In this episode of Black Diplomats host Terrell Starr talks to Andriy Kononenko, a close personal friend and fighter in Ukraine’s Territorial Defense Force. Andriy is a language professional and co-founder of NovaMova, a language school with outposts in Kyiv and all over Eastern Europe. He is an example of how the Russian invasion has forced average Ukrainians to call on their resources and reserves in ways they never expected.

Terrell and Andriy discuss the hectic first days of the invasion, and how the war has developed for Andriy. With his parents trapped behind enemy lines and his wife and kids in the United States, Andriy’s life is nothing like it was. But as long as Ukrainian sovereignty is under threat he is determined to keep up the fight.

Thank you for listening.