Julian Evans
Author. Believer in Ukraine, Europe, democracy, freedom. UNDEFEATABLE: ODESA IN LOVE AND WAR is published 2nd December 2024.
“Macabre, surreal, haunting, beautifully observed and darkly moving” – Rory Stewart
- In all the years I visited my Ukrainian in-laws in Odesa, their fridge was always full of stale bread. After Stalin’s deliberate famine that killed 4,000,000, no one threw bread away. And today Ukrainians are the people best versed in resisting murderers I know #Holodomor
- As well as all the vile Russian wins in the “peace plan”, it’s a sort of Versailles treaty, but punishing the victim not the aggressor. If Europe lets it happen, it’ll leave itself open to future Russian attack. And how will it be the ally of an angry embittered Ukraine?
- Q: can you tell me the difference between Nathan Gill, Reform’s Welsh leader, jailed for 10yrs for taking bribes to make speeches written by Russians, and Donald Trump behaving like a Russian asset and imposing on Ukraine a peace plan written by Russians? There must be one, surely
- News on our latest car: delivered Mon Odesa, Thurs in Kharkiv, Sat resprayed & already working for R–––’s special forces unit at Pokrovsk. With 2 cars hit in the last 3 weeks, we aim for this one to last longer. Ukraine’s holding. 1000 thanks to all of you who loyally donated
- In a pause from talking about Ukraine, I’ve no doubt Angela Rayner is innocent of wrongdoing. Rules about UK trusts are so invincibly opaque that trust experts and lawyers barely understand them either www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
- Reposted by Julian EvansOn Angela Rayner and tax law - a brief post by me Substack - emptycity.substack.com/p/on-angela-... Own blog: davidallengreen.com/2025/09/on-a...
- Today Ukrainians honour their fallen soldiers. Look at this young guy who gave everything as a defender of his family, his land, his freedom. Your freedom. So that truth and freedom will one day be a thing that not just bombs will discuss (📷 Kyiv, Independence Square, March 2025)
- If you’re near Queen’s Park on Saturday, I’m going to have a very enjoyable hour talking to the brilliant @lukeharding1968 about Odesa, Ukraine, and the vital importance of never giving in to Russia. 30th August, 2.30pm. It’ll be lively queensparkbookfestival.co.uk/collections/...
- Reposted by Julian EvansAbsolute shysters: "...the idea that some company can just, with zero consequences, feed it [creative effort] into a machine is so insane to me that I can’t fully wrap my head around it.” www.vanityfair.com/news/story/m...
- Reposted by Julian EvansUS secretary of state Marco Rubio says the Trump administration will soon abandon its attempt to broker a peace deal in Ukraine. Predictable, lazy and absurd: the US has taken no concrete steps to pressure Moscow, while blaming Kyiv for the war www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
- Reposted by Julian EvansEnjoyed "Undefeatable" by @julianevans.bsky.social. It's a love letter to the Ukrainian city of Odesa and a brilliant portrait of a country under Russian attack www.theguardian.com/books/2024/d...
- After Russia's massacre in Sumy this morning, killing 32, injuring >85, it's unconscionable that we are not providing the strength to defeat it. We owe it to Ukraine, to Europe’s front line, and we owe it with every gram of our belief in humanity and life’s value
- Today was a good day in Trump’s never never land. This pm we delivered our latest car to Khartiia Brigade north of Kharkiv. “We don’t listen to them,” the guys say. “We fight till Russia goes.” And we will go on delivering cars, meds, whatever they need
- The one thing missing from all the “messages to Putin” is our leaders in Europe saying that until he accepts clearly that Ukraine is a sovereign state, there won’t be peace, sanctions/military aid will continue, and Russia will be shackled to a war it will never win
- Trump’s despicable greasing up to Putin means instant escalation, with missiles killing 14 in Dobropillya last night. “Such strikes show Russia’s goals are unchanged,” as Zelenskyy wrote. If anyone thinks otherwise, they’re deluded. Europe must freeze Trump and step up faster NOW
- Even the CIA had the interests of Europe at heart in the past. Contrast its books programme for Poland with the US’s alignment with Russia today. My piece about Charlie English’s fascinating The CIA Book Club – the nut that cracked the nutcracker www.telegraph.co.uk/books/non-fi...
- Reposted by Julian EvansVery early draft of the front page for the next print edition, but you can see where we're heading with this MOB RULE: How the World's Policeman Became a Global Gangster
- Reposted by Julian EvansI do not think people realize how comprehensive the Trump Administration is being in its attempts to help Putin kill Ukrainians. I have it on an excellent source that Ukrainian UAV operations are 15% less effective because of the US intel cut off.
- Reposted by Julian EvansFrench Senator Claude Malhuret: "Washington has become Nero’s court, with an incendiary emperor, submissive courtiers and a jester high on ketamine... We were at war with a dictator, we are now at war with a dictator backed by a traitor."
- This is the most vicious ambush of a visiting head of state I have ever seen. Zelensky has tried to speak the truth and Trump and Vance have treated him like a beggar. Europe must now stand up for him and Ukraine
- An interview I enjoyed. Michael @michaelandersen.bsky.social asked all the right questions open.substack.com/pub/twogrump...
- “Perish the United States, rather than a principle!” – Gustave Flaubert, 1852 My evening after discovering this quote is entirely perfect
- Here is a man just now, twisting on a line and profoundly uncomfortable between having been told what to do by his Russian handler and been told the truth by the French president standing next to him
- Reposted by Julian EvansMy write up of Zelenskyy's press conference today. Ukraine's won't cave into US bullying and sign Trump's outrageous $500bn minerals "deal". And: “Why should I be offended? A dictator would be offended by being called a dictator,” Ze said, after Trump's attack www.theguardian.com/world/2025/f...
- On the 3rd anniversary of Russia’s invasion we decided to buy another big 4WD for the troops. Whatever you read, no Ukrainian I know is giving up so Trump can get his Nobel and lithium, and Putin can squeak his little victory. Leaving for Kharkiv in 2 wks’ time full of tourniquets and heat blankets
- After Trump’s utterances yesterday it’s clear that the country that’s been lost is not Ukraine, but the USA. If Europe can recognise that new map of the battlefield, there is a slim chance that sanity will prevail. But Europe must act to arm Ukraine and rearm itself to defend the freedoms of both
- In fact, Europe is not doing nothing for Ukraine. The EU and UK have given more aid to Ukraine than the USA has: military aid is neck and neck, add in humanitarian and financial aid and it’s more by $20bn. Europe now needs to match that generosity by political and military leadership.
- “Russians enjoy impunity. Europe enjoys their ballet and gas.” Tragically Victoria Amelina’s not alive to see her impossible-to-forget book Looking at Women Looking at War published. But we are, and it’s hugely worth reading. My review here www.telegraph.co.uk/books/non-fi...
- Delighted to be reviewed in @thetls.bsky.social by an Odesan and to emerge not just unscathed but smiling. Thank you for your generosity, Boris Dralyuk
- Hi everyone. New author selfie alert – If you are interested in Odesa, Ukraine, Russia's war and what might happen in that marvellous heroic country, my book UNDEFEATABLE is being launched at Hatchards Bookshop, Piccadilly tomorrow, Thursday 16 Jan. Do come! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/odesa-ukra...
- Wordselfie alert – on 16 Jan at 6.30 I’ll be keeping the conversation about Ukraine going at Hatchards in Piccadilly. If you’re interested in Odesa, Ukraine, love, beauty, war, heroism, what’s going on in that bewitching city and on the frontline, please come www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/odesa-ukra...
- Reposted by Julian EvansLooking forward to reading this too, and I already have a dozen books by Norman Lewis on the shelves...
- In the scheme of things, a new collection of a writer’s old pieces isn’t wildly exciting. But when the writer is Norman Lewis and the 30 pieces are his best, it’s impossible not to feel a thrill at A QUIET EVENING being published this January. An absolute must-have
- 100 per cent thanks to Viv Groskop for her super generous review in the @financialtimes.com. “A memoir brimming with emotion and good hope”, “journalistic rigour is at work here” (phew), “driven by a quiet charm” – the nicest start to the New Year. Z Novim Rokom to everyone!
- Reposted by Julian EvansHappy New Year! Here's a suitably uplifting story of how a group of teenagers and a biologist replanted a forest in #Kharkiv burned down by a Russian glide bomb. They buried 40,000 acorns, some of which will grow into English oak trees. "Where we are standing will be Ukraine," one volunteer told me
- Thank you (again), Thomas. A fascinating selection
- Seit mehr als 20 Jahren berichtet der australische Journalist @julianevans.bsky.social über die Ukraine. Seine Heimat ist dabei die Stadt Odesa geworden. Über diese Stadt, seine Menschen und den großen Krieg schreibt er in seinem Buch „Undefeatable: Odesa in Love and War“. 23/41
- Reposted by Julian EvansYou allow Russia to invade one country, you invite Russia to invade the next country. You allow Russia to shoot down one passenger plane, you invite Russia to shoot down the next passenger plane. You allow Russia to cut one undersea cable, you invite Russia to cut more undersea cables.
- Reposted by Julian EvansLiebe Freunde Osteuropas! Das Jahr neigt sich dem Ende. Zeit, noch auf den Dezember zu blicken, was alles an Neuerscheinungen zu #Osteuropa erschienen ist. Viel Mainstreamiges war nicht dabei. Ist schon zum Teil Special Interest. Aber auf jeden Fall spannende Lektüre dabei. 1/41
- These 2 photos were taken 30 minutes apart this morning, at the same place in Lviv city centre by the mayor. It’s hard to think of a pair of images that better illustrates Ukrainians’ willingness to pay the highest price in pursuit of hope and happiness
- It’s a marvellous book – you’ll read and hear much more in Lindsey’s book about what war brings to people’s imaginations, often awful and unbidden, than you will in almost all factual accounts. Superb
- Reposted by Julian EvansI have just been alerted to your "loveletter" Undefeatable by Lindsey @lindseyhilsum.bsky.social. It is clearly superb. Coincidentally, I have been working flat out over the past couple of weeks in an attempt to preserve The Observer. You save Ukraine, I'll save The Observer - do we have a deal?
- Book signings, fine coffee, ancient towns, generous reviews – I’ve been excessively lucky this week. I wrote Undefeatable partly to keep the message alive that Ukraine’s fighting for not just its freedom but ours. Resistance is about lasting longer than your enemy, and I feel strangely optimistic
- Reposted by Julian EvansA superb review by Luke Harding @lukeharding1968.bsky.social, describing an extraordinary 'love letter' to Odesa by Julian Evans @julianevans.bsky.social. Thank you to Lindsey @lindseyhilsum.bsky.social for bringing Undefeatable to my attention.
- Reposted by Julian EvansMy review of 'Undefeatable', a love letter to #Odesa by @julianevans.bsky.social. "Evans is a wonderful writer and observer, as elegant and gloriously freewheeling as Jonathan Raban. Each paragraph has a lapidary charm". Thanks to Ursula Kenny & Observer books www.theguardian.com/books/2024/d...
- Five-star thanks to @lukeharding1968 for his superbly generous review of UNDEFEATABLE. And for underlining that Ukraine matters to us all and Russia mustn’t win #undefeatable www.theguardian.com/books/2024/d...
- Today’s publication day. It’s nice having a book about Odesa published, but the real point’s to keep the message alive: Ukraine matters, Ukrainians must have freedom, Russia must not win @phillipspobrien.bsky.social @igor-kyivskyi.bsky.social @antongerashchenko.bsky.social @mariadrutska.bsky.social
- Reposted by Julian EvansEveryone seems to have forgotten is Ukraine has been using American ATACMS on Russian territory for 3 years and we've done fuck all. So now it's on bits we didn't annex it suddenly matters. But it doesn't matter on other bits of what we say is Russia.
- I’m immensely grateful to @lukeharding1968.bsky.social for not just writing an exceptionally generous review of my book in today’s Observer, but for getting it from start to finish. Absolutely the biggest compliment of all #Undefeatable #odesa
- After Aleppo falls and Russian forces flee for the coast, let’s stop and reflect for a moment. Things can change in a second for Russia. Everywhere 🇺🇦
- As Odesa resists yet more bombing today, I tip my hat to the generous and clever FrancisDearnley for his review of my book Undefeatable: Odesa in Love and War, out on Monday from the excellent Scotland Street Press www.telegraph.co.uk/books/non-fi...
- The pleasure of finished copies of your book arriving is the pleasure of all the work being finished, of an object being created (I’m biased but I think it looks good) and a story now existing. In this case, a story of a unique city in a vital time. I feel very lucky #undefeatable #odesa
- Reposted by Julian EvansAngela Merkel's inability to accept any blame for the failure of her policy to cozy up to Putin and set Germany on a course of economic reliance on Russian gas, makes the whole value of her memoir suspect. Terribly disappointing. www.msn.com/en-gb/news/w...
- Stalin’s famine killed 4 million Ukrainians in 1932–33. We bow our heads in sorrow. There is a direct thread linking the famine in 1933 and the atrocities committed by Russians in Bucha, Hostomel, Irpin and Mariupol in 2022. The thread is genocide in Europe. We’re not stopping it #holodomor
- Reposted by Julian Evans
- Reposted by Julian Evansrussia invades Crimea and Donbas in 2014 - reaction of the democratic world - concern. russia invades with a full-scale war in 2022 - reaction, concern. ⬇️
- A Political Mind Special on Ukraine tonight 8.15pm | Institute of Psychoanalysis – I’ll be discussing with Igor Romanov and David Morgan #Ukraine and #russia prior to the release of my book UNDEFEATABLE: ODESA IN LOVE AND WAR. Join us psychoanalysis.org.uk/civicrm/event/…
- 1000 days since Putin invaded Ukraine with his intention of taking Kyiv in 3 days. More than 10 years since he started his megalomaniac vanity project. I’ve known Ukrainians for 30 years. Theirs is a light that will never go out. Please keep supporting them #1000days #standwithukraine
- Another utterly barbarous cluster munitions attack in the centre of Odesa. 8 killed just now. This is Putin’s escalation. It also means he’s scared www.kyivpost.com/post/42417
- Reposted by Julian EvansStory just out by the AP about the fighting on the front line. Yes it’s very hard, but this story is so much more well rounded than most. How much of Ukraine has Russia taken this year? Less than 1 percent. apnews.com/article/ukra...
- At last Joe Biden authorised Ukraine to use ATACMS long-range weapons to defend its army in Russia’s Kursk region. But our Western help for Ukraine is still, as my Odesan friend @Rejisser88 said, like the tears of a crying cat. “You know, when you try to collect the water and it’s nothing.” 1/2
- Perhaps we still haven’t grasped the imperative to defeat Russia. An empire has no borders. Its ambitions are always territorial, its means always assimilation by force. Don’t believe me? Come back in 20 years & we’ll discuss what happened if we don’t help Ukraine win now. If we’re allowed to 2/2
