How Zelensky RUINED Ukraine w/Ukrainian Journalist Diana Panchenko

Jun 16, 2025

Diana Panchenko, a renowned Ukrainian journalist and former Journalist of the Year, presents a bleak yet insightful perspective on the ongoing war in Ukraine. She uncovers the extreme hardships faced by ordinary citizens, from financial struggles to forced conscription. The discussion reveals a widespread desire for peace among Ukrainians, challenging the narrative of unwavering support for President Zelensky. Panchenko highlights the corruption and suppression of dissent within the government, painting a troubling picture of life under authoritarianism amidst conflict.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

ANECDOTE

Journalist Forced into Exile

Diana Panchenko was forced to leave Ukraine due to threats because she advocated for peace and good relations with Russia.
She was wrongly labeled an enemy of the people and targeted by Zelensky's criminal cases.

INSIGHT

Conscription Fear and Peace Desire

Ukrainians face harsh conscription with many men fearful to leave home.
Most Ukrainians want peace but are misrepresented as only wanting to continue fighting.

INSIGHT

Zelensky's Enforced Popularity

Zelensky's support mainly comes from those profiting from the war and government-controlled media.
Honest opposition is crushed; political polls do not reflect true public opinion due to fear and repression.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

The speaker paints a bleak picture of life in Ukraine during the ongoing war, claiming that:

Ordinary citizens are suffering: Many are struggling financially, only able to pay for basic communal services. Mothers are trying to smuggle their teenage sons (14–16 years old) out of the country to avoid conscription, fearing for their lives.

Conscription is aggressive: Men over 22 are reportedly afraid to leave their homes due to forced recruitment. There are instances of people being beaten by conscription officers, and women are sometimes seen physically defending their male relatives from being taken.

The public desires peace: The speaker argues that most Ukrainians do not support continued fighting and that the narrative that they want no compromise is false. They are tired of the war and want it to end.

Zelensky’s support is overstated and enforced: Only those benefiting from the war, like state-sponsored journalists and corrupt figures, truly back President Zelensky. Honest political opposition is allegedly crushed, with critics imprisoned and afraid to speak publicly—even for things as simple as social media likes.

Corruption and inequality: Allegedly, $15 billion has been paid in bribes to allow men to flee the country despite the exit ban. Zelensky’s inner circle is accused of enriching themselves during the war.

Suppression of dissent: The speaker describes Ukraine as a dictatorship where polls cannot be trusted, political prisoners are held without due process, and Russian speakers face persecution.

Loss of faith in leadership and the West: Many citizens reportedly feel abandoned by both their own government and Western allies. Promises to hold or protect cities often went unfulfilled.

Religious freedom curtailed: The Russian Orthodox Church has been banned, creating further discontent, as many Ukrainians were adherents.

Zelensky’s peace rhetoric is seen as hollow: Though he talks about peace, the speaker claims his actions contradict his words, blaming everyone else while continuing a war most Ukrainians no longer want.

This account reflects a deeply critical and possibly pro-Russian viewpoint, portraying Ukraine's leadership as corrupt, dictatorial, and out of touch with the public’s desire for peace.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.