ends.  

Mission 61-Ivan Verstyuk
The Mycelium Collective
Lay Me Down Podcast

Ivan tells of life in Kiev on November 25, 2022

Mission 61-Ivan Verstyuk
The Mycelium Collective
Lay Me Down Podcast

War as a personal experience. This is an episode where I talk about how to take the war personally, putting aside the country-level, political side of experiencing the war. Also, I describe life without electricity in Kyiv and how Ukrainian soldiers feel on the frontlines during winter, when it’s getting colder.

Mission 61-Ivan Verstyuk
The Mycelium Collective
Lay Me Down Podcast

Winning the war is a special art which has to do with military technology, politics and all the other important things. Ethics of winning the war is somewhere on the edge, where so many choices are located - like how far you're willing to go in humiliating the enemy. Also, a good quote from Vermont Royster, a famous American journalist from the 1940s, is included. 

Mission 61-Ivan Verstyuk
The Mycelium Collective
Lay Me Down Podcast

This has to do with how much solidarity is needed during the war, where both - army and civilians - would join their efforts for winning, for having victory. Disagreements, of course, arise too when the war takes place, but it's so important to keep solidarity.

Mission 61-Ivan VerstyukThe Mycelium CollectiveLay Me Down Podcast

 I recorded this episode when I was taking a walk in downtown Kyiv, but suddenly heard the air signals which can be heard on this recording. I'm describing how people around are behaving and how much air defense matters during war.

Mission 61-Ivan Verstyuk
The Mycelium Collective
Lay Me Down Podcast

Ivan  reflects on a really horrible morning in Kyiv, when Russian missiles hit civilian targets in the city.  This was a really, really noisy morning - and people usually get scared, when there's so much noise in the skies. It reminds us of the most horrible days of war in February and March. 

Mission 61-Ivan Verstyuk
The Mycelium Collective
Lay Me Down Podcast