A European, a historian, a soldier: Prof. Ihor Zhaloba on Russia’s war against Ukraine

Under the title ‘The Russian invasion of Ukraine: Historical Background – European Perspective – Personal Experiences’, the Ukrainian historian Prof. Dr Ihor Zhaloba was a guest of the Commandery Niederösterreich-Wienerwald on 5 October 2026. The evening, moderated by Dr. Alexander Dubowy, brought together three perspectives that are rarely found in such a combination in any other speaker: an academic engagement with the history of Eastern Central Europe, a long-standing commitment to Ukraine’s integration into Europe, and first-hand experience gained during two years of service in the Ukrainian armed forces.