J. Thomas

When Russian forces occupied a Ukrainian village, locals hid a Swedish flag to keep it safe. Years later, that small act reflects a much larger story, as Sweden’s and Ukraine’s top envoys show how diplomacy now extends far beyond embassies—into military support, recovery efforts, and the defense of shared values.

Balancing life as rock musicians, active-duty soldiers, and volunteers, the members of Boombox are turning their music legacy into support for the front lines.

What role do civilians play in defending their country in the event of a military attack? As Russia continues its aggression against Ukraine and hybrid war against Europe, Sweden is resurrecting its Cold War-era “Total Defense” strategy. Speaking exclusively with Sweden’s top civil defense officials, we explore how Stockholm is preparing every layer of society using hard-won lessons from Ukraine’s defense.

One workday, stitched together from a winter of blackouts, air raids, cold showers, improvised coffee, and other daily workarounds that keep everyday life moving in wartime Kyiv.

Hungary under PM Viktor Orbán has repeatedly obstructed Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion. From blocking aid and sanctions to resisting Kyiv’s path to the EU and NATO , this timeline tracks those moves.

As Russian aggression drives Sweden into NATO after decades of military non-alignment, its top commanders are turning to Ukraine to understand how modern war is evolving in real time.