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The Documentary Podcast
Ukraine after four years of war
The Documentary Podcast
Feb 21, 2026

The 24th of February will be the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Irena Taranyuk is joined by several of her BBC Ukrainian colleagues to talk about people who are continuing to fight and live in the country. Victoria Kalimbet talks about her pride of her home city, Kharkiv, one of the most attacked Ukrainian cities in the war. Nataliia Patrikieieva explains how dating has changed in Ukraine, as so many of the population are fighting on the frontlines. Vitaly Shevchenko, Russia editor at BBC monitoring and presenter of Ukrainecast, tells us about how some Ukrainians attempt to 'decatastrophise' the war, and his investigation into what is happening in his grandmother's house in occupied Zaporizhia region.

This episode of The Documentary comes to you from The Fifth Floor, the show at the heart of global storytelling, with BBC journalists from all around the world.

Presented by Irena Taranyuk

Produced by Laura Thomas and Caroline Ferguson

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These days, Albania is aiming to shake off its past and transform its reputation from a country marked by corruption to one known for luxury tourism. With its miles of unspoilt beaches, snow capped mountains, and olive groves that could rival anything Greece has to offer, it is unsurprising that it is quickly attracting investors. Among them are Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner, who, having bought an island off the coast of Vlorë, have more recently been spotted on the secluded beaches of Zvërnec and Nartë, currently home only to endangered monk seals, sea turtles, and a few sheep. They, like others, hope to benefit from new government incentives to build luxury five-star plus resorts.

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26min 33sec




Ukraine after four years of war

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