Shows
Where We LiveSen. Blumenthal on his recent trip to Ukraine, plus CT residents send aid to the regionIt’s been four years since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Recent peace talks concluded without bringing the region any closer to peace. This war has displaced millions and killed thousands of civilians. Russian armed forces recently attacked district heating systems leaving thousands of civilians without heat. 2026 has been the coldest winter in Ukraine since the initial invasion. Today, we get an update on this conflict. We hear from U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal about his recent visit toUkraine. Plus, Connecticut residents with ties to Ukraine have organized to send aid overseas. We he...
2026-02-2449 min
social studies conneCTionLarissa Babij and The Story of an American Kind of RefugeeReturning to the podcast, Larissa Babij, was born in the United States to Ukrainia-American parents, and attended school in Manchester, CT where she was taught by co-host Steve Armstong. Living in Kyiv, Ukraine since 2005, Larissa chronicled the first year of Russia's unilateral, full scale invasion of Ukraine through vivid dispatches that she posted on her website, now collected and published as "A Kind of Refugee: The Story of an American Who Refused to Leave Ukraine".
2024-08-1953 min
Krynytsya (The Well), your wellspring for Ukraine and UkrainiansUkrainian American author Larissa Babij reflects on life in Ukraine during the Russian invasionLarissa Babij is a Ukrainian American from Connecticut who has lived in Ukraine for almost 20 years. She is a writer, dancer and translator and now an author of the book, "A Kind of Refugee". The book tells the story of her personal experiences living in Ukraine during the Russian invasion. https://akindofrefugee2022.substack.com/
2024-05-0316 min
New Books in Ukrainian StudiesLarissa Babij, "A Kind of Refugee: The Story of an American Who Refused to Leave Ukraine" (Ibidem Press, 2024)American-born Larissa Babij is at home in Kyiv when Russia launches its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Her grandparents left Ukraine amidst the violence of World War II, and nearly 80 years later, she is fleeing the advancing Russian army. A Kind of Refugee: The Story of an American Who Refused to Leave Ukraine (Ibidem Press, 2024) chronicles the first year of all-out war in Ukraine through vivid dispatches that Babij sent to readers abroad. In cities flooded with refugees and bustling with humanitarian aid efforts, or while supporting an innovative military unit making DIY drones, Babij examines Ukr...
2024-04-0352 min
New Books in Eastern European StudiesLarissa Babij, "A Kind of Refugee: The Story of an American Who Refused to Leave Ukraine" (Ibidem Press, 2024)American-born Larissa Babij is at home in Kyiv when Russia launches its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Her grandparents left Ukraine amidst the violence of World War II, and nearly 80 years later, she is fleeing the advancing Russian army. A Kind of Refugee: The Story of an American Who Refused to Leave Ukraine (Ibidem Press, 2024) chronicles the first year of all-out war in Ukraine through vivid dispatches that Babij sent to readers abroad. In cities flooded with refugees and bustling with humanitarian aid efforts, or while supporting an innovative military unit making DIY drones, Babij examines Ukr...
2024-04-0352 min
Where We LiveConnecticut residents work to aid the war effort in UkraineSince the start of the war in Ukraine, more than 280,000 Ukrainians have resettled in the United States. According to Integrated Refugee Immigrant Services, there is roughly 1500 Ukrainian refugees settled in Connecticut. Elected officials here in Connecticut have shown their support for Ukraine. Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal has traveled several times since the start of the war to meet with President Zelensky. He has recently introduced a Senate resolution to address the threat Russia poses. And some Connecticut residents have even gone to Ukraine to do what they can to aid the war effort. ...
2023-08-1548 minWhere We LiveOne year in, Connecticut's Ukrainian community reflects on the war in UkraineWe just passed the one marker of the war in Ukraine. President Biden’s recent trip abroad signified the United States’ support of Ukraine, but experts are saying that the end of the war is not in sight. Americans are divided on how involved our country should be in the war effort. Would you like to see the United States increase military aid for Ukraine? Today, we talk to members of the Ukrainian diaspora living in Connecticut, as well as a Ukrainian American, currently living in Ukraine to support the war effort. What should Connecticut residen...
2023-02-2749 minWhere We LiveWith no end in sight, Ukrainians continue to fight for their homelandThe war in Ukraine shows little chance of slowing down after the Crimean bridge was destroyed, and Russia launched massive missile strikes in Ukraine. Today, we get an update from Washington Post National Security reporter Missy Ryan from Kyiv. We also hear from an Ukrainian American who has committed to staying and working to aid the war effort in Ukraine. And later we talk to a refugee who arrived in Connecticut after the war. Has your local community welcomed Ukrainians in recent months? We want to hear from you. G...
2022-10-1341 minsocial studies conneCTionLarissa Babij and Her Eye-Opening Outlook on the War in UkraineIn this special episode, Larissa Babij, a former student of Steve Armstrong, tells her unique experience during the war in Ukraine and details her crucial role in aiding Ukrainian citizens in a time of turmoil and bloodshed. As she plans to return to the country soon, she describes some possible outcomes for Ukraine's future and how we can support Ukrainians from our end of the world.Further Ukraine-related reading:An excellent recent article by American journalist George Packer in The Atlantic: Ukrainians Are Defending the Values Americans Claim to Hold: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2022/10...
2022-09-2652 min