Fighting the Information War: The Power and Limits of Symbols and Narratives

At this event, we will discuss the role and history of the Azov Regiment (including Russia’s relentless propaganda attempting to discredit the regiment), as well as Vlad’s experience as a defender of Mariupol and his time as a POW. The panelists will also offer a general discussion of the current developments in this unprovoked war of aggression and what we can do together to help speed up Ukraine’s victory.

Guest Panelists:

Vlad Zhayvoronok, Soldier of the Azov Regiment of the National Guard of Ukraine. After being released from captivity Vlad remained an advocate for his regiment. He lost his right leg in the war, so currently he is helping his brothers in arms with fundraising and Public Relations for the regiment. He was invited to Florida for his prosthetic treatment by “Revived Soldier”, and decided to visit California to do a few fundraisers before heading back.

Yurii Kopynets, PhD in Political Science, Professor of Uzhhorod State University in Ukraine. Moved to the US a few months ago to join his family who left at the beginning of the war.

Mike Shatynski, a second generation American and a retired US Navy Rear Admiral. Mike currently serves in retirement as a volunteer as Chairman of the Board for various charities, all veteran-related, including the National Museum of the Surface Navy at the Battleship IOWA, LA Fleet Week, and Warfighter Made.

Moderated by Svitlana Krasynska, author, researcher, manager of the MIT-Ukraine Program, associate at the Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute.

Tickets:
$40 – General Admission Ticket,
$30 – HOU Member Ticket,
$50 – Tickets at the door.

Online ticket sales will be closed at 12 pm on April 15.

Event in English.