Recommendations from the Kyiv Independent: Ukrainian YouTube documentaries and video creators (Patreon)

Hello, dear members!

This is Yana Zhuryk, membership growth manager here at the Kyiv Independent. Today, I’m popping into your inbox with a personal recommendation. This is my first time recommending something for our community, so I’m genuinely excited to share it with you and hope you’ll enjoy it.

When the team asked me to recommend something, I wasn’t sure at first what the right choice would be. Then I thought about what I personally turn to in my free time — and it clicked.

I spent most of my teenage years watching YouTube creators. Back then, it felt like the beginning of a new internet era: people talking directly to the camera, sharing their lives and ideas online. In Ukraine, there wasn’t much content like that yet, so I mostly watched American and British bloggers — even though I didn’t really know English at the time. (Which, as you can imagine, is basically how I ended up learning it.)

Today, I'd like to share a few of my favorite Ukrainian YouTube creators and projects. Everything on this list is available with English subtitles or English audio.

1. “Antarctica: The Big Feature” by Anton Ptushkin

Did you know that Ukraine has a research station in Antarctica? We learned about it in school, and I remember thinking, “Where is Ukraine, and where is Antarctica — and why do we need this at all?” This film answers that question beautifully. It combines history and science, and explains why Ukraine’s presence in Antarctica actually matters. Anton is a Ukrainian TV host, YouTuber, and, as of recently, a documentary filmmaker.

2. Ukrainian food series by Misha Katsurin and Anton Ptushkin

For those who have been members for a while — you might recognize this recommendation, but it’s worth highlighting again for anyone who may have missed it. This series explores Ukrainian cuisine through different regions and cities, highlighting local food traditions, small businesses, and the people behind them. Misha Katsurin is an entrepreneur and restaurateur based in Kyiv (another recommendation, if you ever visit: China Hi).

My favorite episode is the one filmed in the Carpathians. For me, it captures so much of what Ukraine is: beautiful landscapes, incredibly welcoming people, amazing food, and a strong desire to build something of your own (look at the part about the small cheese farm).

3. Realna Istoriia (Real History)

History was my favorite subject in school, so the next two recommendations lean a bit toward the nerdy side.

Realna Istoriia is a Ukrainian history YouTube channel. They have a dedicated playlist available in English and Spanish. Many of their videos focus on Kyivian Rus, but they also have an excellent historical investigation of Donbas.

4. The Documentalist

If you’re interested in the Soviet period of Ukrainian history, this channel is worth your time. Their videos explore topics such as the culture of snitching, the banning of the Ukrainian language, and how the world kept silent about the Holodomor.

I hope you’ll find something in this list that resonates with you.

One small warning: I don’t recommend watching the Ukrainian food series while hungry — speaking from experience.

Thank you for reading, and thank you for being part of our community.