David Kirichenko

“Following the 2022 invasion, non-coordination was an impossibility.” When Russia launched its full-scale war against Ukraine, Ukrainian Americans mobilized with speed and passion. Churches held prayers, solidarity rallies erupted across cities, and diaspora leaders lobbied Congress for aid. But behind this surge of unity lies a complicated story. The Ukrainian diaspora in the United States has long been divided—by history, faith, and politics.

When Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, Ukraine was expected to be overwhelmed by Moscow’s far larger army. Instead, Kyiv responded with ingenuity, turning to drones and other improvised technologies to offset its disadvantages. Three and a half years later, these innovations have not only reshaped the battlefield in Ukraine but are forcing Europe to confront how quickly the economics of war are changing.