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NPR's Book of the Day

Illia Ponomarenko's memoir opens up about covering the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Jun 3, 2024
Journalist Illia Ponomarenko discusses his memoir about covering the Russian invasion of Ukraine, highlighting Ukrainians' determination to fight for their country, life in Bucha, and a touching encounter with his girlfriend's parents.
08:04

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Ukrainians showed determination and surprised experts by effectively countering the initial Russian strike within 24 hours.
  • During the war, ordinary citizens displayed heroism by supporting the military, volunteering, and symbolizing resilience in the face of tragedy.

Deep dives

Unpreparedness for War in Ukraine

Many Ukrainians, including government officials, did not initially take the threat of war seriously due to hope and disbelief in the aggressor's intentions. Despite expert predictions of Ukraine's imminent fall, the Ukrainian military surprised by countering the initial strike effectively within 24 hours, showcasing their determination and ability to defend the country.

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