Kyiv Post Talks

What does it take to move from the frontlines of a street protest to the corridors of state power? In this episode of Off the Record, host Natalka Cmoc is joined by Mustafa Nayyem—the man whose single Facebook post in 2013 ignited the Euromaidan revolution.Since those historic days, Mustafa Nayem has served as a Member of Parliament, a leader in police reform, and most recently, the Head of the State Agency for Restoration and Development of Infrastructure. In this candid interview, we discuss:The Maidan Legacy: Looking back at the moment that changed Ukraine forever.The Infrastructure Battle: The logistical nightmare of rebuilding bridges, roads, and energy grids while they are still under fire.Ownership of the State: Why Ukrainians have shifted from being "colonized" to becoming the true owners of their future.Innovation out of Necessity: How drones and asymmetric technology are filling the gaps left by a lack of conventional ammunition.The Next Generation: A generation of 20-year-olds who have known only war, and the values they carry into the future.This is a deep analytical dive into the survival, grit, and long-term independence of the Ukrainian state.

Kyiv Post special correspondents, Chuck Pfarrer and Jason Smart, provide a critical analysis of the systemic failures in the Russian military that are pushing the invaders toward a total front line collapse in 2026. In recent days, Ukraine successfully reclaimed 300 square kilometers (186 sq miles) near Huliapole after effectively neutralizing two Russian regiments. These tactical gains highlight a broader crisis of attrition at Pokrovsk. Pfarrer, a former Navy SEAL Squadron Leader, reveals that Russian casualties in that vicinity have surpassed 250,000, representing nearly 20% of all Russian forces lost since the invasion began. This signals a terminal decline in the Kremlin’s operational capacity.The breakdown of these front lines is directly linked to the systemic rot and the total absence of a professional non-commissioned officer corps within the Russian ranks. Without this vital leadership layer, the army’s combat effectiveness has become nearly nonexistent as internal corruption and physical abuse of recruits outweigh tactical objectives. This lack of unit cohesion has driven morale to a historic low and leaves soldiers abandoned in hopeless frontal assaults without any operational support. As leadership fails on the field, the Russian state’s ability to even supply its troops is disintegrating under the weight of a national logistical crisis.Russia’s logistical failures are now accelerating its defeat as the national railway system staggers under a $52 billion debt. With over 20,000 transport vehicles destroyed, the Kremlin has been forced into the desperate measure of using donkeys to move landmines and heavy munitions to the front. Pfarrer tells Jason Jay Smart how such profound military disasters in Russia have historically served as the direct precursor to radical political transformation. This report explains why the current combination of logistical ruin and structural collapse suggests a mortal wound for the ongoing invasion.

In this episode of Off the Record, host Natalka Cmoc speaks with former Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk about the future of Ukraine, the war with Russia, and what victory truly means.Yatsenyuk reflects on:-12 years of Russian aggression against Ukraine- Why Ukraine must not only stop the war — but win it- NATO, EU accession, and real security guarantees- The role of the United States, Canada, and Europe- Sanctions, diplomacy, and the limits of negotiations with Russia- How reforms prepared Ukraine to survive full-scale invasion- Why Ukraine’s struggle is also about global securityFrom personal stories to hard geopolitical realities, this conversation explores how Ukraine’s resilience, innovation, and determination are reshaping modern warfare and international politics.“We don’t have Plan B. We have to fight — and we have to win.”

From battlefield drones to electronic warfare and fiber-optic strike systems, the Russia-Ukraine war has become a living laboratory for modern combat.Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, both sides have raced to innovate — developing new weapons and countermeasures in a relentless cycle of adaptation. Ukraine’s asymmetric tactics have forced Russia to strengthen its defenses, only for Kyiv to find new ways to penetrate them.In this episode of Kyiv Post’s Point of Impact, former SEAL Team Six Squadron Leader Chuck Pfarrer explores how drones, electronic warfare, air defense systems, and unconventional operations have reshaped the battlefield — and what this evolving cat-and-mouse game means for the future of warfare.From FPV drones and fiber-optic technology to anti-aircraft systems and Black Sea naval strikes, this deep dive shows how innovation, resilience, and rapid adaptation are redefining modern conflict.

In this episode of Off the Record, host Natalka Cmoc speaks with Luc Jacobs, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to Ukraine, about diplomacy during wartime and Belgium’s long-standing ties with Ukraine.Ambassador Jacobs reflects on his decision to return to Kyiv after the full-scale invasion, the resilience of Ukrainians during Russia’s attacks on critical infrastructure, and why staying in Ukraine now is a powerful symbol of solidarity.The conversation also explores unexpected cultural diplomacy — from Tintin and the Smurfs speaking Ukrainian to the deep historical roots of Belgian investment in Ukraine’s industry more than a century ago.They discuss frozen Russian assets, the importance of accountability for war crimes, and why a just peace — not simply a “deal” — is essential for Europe’s future security.This is a rare behind-the-scenes look at how diplomats think about war, culture, justice, and international responsibility.