Vladyslav Stadnyk has been raising funds to equip Ukraine’s military for over eight years. He joins the show this week to provide an inside perspective on what it’s really like in Ukraine since the country was invaded by Russia in February. Based in Kyiv, Vlad strikes a defiant and positive tone that captures the determination of Ukrainians to defend not just their country, but their way of life. As Vlad puts it, this isn’t just a war between Russia and Ukraine – it’s a war between Russia and the entire western world. Ukraine is just the country on the front lines.
Vlad’s nonprofit, Steel Wings, takes the donations it receives and uses the money to fulfill requests for everything from binoculars to helmets, and as you can guess, need has gone through the roof over the past 4+ months. In this episode, you’ll get the story behind the mission and learn what it’s like on the ground in Kyiv and across the country right now, and how you can help donate to the cause.
Tim and Eben skipped Hot Takes and News of the Day this week in order to give Vlad the platform to spread his good word.
This episode wraps up Season 2 of No Blackout Dates! Thank you for listening, and we’ll see you this fall for Season 3.
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