Radio War Nerd EP 594 — Ukraine: The Forgotten War, feat. Peter Korotaev

In this deep-dive episode of Radio War Nerd, host Mark Ames welcomes back returning guest Peter Korotaev, author of the acclaimed Substack newsletter 'Events in Ukraine,' to discuss the current state of the war in Ukraine, now in its fourth year. The conversation centers on the war's fading attention in Western media and politics, particularly under a Trump administration that has shifted focus toward the Middle East, threatening to cut off weapons aid unless Europe commits to military action in the Strait of Hormuz. Korotaev dissects the growing financial crisis in Ukraine, where the promised 90 billion euro EU credit remains stalled, and warns of a looming fiscal catastrophe by summer. He also examines the controversial role of Ukrainian drone warfare, highlighting the effectiveness of low-cost, 3D-printed interceptor drones like the 'Pissun' and 'Yolka,' while questioning their real-world impact against increasingly sophisticated Russian jet-powered Shahid drones. The episode reveals how Ukraine’s military strategy has become heavily reliant on elite assault units—often described as 'suicide brigades'—that suffer massive casualties and are accused of kidnapping and forcing conscripts into dangerous missions. Korotaev further critiques the Ukrainian government’s use of Palantir technology, which has been instrumental in intelligence and targeting but also potentially involved in forced mobilization and human rights abuses. He concludes with a sobering assessment of the war’s stalemate, where Ukrainian claims of territorial gains in the south are inflated, and Russia continues to make incremental advances in Donbas, aided by superior logistics and drone coordination. Despite the grim reality, Korotaev underscores that the war remains far from over and that Ukraine’s survival depends on continued Western support—now more than ever.