396. Katya’s War: From Kharkiv to Bakhmut

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In this episode, we welcome back a remarkable guest: Katya Ratushna. While some may recognise her from the Academy Award-nominated film Porcelain War, Katya is, above all, a seasoned soldier and a veteran of the Battles for Kharkiv, Bakhmut, and Avdiivka.

Speaking from her hometown of Kharkiv, Katya shares her journey from a civilian digging trenches in 2014 to a special operations soldier fighting in the most contested sectors of the full-scale invasion. She offers a raw, unfiltered perspective on:

• The Early Days of Resistance: How she and a group of 22 friends started the war with their own personal weapons and armour, patrolling Kharkiv in a small Ford Fiesta packed with RPGs.

• The challenges of Service: A candid discussion on the "conflict of senses" regarding mobilisation and the social complications facing Ukraine as veterans remain on the front lines without enough replacements to rotate out.

• The "Zoo" of Bakhmut: The chaotic reality of urban combat, where diverse units often struggled with communication and friendly fire, and the heartbreaking silence of friends who have since disappeared.

• The Final Night: A vivid account of the May 2023 withdrawal from Bakhmut—navigating burning anti-tank mines and manoeuvring a Humvee through exhausted troops as the scent of cherry blossoms signalled a somber end to a fierce campaign.

Join us for Part 1 of this powerful interview as Katya dismantles stereotypes and explores why mindset is the most critical survival tool on the modern battlefield.

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Producer: James Hodgson

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