Anastasiya Paraskevova, commonly known in DGG as Ukrainian Ana, is a political activist and recurring on stream guest who came to prominence in 2022 after recording her experiences[1] living in Ukraine during the Russo-Ukrainian war.[2] The interview that put her on DGG's radar was done by Dylan Burns[3], within which she notably criticized HasanAbi on his coverage of Ukraine, while stating her support of Destiny's coverage. Ana's first major media appearance was self-proclaimed to be on CNN in the beginning of the war[4].
Since mid-2023, Ana has organized and promoted several fundraisers in support of Ukrainian frontline units and humanitarian relief efforts during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
As of June 4, 2026, Ana has helped raise approximately $150,274 USD across 21 donation drives, with several fundraisers even exceeding their stated goals.
On Stream Appearances
10-03-2022 Ukrainian Ana Calls Out US Leftists, Dispels Popular Russian Misinformation
Ukrainian Ana Calls Out US Leftists, Dispels Popular Russian Misinformation
On October 3, 2022 Destiny held a two hour long discussion with Ana about the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Ukrainian public opinion, Russian propaganda, Euromaidan, Crimea, NATO, and life under wartime conditions.[5] Throughout the conversation, Ana draws on much of her life experiences as a Ukrainian volunteer and Russian-speaking Ukrainian from Kharkiv to describe much of the civilian impact of the war. She also discusses how the lives of herself and those around her in Eastern Ukraine had been adversely affected by Russia since well before the beginning of the 2022 invasion. While much of the call is focused on the reality of the harshness of the war, Ana consistently states that Ukrainians continue to maintain hope.
Discussion Highlights
2:39 Ana introduces herself and describes her volunteer work, including providing medical aid and supplies to Ukrainian battalions and working with a volunteer center.
4:26 Ana explains that prior to the war she did not use social media too much, but found the utility in it in helping her fellow Ukrainians.
4:59 Ana discusses where she's currently located, and explains her translation work for various journalists or twitch streamer (like Dylan Burns) visiting Kharkiv.
5:36 Destiny asks Ana about the frontline near Kharkiv. Ana explains that Ukraine's counteroffensive had pushed Russian forces back toward the Russian border and reduced the frequency of artillery strikes on civilians in the area.
9:14 Destiny asks Ana what the "general feeling" of Ukrainians during the war has been and what day-to-day life has been like. Ana responds that while the early days of the invasion were panic-filled with constant shortages, many Ukrainians eventually returned to a sense of normal life while continuing to live under the threat of air raids and Russian attacks.
13:12 Ana describes the sleeping problems she's developed as a result of the invasion, and the fact that she can no longer wear headphones to listen to music for fear of missing an air-raid siren. Destiny asks Ana if things are relatively "back to normal now". Ana explains that people have simply grown numb to the constant threats, and loss of life, and that depression is a prevalent issue. Despite this, Ana explains that people try to retain hope, and help the individuals around them where they can.
16:30 Ana describes how her family and other Ukrainians relocated within Ukraine to safer cities during the invasion.
18:10 Ana explains that after her parents returned to Kharkiv, Russian shelling increased, and one strike landed in her father's yard. The strike had killed him while her mother survived under the rubble inside the house.
20:12 Ana describes how many Ukrainians budget around the minimum they need to survive and donate the rest of their income to support the Ukrainian army.
22:33 Destiny asks whether Ukrainians want the fighting to end. Ana responds that Ukrainians generally do not want the war to end unless Ukraine is restored to its pre-2014 borders.
23:14 Destiny asks Ana if they'd be content with the war ending without being control of Crimea. Ana says that while some may have accepted that outcome earlier in the invasion, the general feeling had shifted toward wanting it back.
26:55 Ana describes the desire from most of the country to join NATO and protect from future aggression.
28:03 Destiny asks Ana about Russia's nuclear threats. Ana says that Ukrainian reactions are mixed, and that some people are afraid while others see the threats as Russian bluffing and utilizing "nuclear blackmail". She goes on to explain that if this were to happen, NATO would likely retaliate with nuclear weapons in turn.
30:41 Destiny asks Ana bout her participation in Euromaidan. Ana says that she participated every day throughout the winter,
37:24 Destiny asks Ana if there's a worry among Russian speaking people in Ukraine about being prejudiced against. Ana explains that she herself is a Russian-speaking Ukrainian, and says that Russian speakers in Ukraine generally identify as Ukrainian rather than Russian.
40:36 Ana discusses the Soviet deportation of Crimean Tatars. She explains that Stalin justified it by accusing them of Nazi collaboration. She then compares this to later Russian propaganda against Ukrainians when they compare Ukrainians to Nazis.
43:19 Destiny asks if there's a relationship between Ukrainian and Russian language. Ana responds that they are very different languages, and rejects the idea that one is a dialect of the other. She goes on to claim this is Russian propaganda, and that the Ukrainian language is much closer to Polish.
46:48 Ana describes Russification in Ukraine, and explains that Ukrainian language and culture were suppressed and shamed while Russian language and identity were promoted.
49:46 Ana describes her education in Kharkiv and explains that her school had a pro-Russian administration and that most subjects were taught in Russian, with Ukrainian language and literature treated separately.
51:45 Ana shares a story about a Ukrainian teacher who became so ashamed of her Ukrainian-speaking background that, after giving birth, she pretended not to recognize her own mother when her mother spoke Ukrainian in front of her Russian-speaking coworkers. Destiny asks if this is a broader Ukrainian experience or strictly an Eastern Ukrainian one. Ana responds this only occurs in Eastern Ukraine.
57:29 Destiny asks Ana how Ukrainians view people from Luhansk and Donetsk, and whether they are seen as traitors. Ana responds that while she initially felt angry toward them in 2014, her feelings changed after helping displaced families from Donbas, and realizing that many people there did not freely choose to be occupied as well as seeing the treatment of pro-Ukrainian residents who were often threatened or jailed.
12-14-2023 Destiny Talks with Ukrainian Ana about the Lex Fridman Interview
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