J. Thomas

Between the two world wars, the British military began experimenting with radio-controlled aircraft for live gunnery practice, deploying a De Havilland biplane known as the Queen Bee. Its nickname “the drone” stuck, and what began as a disposable target has since evolved into the defining weapon of war in the twenty-first century.

When President John F. Kennedy stood in West Berlin in 1963 and declared “Ich bin ein Berliner,” his words rang out as a Cold War promise of protection. More than 60 years later, Berlin is again defined by sound—not speeches but sirens—as Europe rediscovers a warning system once thought obsolete.

Faced with Russia’s full-scale war, Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (DIU) has emerged as a leading force. From defending Kyiv on day one to pioneering naval-drone raids that have downed Russian warships, helicopters, and even fighter jets, DIU might not spin spider webs—but its owl-and-sword emblem suggests something just as deadly.

This week, Ukrainian Independence Day events abroad will bring supporters together on every continent, from Tokyo to Toronto, and London to New York.

“ President Putin , will you stop killing civilians?” a journalist shouted to the Russian leader posing for a photo-op beside US President Donald Trump during a high-stakes summit in Anchorage, Alaska, on August 15. The question was posed because the evidence is overwhelming: Russia is waging war directly against civilians in Ukraine.

As war continues to disrupt daily life in Ukraine, a handful of international musicians are moving beyond symbolic gestures—bringing not just music, but solidarity, aid, and a sense of normalcy to audiences who need it most. Despite the risks, they are coming to Ukraine to perform in person.