From City to Village
How to get from the city to the village, the road trip, and settling in with the first necessities
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About the show
Dare to Ukraine: Village is the second season of our wartime travel series. This time, we’re leaving the cities behind and heading into the heart of rural Ukraine. For one month, our host trades her Kyiv city life for the village, living on a $500 budget (the average local salary) with no prior experience and plenty of surprises.
With her dog Letti and our producer Valeriia along for the ride, she dives into daily chores, new neighbors, and all the chaos, charm, and curveballs of village life. It’s raw, real, and occasionally ridiculous — a side of Ukraine you don’t usually get to see.
Meet the host
Masha spent eight years living in cities across the U.S. and Australia — places full of noise and energy. After Russia’s full-scale invasion, she returned to Ukraine and joined The Kyiv Independent, documenting the war and the resilience of the Ukrainian people. Her desire to reconnect with her roots inspired Dare to Ukraine, a travel series produced by The Kyiv Independent that goes beyond war headlines to explore Ukraine’s vibrant culture, creative communities, stunning nature, and the people who bring it all to life.
This season, guided by curiosity, a $500 budget, and clues from The Kyiv Independent newsroom, she dives headfirst into village life… what could possibly go wrong?
Be part of the journey!
We’re launching the first “Dare to Ukraine” T-shirt — designed with backstage photos taken by our production crew. It captures the adventures, humor, and everyday resilience that shape the series. Every purchase supports “Dare to Ukraine” and The Kyiv Independent’s mission to share stories that go beyond the war headlines.
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