1-Year Anniversary of the Russian Invasion of Ukraine💛💙
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The Ten News Season 3: Episode 35
💛💙 The 1-Year Anniversary of the Russian Invasion of Ukraine 💭 Ten'er Q+A: a look back at the start of the invasion & what's going on in Ukraine today ✅ Five Fascinating Facts we've learned about Ukraine 🎵 Trivia with Tessa: Ukraine is home to the trembita, but what is this instrument?
Links
Ukraine: The Breadbasket of Europe | Origins (osu.edu)
https://www.nytimes.com/article/ukraine-russia-war-timeline.html
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/rescue-pets-russia-ukraine-war_n_63b6f219e4b0d6f0b9f914d9
https://www.unhcr.org/en-us/ukraine-emergency.html
https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/25/europe/german-tanks-ukraine-intl/index.html
https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/02/politics/us-ukraine-longer-range-missiles-aid-package/index.html
https://www.npr.org/2022/03/11/1086007627/european-union-ukraine-membership-fast-track
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/02/01/ukraine-anti-corruption-measures-zelensky/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-64528580
https://uniacco.com/blog/facts-about-ukraine
https://www.worldvision.org.uk/about/blogs/facts-about-ukraine/
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TRANSCRIPT:
Ryan Willard 0:00
Oh my goodness. Can you believe it's been one year since my birthday?
Pamela Kirkland 0:06
No, your birthday is March 25.
Ryan Willard 0:09
A year since I had a hiccup attack and kept telling me to take the day off because it kept making her laugh.
Pamela Kirkland 0:14
That was a month ago, Ryan. It's been a year since Russia invaded Ukraine.
Ryan Willard 0:20
Good gravy. You're right. We've gotten a bunch of messages from Ten'ers about it.
Pamela Kirkland 0:38
Then I think it's time for an update. I'm Pamela Kirkland.
Ryan Willard 0:42
And I'm Ryan Willard. It's Wednesday, February 15th.
Pamela Kirkland 0:45
This is The Ten News.
Sound Bit 0:50
10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.
Pamela Kirkland 0:58
It's been a whole year since Russia invaded Ukraine, and a lot has happened. And with all of the other things happening in the world, it can be tough to track.
Ryan Willard 1:08
So, we reached out to you, our Ten'ers, to find out what you wanted to know.
Pamela Kirkland 1:14
We're going to do a little q&a to look back at where things started and where things are today. What you got, Ten'ers?
Ten'er 1:23
This is Avery and I'm nine years old. Where is Ukraine?
Ryan Willard 1:27
Great question. Ukraine is a large country on the European continent north of the Black Sea and southwest of Russia. It's known as the breadbasket of Europe because so much grain has grown there.
Ten'er 1:40
Hi, Ryan and Pamela, this is Carla and I'm alive in 2012. Why did Russia invade?
Pamela Kirkland 1:47
In order to understand the why of Russia's invasion, we have to go back to 2014 when Russia annexed meaning they took over a region of Ukraine called Crimea. Ever since then, Russia fought for control of eastern Ukraine, especially regions close to the Russian border like the Donbas region.
Ryan Willard 2:07
In the year since Russia annexed Crimea. The Ukrainian government worked toward joining the European Union and partnering with the allied countries of the North American Treaty Organization also called NATO. The Russian government views NATO as a threat. And since Ukraine is its closest neighbor, they didn't want Ukraine to join NATO.
Ten'er 2:27
Hi, Ryan and Pamela, this is Hannah and I'm 12 years old. What happened when Russia invaded?
Pamela Kirkland 2:33
Let's rewind to last year.
Sound Bit 2:36
In a special televised address on Russian state TV, Mr. Putin said Russia had been left with no choice but to defend itself against what he said were threats from Ukraine.
Pamela Kirkland 2:57
On February 24, 2022, Russia launched what they called a special operation against Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin estimated that their special operation in Ukraine would only last a few days. It turned out he underestimated the strength of the Ukrainian people. Russia sent tanks to Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, which a lot of people used to pronounce Kyiv but which we now know is pronounced Kyiv. In their advance, the Russian Army made critical mistakes and the Ukrainian Armed Forces were able to keep the Russians from taking Kyiv.
Ryan Willard 3:36
After weeks of fighting, Russia withdrew from the capitol and focused on the east and south of Ukraine. For months, Russia fought to gain control of more Ukrainian territory, but the Ukrainian forces surprise the world by holding Russia off.
Pamela Kirkland 3:50
Jumping ahead to October 2022. A key bridge used by Russian forces was destroyed. And in response, Moscow targeted Ukrainian infrastructure, trying to keep Ukraine from being able to fight back. Despite that Ukraine pushed Russia back across the Dnipro River in December. Then Ukrainian forces use drones to target the Russian military in Russia. And in January, they knocked out a building housing Russian troops in Ukraine.
Ten'er 4:21
How are the Ukrainian people doing?
Ryan Willard 4:24
All throughout the war, we've seen amazing bravery from the Ukrainian people like the hundreds of volunteers who saved lost and injured pets. Animal Shelters all across Ukraine have rescued 1000s of cats and dogs even when the people running the shelters were in danger from the Russian military. Volunteers even work to save wild animals at zoos, animal refuges, and Safari parks
Pamela Kirkland 4:48
And Ukrainian women have taken on roles that they previously couldn't join the military and going into combat. Women are also driving transports raising money volunteering and caring for their families. Is anyone helping Ukraine? Absolutely. European countries have welcomed 7.8 million Ukrainian refugees since the start of the war. And a few weeks ago Ukraine's NATO Allies Germany and the US agreed to send tanks to help Ukraine fight the Russians. The US is also sending long-range missiles to Ukrainian forces.
Ryan Willard 5:25
The EU has pledged its support for Ukraine but has also said it won't Fast Track EU membership for Ukraine. That could be because of suspected corruption within Ukrainian politics.
Pamela Kirkland 5:36
Recently, several high-profile Ukrainian leaders have been dismissed or resigned. Wealthy leaders have been accused of corruption and money laundering using their positions and power to get rich.
Ryan Willard 5:48
That kind of corruption is something the EU is firmly against. And despite Ukrainian president Zelensky is worth reforming the country's top leadership, it will be some time before Ukraine can join the EU.
Pamela Kirkland 5:59
Which means it'll be some time before Europe forms a united front against Russia.
Ten'er 6:06
What's gonna happen next?
Ryan Willard 6:08
For now, Ukraine's allies are offering aid and support. President Solinsky has said there's fierce fighting in eastern Ukraine and that Ukraine is expecting fresh attacks from Russia later in February.
Ten'er 6:20
Who's going to win the war in Ukraine?
Pamela Kirkland 6:22
It's very hard to say no one knows for sure. The best we can do is keep you posted on what's unfolding in Ukraine. If you want to know more about how you can help. Take a look at our show notes for some links to organizations helping Ukraine. And when things are happening in the world that you want to know more about. Give us a call at 1-8-7-7-T-E-N-N-E-W-S and let us know.
Ryan Willard 6:51
One year ago, most people knew very little about Ukraine.
Pamela Kirkland 6:54
This past year, we learned a lot about life there, plus some super cool facts about the country.
Ryan Willard 7:01
Here are five fascinating facts we learned about Ukraine. Ukraine has 50 world records in the Guinness Book of World Records, including two for extreme egg decorating. Married people in Ukraine where their wedding rings on their right hand instead of their left. Wow. Ukraine is home to the second busiest McDonald's in the world. Would you like fries with that? Ukraine is the world's largest producer of sunflower seeds. If you took all the sunflower fields in Ukraine, they pretty much cover the entire state of New Jersey. There's a Ukrainian island known as Snake Island because of who lives there, a bunch of snakes. When the last Ice Age ended, and sea levels rose, the now-endangered golden lands had pit vipers were trapped on the island. And those are five fascinating facts we learned about Ukraine.
Tessa Flannery 8:07
Welcome to the trivia room.
Pamela Kirkland 8:10
Trivia Time.
Tessa Flannery 8:12
Heck yes, Pamela! Please hop on up on the trivia throne for today's trivia question. You ready?
Pamela Kirkland 8:18
Let's do it, Tessa.
Sound Bit 8:23
What is going on here?
Tessa Flannery 8:32
Ukraine is home to some beautiful and unique music Ukraine is also home to the trembita, but can you guess what the trembita is? Is it a) the world's biggest drum, b) the world's longest wind instrument, or c) the world's tallest accordion? Ten'ers, did you get it? Pamela? What's your answer? Huh?
Pamela Kirkland 8:58
Trembita? I think it seems like the world's tallest accordion.
Tessa Flannery 9:05
The answer is B! The trembita is the world's longest wind instrument. It's a wooden trumpet that can be as big as eight meters. That's 24 feet. Wow. In mountain villages before telephones. The trim betta was used to announce important events like marriages, births, and deaths. Here's what it sounds like. Ten'ers, do you want to sit on the trivia throne and share your trivia knowledge? Visit thetennews.com/contact to get in touch and we might have you on the show.
Ryan Willard 9:47
Wow, we just dropped a lot of knowledge.
Pamela Kirkland 9:49
Well, when the Ten'ers know what they want to know. We got to keep them informed.
Ryan Willard 9:54
Truth be told, Hey, we should give special Ten News snaps to one of our listeners!
Pamela Kirkland 9:59
But before we do. Here's a quick note for the grown-ups.
Ryan Willard 10:03
Time for Ten News snaps
Pamela Kirkland 10:09
Ten'er, MeJunior2312 wrote this review of The Ten News. At first, I was a little skeptical. But now I love this podcast. I listen to it every morning.
Ryan Willard 10:22
Thanks, MeJunior, and thanks for listening to The Ten News. Ten Things You Need to Know drops every Tuesday on our in-depth reports drop every Wednesday. But if you want some bonus content, you can join the Ten'ers Club on our website or on Apple podcasts, club members get special bonus content and more.
Pamela Kirkland 10:38
The Ten News is a coproduction of Small But Mighty Media and Next Chapter Podcasts.
Ryan Willard 10:43
The Ten News creative team is listening to Ukrainian music and includes Tracey Crooks, Pete Musto, and Tessa Flannery.
Pamela Kirkland 10:49
Our production director is Jeremiah Tittle and our executive producers are Donald Albright and show creator Tracy Leeds Kaplan.
Ryan Willard 10:57
I'm Ryan Willard.
Pamela Kirkland 10:58
And I'm Pamela Kirkland. Thanks for listening to The Ten News. Keep checking in and we'll keep you updated on what's going on around the world.
