Since Russia began its war of aggression against Ukraine in 2014, Ukrainian service members have fought to protect their nation’s sovereignty and freedom. The full-scale Russian invasion in 2022 has wrought still more senseless violence and destruction, yet Ukraine’s courageous defenders have stood steadfast, often making unimaginable sacrifices for their country.

The Ukrainian government and the Armed Forces of Ukraine readily acknowledge that American military, budgetary, and humanitarian aid has been crucial to the country’s war effort. Support from the United States has an outsized impact on air and land defensive efforts and on saving Ukrainian lives, and without it, the Ukrainian Army is forced to operate on low resources.

In the second episode of the series “In Focus: Voices from Ukraine”, the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center spoke with two current and veteran Ukrainian service members about their experiences on the battlefield and in Russian captivity, and how aid from the United States and allies has impacted and will continue to influence the trajectory of Ukraine’s war effort.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: 03/29/24