The Bunker – News without the nonsense Ukraine war report: The latest from Kyiv with Oz Katerji
Sep 2, 2025
Oz Katerji, a journalist based in Ukraine and co-host of the podcast This Is Not A Drill, dives into the ongoing war in Ukraine. He discusses the grim human toll after over 1,280 days of conflict, the stalled peace talks, and the resilience of Kyiv's residents facing constant challenges. Katerji shares insights on the geopolitical dynamics surrounding the war, including the implications of Trump’s recent summit and ongoing international support for Ukraine, painting a vivid picture of life in a nation under siege.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Surface Normality Masks Wartime Life
- Kyiv looks superficially normal but nightly curfews and air raids make daily life far from normal.
- The country's vast size means experiences differ greatly across regions and frontlines.
Saturation Drone Tactics Escalate Damage
- Russia shifted from constant small drone attacks to intermittent mass drone waves to overwhelm Ukrainian air defenses.
- That saturation tactic causes more devastating single incidents despite fewer total daily drones.
Drones Make Mechanized Breakthroughs Rare
- Modern warfare in Ukraine is dominated by drones and reconnaissance, which make surprise mechanized assaults nearly impossible.
- Flat, open terrain and pervasive drones allow defenders to spot and destroy formations before they close.