By definition, “democracy” thrives or dies according to the will of the people, and in Ukraine, it’s the people who have made all the difference. In the second episode of this four-part miniseries, “Defending Democracy: The People of Ukraine,” we look at what Ukrainians have endured to maintain a modern, democratic society in the midst of Russia’s attacks.

First, Adrienne talks to three co-chairs of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine’s Equal Opportunity Caucus who share their memories from the first days of Russia’s full-scale invasion, to the fight they've had keeping the lights on in parliament no matter what. These thoughtful “People’s Deputies” also detail the massive paradigm shift their country is experiencing as more than 50,000 women report for duty on Ukraine’s frontlines.

Plus, Oleksandr Syenkevych’s story sounds like the plot of a Hollywood action movie, but he is, in fact, the real-life, democratically elected mayor of the town nicknamed, “City of Heroes.” Together he and the citizens of Mykolaiv have survived some of the worst bombings of the war while stopping Russian Armed Forces from advancing along the Black Sea. Meantime, across the country, Ukraine’s mayors are being hunted, targeted, disappeared, and murdered by Russian troops. In fact, the invaders have destroyed nearly everything in Mykolaiv except the people’s dedication to democracy and their will to prevail.

Key Links

• Equal Opportunity Caucus: Gender equality in Ukraine. What has changed in 30 years?
• Harder than ever: How power outages affect people with disabilities in Ukraine
• UN High Commissioner for Refugees Data Portal for Ukraine Refugee Situation
• UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Civilian Casualties
• USAID Humanitarian Assistance Ukraine

Follow CEPPS on Twitter and Instagram.

Democracy! The Podcast is hosted by CEPPS and Adrienne Ross with production assistance from Amy Radlinski.

Featured guests in this episode:

• People’s Deputy of Ukraine Maryna Bardina, Servant of the People Party, Equal Opportunity Caucus co-chair; Chair of the parliamentary subcommittee on Ukraine’s compliance with international commitments on human rights and gender equality.
• People’s Deputy of Ukraine Mariia Ionova, European Solidarity Party, Equal Opportunities Caucus co-chair.