Free talk Why War Matters — Sam Cook’s San Francisco talk for defense-tech founders, investors and governments. Watch free
Dmytro Putiata
Recurring analyst

Dmytro Putiata

Veteran sergeant, Unmanned Systems Forces, Armed Forces of Ukraine

6 episodes · X →

A veteran sergeant of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces who served four years, including at Avdiivka, and left the army in 2026. He appears regularly on the podcast as a military analyst speaking from inside the drone war.

Episodes with Dima Putiata

Why Ukraine's military history matters
Episode 1 · June 11, 2026

Why Ukraine's Military History Matters

Sam Cook and Rob Lee on why Ukraine's military past is essential to understanding today's frontline — from tracking the Russian buildup to the lessons reshaping modern warfare.

Military historyIntelligenceRussian buildupStrategy
Watch & read →
Russia's next move: the front line right now
Episode 2 · June 11, 2026

Russia's Next Move: The Front Line Right Now

Rob Lee and Dmytro Putiata break down the 2025 battlefield — Russia's infiltration tactics, drone lines, electronic warfare, and how Ukraine is adapting.

Drone warfareInfiltrationElectronic warfareOSINT
Watch & read →
The kill zone: drone warfare & brigade autonomy
Episode 4 · June 19, 2026

The Kill Zone: Drone Warfare & Brigade Autonomy

Rob Lee and Dmytro Putiata break down the 15km kill zone, drone-driven brigade autonomy, the Dobropillia crisis, middle strike operations, and Ukraine’s path back to maneuver warfare.

Drone warfareKill zoneDeep strikeBrigade autonomy
Watch & read →
Zelensky fires his defense minister: soldiers speak out — Rob Lee, Ryan O'Leary and Dmytro Putiata on the week that shook Kyiv (part 1)
Episode 10 · July 20, 2026

Zelensky Fires His Defense Minister: Soldiers Speak Out — Rob Lee, Ryan O’Leary & Dima Putiata on the Week That Shook Kyiv (Part 1)

Emergency panel filmed in Kyiv two days after the dismissal of defense minister Fedorov: why the streets are protesting, the case for gutting the general staff, the Fedorov–Syrskyi clash over how to fight this war — and the window for a 2026 offensive.

Fedorov dismissalKyiv protestsStrategy debatePanel
Watch & read →
E-points, busification, and the generals nobody can fire: inside the army's systemic crisis (part 2)
Episode 11 · July 21, 2026

E-Points, Busification, and the Generals Nobody Can Fire: Inside the Army’s Systemic Crisis (Part 2)

The Fedorov panel concludes: his farewell list of the army’s systemic problems, debated point by point — E-points and its perverse incentives, the half-built corps reform, busification, the foreigners’ revolving door — and the panel’s verdicts.

Fedorov’s listE-pointsBusificationPanel
Watch & read →
Russia is Learning — Sam Cook with Rob Lee and Dima Putiata, Episode 14
Episode 14 · August 12, 2026

Russia Is Learning Faster Than You Think: The Most Sophisticated Assault of the War

Rob Lee and Dima Putiata on the war right now: have we reached a turning point? The most sophisticated Russian assault yet, 20 FPVs to stop one tank, 80% of armor losses from drones, Starlink as a single point of failure — and Ukraine’s new commander-in-chief.

Turning pointDrones & armorStarlinkDrapatyi
Watch & read →