https://simplecast.com Call Sign Condor: Latino Soldiers Fighting in Ukraine Why would someone decide to risk their life for a country that is not their own? What might they be searching for? Call Sign Condor is a podcast about the thousands of Latin American soldiers who are fighting in Ukraine — for Ukraine. Through the stories of our protagonist, Condor, and his fellow soldiers, this four-part series takes us inside the lives of Latin American men and women who’ve been fighting — some of them for years — in the war in Ukraine. Through their experiences of fear, loss, and belonging — even falling in love — host Carolina Chimoy explores what brought these soldiers to the front, how they’ve experienced the war, and what they've found there. From LA Times Studios and DW, in collaboration with Futuro Studios, Call Sign Condor launches September 23. ABOUT THE HOST: Carolina Chimoy is an international correspondent at DW’s headquarters in Berlin, currently covering the war in Ukraine. She previously served as DW’s U.S. correspondent in Washington, D.C., reporting on the White House, national security, and transatlantic relations. Over the course of her career, Carolina has reported extensively from across Latin America, covering presidential elections in Brazil, Peru and Bolivia, as well as major political developments in the region. For this podcast, after realizing just how many Latinos have come to fight in this war in Ukraine, Carolina has immersed herself in the world of these soldiers. She’s observed not only how they live with a war that is not their own, but also how they have adapted to Ukrainian society, its climate and its culture. Through Condor and other soldiers’ personal stories, she takes us into the reality of the trenches, but also into deeply human moments of relief and even happiness each has found. At the same time, she shows how these soldiers are also changing the lives of Ukrainians in their own country. en Tue, 27 Oct 2026 18:00:00 +0000 Tue, 27 Oct 2026 18:00:16 +0000 https://condor.simplecast.com Call Sign Condor: Latino Soldiers Fighting in Ukraine https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/820742b7-0847-4208-acff-e6469781da1a/b4e3b0cd-6ad0-429d-9d30-fb1c14410786/3000x3000/cropped-1788460590667.jpg?aid=rss_feed https://condor.simplecast.com serial Why would someone decide to risk their life for a country that is not their own? What might they be searching for? Call Sign Condor is a podcast about the thousands of Latin American soldiers who are fighting in Ukraine — for Ukraine. Through the stories of our protagonist, Condor, and his fellow soldiers, this four-part series takes us inside the lives of Latin American men and women who’ve been fighting — some of them for years — in the war in Ukraine. Through their experiences of fear, loss, and belonging — even falling in love — host Carolina Chimoy explores what brought these soldiers to the front, how they’ve experienced the war, and what they've found there. From LA Times Studios and DW, in collaboration with Futuro Studios, Call Sign Condor launches September 23. ABOUT THE HOST: Carolina Chimoy is an international correspondent at DW’s headquarters in Berlin, currently covering the war in Ukraine. She previously served as DW’s U.S. correspondent in Washington, D.C., reporting on the White House, national security, and transatlantic relations. Over the course of her career, Carolina has reported extensively from across Latin America, covering presidential elections in Brazil, Peru and Bolivia, as well as major political developments in the region. For this podcast, after realizing just how many Latinos have come to fight in this war in Ukraine, Carolina has immersed herself in the world of these soldiers. She’s observed not only how they live with a war that is not their own, but also how they have adapted to Ukrainian society, its climate and its culture. Through Condor and other soldiers’ personal stories, she takes us into the reality of the trenches, but also into deeply human moments of relief and even happiness each has found. At the same time, she shows how these soldiers are also changing the lives of Ukrainians in their own country. DW, LA Times Studios, Futuro Studios false https://feeds.simplecast.com/016VhYP7 Darius Derakshan Darius.derakshan@latimes.com 58464b12-3be2-4b1a-bfb4-15101f76470d Bonus: Russian recruitment and sabotage Over the last several years, as the war with Russia has intensified, Ukraine has increased its efforts to recruit soldiers from foreign countries, largely from those in Latin America, like Colombia. Thousands of Latino soldiers have enlisted and, if you listen to all four episodes of Call Sign Condor, you’ll meet several of them.  

Russia also recruits foreign soldiers for its army — mostly from North Korea and Kenya, but also from Latin America. But the Russians are not only deploying these recruits to the frontlines. The military recruits people to commit acts of sabotage against Ukrainians and others. Here’s the thing though — in many cases, these recruits do not even realize that they are working for Russia. 

This is the subject of a new documentary from DW, Salsa and Sabotage. The host of Call Sign Condor, Carolina Chimoy, sits down with the journalists behind the doc, Julett Pineda and Mathias Bölinger, to learn more. 

You can also watch the interview on YouTube.

Here are the links to the DW investigation Salsa and Sabotage: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Arvv01xuv8

https://www.dw.com/en/cuban-dance-teacher-ordered-eu-sabotage-attacks-from-russia/a-79225946 


 

]]> Tue, 27 Oct 2026 18:00:00 +0000 Darius.derakshan@latimes.com (Darius Derakshan ) https://condor.simplecast.com/episodes/bonus-russian-recruitment-and-sabotage-lEZtcG6h Over the last several years, as the war with Russia has intensified, Ukraine has increased its efforts to recruit soldiers from foreign countries, largely from those in Latin America, like Colombia. Thousands of Latino soldiers have enlisted and, if you listen to all four episodes of Call Sign Condor, you’ll meet several of them.  

Russia also recruits foreign soldiers for its army — mostly from North Korea and Kenya, but also from Latin America. But the Russians are not only deploying these recruits to the frontlines. The military recruits people to commit acts of sabotage against Ukrainians and others. Here’s the thing though — in many cases, these recruits do not even realize that they are working for Russia. 

This is the subject of a new documentary from DW, Salsa and Sabotage. The host of Call Sign Condor, Carolina Chimoy, sits down with the journalists behind the doc, Julett Pineda and Mathias Bölinger, to learn more. 

You can also watch the interview on YouTube.

Here are the links to the DW investigation Salsa and Sabotage: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Arvv01xuv8

https://www.dw.com/en/cuban-dance-teacher-ordered-eu-sabotage-attacks-from-russia/a-79225946 


 

]]> Bonus: Russian recruitment and sabotage Darius Derakshan 00:34:00 Over the last several years, as the war with Russia has intensified, Ukraine has increased its efforts to recruit soldiers from foreign countries, largely from those in Latin America, like Colombia. Thousands of Latino soldiers have enlisted and, if you listen to all four episodes of Call Sign Condor, you’ll meet several of them. Russia also recruits foreign soldiers for its army — mostly from North Korea and Kenya, but also from Latin America. But the Russians are not only deploying these recruits to the frontlines. The military recruits people to commit acts of sabotage against Ukrainians and others. Here’s the thing though — in many cases, these recruits do not even realize that they are working for Russia. This is the subject of a new documentary from DW, Salsa and Sabotage. The host of Call Sign Condor, Carolina Chimoy, sits down with the journalists behind the doc, Julett Pineda and Mathias Bölinger, to learn more. You can also watch the interview on YouTube. Here are the links to the DW investigation Salsa and Sabotage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Arvv01xuv8 https://www.dw.com/en/cuban-dance-teacher-ordered-eu-sabotage-attacks-from-russia/a-79225946 Over the last several years, as the war with Russia has intensified, Ukraine has increased its efforts to recruit soldiers from foreign countries, largely from those in Latin America, like Colombia. Thousands of Latino soldiers have enlisted and, if you listen to all four episodes of Call Sign Condor, you’ll meet several of them. Russia also recruits foreign soldiers for its army — mostly from North Korea and Kenya, but also from Latin America. But the Russians are not only deploying these recruits to the frontlines. The military recruits people to commit acts of sabotage against Ukrainians and others. Here’s the thing though — in many cases, these recruits do not even realize that they are working for Russia. This is the subject of a new documentary from DW, Salsa and Sabotage. The host of Call Sign Condor, Carolina Chimoy, sits down with the journalists behind the doc, Julett Pineda and Mathias Bölinger, to learn more. You can also watch the interview on YouTube. Here are the links to the DW investigation Salsa and Sabotage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Arvv01xuv8 https://www.dw.com/en/cuban-dance-teacher-ordered-eu-sabotage-attacks-from-russia/a-79225946 false full 5 1 06c856fe-cb37-44a0-92df-8c82a484d5b0 4. Looking for peace in Ukraine There are many reasons Latin American soldiers have joined Ukraine’s fight against Russia. Money is one. Soldiers earn a decent salary, especially in the trenches. But, for many, the reasons go far beyond financial motives.

Some are searching for a future, a better life. Others are looking for respect, admiration, and a way to escape the realities of life in Latin America. For some, the reasons lie much further back, in their own pasts. In this final episode of Call Sign Condor, we learn what really brought our protagonist, Condor, to Ukraine.

Host: Carolina Chimoy


 

]]> Wed, 14 Oct 2026 07:00:00 +0000 Darius.derakshan@latimes.com (Darius Derakshan ) https://condor.simplecast.com/episodes/4-looking-for-peace-in-ukraine-F5LzVa1J There are many reasons Latin American soldiers have joined Ukraine’s fight against Russia. Money is one. Soldiers earn a decent salary, especially in the trenches. But, for many, the reasons go far beyond financial motives.

Some are searching for a future, a better life. Others are looking for respect, admiration, and a way to escape the realities of life in Latin America. For some, the reasons lie much further back, in their own pasts. In this final episode of Call Sign Condor, we learn what really brought our protagonist, Condor, to Ukraine.

Host: Carolina Chimoy


 

]]> 4. Looking for peace in Ukraine Darius Derakshan 00:38:03 There are many reasons Latin American soldiers have joined Ukraine’s fight against Russia. Money is one. Soldiers earn a decent salary, especially in the trenches. But, for many, the reasons go far beyond financial motives. Some are searching for a future, a better life. Others are looking for respect, admiration, and a way to escape the realities of life in Latin America. For some, the reasons lie much further back, in their own pasts. In this final episode of Call Sign Condor, we learn what really brought our protagonist, Condor, to Ukraine. Host: Carolina Chimoy There are many reasons Latin American soldiers have joined Ukraine’s fight against Russia. Money is one. Soldiers earn a decent salary, especially in the trenches. But, for many, the reasons go far beyond financial motives. Some are searching for a future, a better life. Others are looking for respect, admiration, and a way to escape the realities of life in Latin America. For some, the reasons lie much further back, in their own pasts. In this final episode of Call Sign Condor, we learn what really brought our protagonist, Condor, to Ukraine. Host: Carolina Chimoy false full 4 1 4b18fb14-d003-481a-a7f8-cc2ac0a07570 3. Love and war in Ukraine Panama does a favor for a fellow soldier and, inadvertently, meets a Ukrainian woman with whom he falls in love. As he gets to know her family, he becomes immersed in Ukrainian culture, language, and traditions.

Meanwhile, a translator develops deep bonds with the Latino soldiers he works with, and a commander with the Ukrainian army says he would be nothing without his Latino “Stormtroopers”. 

As the war drags on, a mutual respect and appreciation grows between the Ukrainian people and many of these men and women from Latin America. For the soldiers, Ukraine is no longer just a faraway place — it has become their home. And many soldiers say they want to remain in the country even after the war ends.

Host: Carolina Chimoy


 

]]> Wed, 7 Oct 2026 07:00:00 +0000 Darius.derakshan@latimes.com (Darius Derakshan ) https://condor.simplecast.com/episodes/3-love-and-war-in-ukraine-Kve5L4O_ Panama does a favor for a fellow soldier and, inadvertently, meets a Ukrainian woman with whom he falls in love. As he gets to know her family, he becomes immersed in Ukrainian culture, language, and traditions.

Meanwhile, a translator develops deep bonds with the Latino soldiers he works with, and a commander with the Ukrainian army says he would be nothing without his Latino “Stormtroopers”. 

As the war drags on, a mutual respect and appreciation grows between the Ukrainian people and many of these men and women from Latin America. For the soldiers, Ukraine is no longer just a faraway place — it has become their home. And many soldiers say they want to remain in the country even after the war ends.

Host: Carolina Chimoy


 

]]> 3. Love and war in Ukraine Darius Derakshan 00:30:23 Panama does a favor for a fellow soldier and, inadvertently, meets a Ukrainian woman with whom he falls in love. As he gets to know her family, he becomes immersed in Ukrainian culture, language, and traditions. Meanwhile, a translator develops deep bonds with the Latino soldiers he works with, and a commander with the Ukrainian army says he would be nothing without his Latino “Stormtroopers”. As the war drags on, a mutual respect and appreciation grows between the Ukrainian people and many of these men and women from Latin America. For the soldiers, Ukraine is no longer just a faraway place — it has become their home. And many soldiers say they want to remain in the country even after the war ends. Host: Carolina Chimoy Panama does a favor for a fellow soldier and, inadvertently, meets a Ukrainian woman with whom he falls in love. As he gets to know her family, he becomes immersed in Ukrainian culture, language, and traditions. Meanwhile, a translator develops deep bonds with the Latino soldiers he works with, and a commander with the Ukrainian army says he would be nothing without his Latino “Stormtroopers”. As the war drags on, a mutual respect and appreciation grows between the Ukrainian people and many of these men and women from Latin America. For the soldiers, Ukraine is no longer just a faraway place — it has become their home. And many soldiers say they want to remain in the country even after the war ends. Host: Carolina Chimoy false full 3 1 d2447f39-4752-4b81-91b4-17c5128afeb2 2. Life in the trenches Condor arrives in Ukraine knowing no one and unable to speak or read the language. Despite never having held a rifle before, he enlists in the Ukrainian army. He signs a contract, goes through his first military training, and heads to line zero: the frontline in eastern Ukraine, facing the enemy.

In this second episode of Call Sign Condor, our protagonist meets Panama, another Latin American soldier, in the trenches. Together, they share a brush with death, and experience the war in ways that will change their lives forever.

Host: Carolina Chimoy
 


 

]]> Wed, 30 Sep 2026 07:05:00 +0000 Darius.derakshan@latimes.com (Darius Derakshan ) https://condor.simplecast.com/episodes/life-in-the-trenches-ZX4vnqVy Condor arrives in Ukraine knowing no one and unable to speak or read the language. Despite never having held a rifle before, he enlists in the Ukrainian army. He signs a contract, goes through his first military training, and heads to line zero: the frontline in eastern Ukraine, facing the enemy.

In this second episode of Call Sign Condor, our protagonist meets Panama, another Latin American soldier, in the trenches. Together, they share a brush with death, and experience the war in ways that will change their lives forever.

Host: Carolina Chimoy
 


 

]]> 2. Life in the trenches Darius Derakshan 00:33:23 Condor arrives in Ukraine knowing no one and unable to speak or read the language. Despite never having held a rifle before, he enlists in the Ukrainian army. He signs a contract, goes through his first military training, and heads to line zero: the frontline in eastern Ukraine, facing the enemy. In this second episode of Call Sign Condor, our protagonist meets Panama, another Latin American soldier, in the trenches. Together, they share a brush with death, and experience the war in ways that will change their lives forever. Host: Carolina Chimoy Condor arrives in Ukraine knowing no one and unable to speak or read the language. Despite never having held a rifle before, he enlists in the Ukrainian army. He signs a contract, goes through his first military training, and heads to line zero: the frontline in eastern Ukraine, facing the enemy. In this second episode of Call Sign Condor, our protagonist meets Panama, another Latin American soldier, in the trenches. Together, they share a brush with death, and experience the war in ways that will change their lives forever. Host: Carolina Chimoy false full 2 1 5194ec24-a4aa-4625-a31d-8c0c56cd3b15 1. 'Dad, I’m going to Ukraine' We meet Condor, which is not his real name. It’s his military call sign. Condor was an IT specialist back home but, after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, he felt an unexplainable pull to join the fight alongside Ukrainian soldiers. It’s a decision that shocked his friends and his family. He’s now been in the country for three years, and even he still struggles sometimes to understand why he enlisted.  


Condor is among the thousands of Latin American soldiers who have joined Ukraine’s fight against Russia. He and his comrades spend weeks in the trenches, rifle in hand, prepared to kill — and to be killed. Their reasons for going vary, but through Condor’s story we gain insight into why these men and women leave everything behind, and travel to a country far away to fight in a war that is not their own. 

From LA Times Studios and DW, in collaboration with Futuro Studios, this four-part series is available in English and Spanish. 

To listen in Spanish: ​​https://pod.link/6808384868

Host: Carolina Chimoy
 


 

]]> Wed, 23 Sep 2026 07:00:00 +0000 Darius.derakshan@latimes.com (Darius Derakshan ) https://condor.simplecast.com/episodes/dad-im-going-to-ukraine-Lja3bJj1 We meet Condor, which is not his real name. It’s his military call sign. Condor was an IT specialist back home but, after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, he felt an unexplainable pull to join the fight alongside Ukrainian soldiers. It’s a decision that shocked his friends and his family. He’s now been in the country for three years, and even he still struggles sometimes to understand why he enlisted.  


Condor is among the thousands of Latin American soldiers who have joined Ukraine’s fight against Russia. He and his comrades spend weeks in the trenches, rifle in hand, prepared to kill — and to be killed. Their reasons for going vary, but through Condor’s story we gain insight into why these men and women leave everything behind, and travel to a country far away to fight in a war that is not their own. 

From LA Times Studios and DW, in collaboration with Futuro Studios, this four-part series is available in English and Spanish. 

To listen in Spanish: ​​https://pod.link/6808384868

Host: Carolina Chimoy
 


 

]]> 1. 'Dad, I’m going to Ukraine' Darius Derakshan 00:23:32 We meet Condor, which is not his real name. It’s his military call sign. Condor was an IT specialist back home but, after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, he felt an unexplainable pull to join the fight alongside Ukrainian soldiers. It’s a decision that shocked his friends and his family. He’s now been in the country for three years, and even he still struggles sometimes to understand why he enlisted.  Condor is among the thousands of Latin American soldiers who have joined Ukraine’s fight against Russia. He and his comrades spend weeks in the trenches, rifle in hand, prepared to kill — and to be killed. Their reasons for going vary, but through Condor’s story we gain insight into why these men and women leave everything behind, and travel to a country far away to fight in a war that is not their own.  From LA Times Studios and DW, in collaboration with Futuro Studios, this four-part series is available in English and Spanish.  To listen in Spanish: ​​https://pod.link/6808384868 Host: Carolina Chimoy We meet Condor, which is not his real name. It’s his military call sign. Condor was an IT specialist back home but, after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, he felt an unexplainable pull to join the fight alongside Ukrainian soldiers. It’s a decision that shocked his friends and his family. He’s now been in the country for three years, and even he still struggles sometimes to understand why he enlisted.  Condor is among the thousands of Latin American soldiers who have joined Ukraine’s fight against Russia. He and his comrades spend weeks in the trenches, rifle in hand, prepared to kill — and to be killed. Their reasons for going vary, but through Condor’s story we gain insight into why these men and women leave everything behind, and travel to a country far away to fight in a war that is not their own.  From LA Times Studios and DW, in collaboration with Futuro Studios, this four-part series is available in English and Spanish.  To listen in Spanish: ​​https://pod.link/6808384868 Host: Carolina Chimoy false full 1 1 8c74b09e-b26e-45f0-9cf3-f949f5b7515a Introducing: Call Sign Condor: Latino Soldiers Fighting in Ukraine Why would someone decide to risk their life for a country that is not their own? What might they be searching for? Call Sign Condor is a podcast about the thousands of Latin American soldiers who are fighting in Ukraine — for Ukraine. Through the stories of our protagonist, Condor, and his fellow soldiers, this four-part series takes us inside the lives of Latin American men and women who’ve been fighting — some of them for years — in the war in Ukraine. Through their experiences of fear, loss, and belonging — even falling in love — host Carolina Chimoy explores what brought these soldiers to the front, how they’ve experienced the war, and what they've found there. From LA Times Studios and DW, in collaboration with Futuro Studios, Call Sign Condor launches September 23.

 

]]> Thu, 3 Sep 2026 22:18:07 +0000 Darius.derakshan@latimes.com (Darius Derakshan ) https://condor.simplecast.com/episodes/introducing-call-sign-condor-gtpG_Gfb Why would someone decide to risk their life for a country that is not their own? What might they be searching for? Call Sign Condor is a podcast about the thousands of Latin American soldiers who are fighting in Ukraine — for Ukraine. Through the stories of our protagonist, Condor, and his fellow soldiers, this four-part series takes us inside the lives of Latin American men and women who’ve been fighting — some of them for years — in the war in Ukraine. Through their experiences of fear, loss, and belonging — even falling in love — host Carolina Chimoy explores what brought these soldiers to the front, how they’ve experienced the war, and what they've found there. From LA Times Studios and DW, in collaboration with Futuro Studios, Call Sign Condor launches September 23.

 

]]> Introducing: Call Sign Condor: Latino Soldiers Fighting in Ukraine Darius Derakshan 00:02:19 Why would someone decide to risk their life for a country that is not their own? What might they be searching for? Call Sign Condor is a podcast about the thousands of Latin American soldiers who are fighting in Ukraine — for Ukraine. Through the stories of our protagonist, Condor, and his fellow soldiers, this four-part series takes us inside the lives of Latin American men and women who’ve been fighting — some of them for years — in the war in Ukraine. Through their experiences of fear, loss, and belonging — even falling in love — host Carolina Chimoy explores what brought these soldiers to the front, how they’ve experienced the war, and what they've found there. From LA Times Studios and DW, in collaboration with Futuro Studios, Call Sign Condor launches September 23. ABOUT THE HOST: Carolina Chimoy is an international correspondent at DW’s headquarters in Berlin, currently covering the war in Ukraine. She previously served as DW’s U.S. correspondent in Washington, D.C., reporting on the White House, national security, and transatlantic relations. Over the course of her career, Carolina has reported extensively from across Latin America, covering presidential elections in Brazil, Peru and Bolivia, as well as major political developments in the region. For this podcast, after realizing just how many Latinos have come to fight in this war in Ukraine, Carolina has immersed herself in the world of these soldiers. She’s observed not only how they live with a war that is not their own, but also how they have adapted to Ukrainian society, its climate and its culture. Through Condor and other soldiers’ personal stories, she takes us into the reality of the trenches, but also into deeply human moments of relief and even happiness each has found. At the same time, she shows how these soldiers are also changing the lives of Ukrainians in their own country. Why would someone decide to risk their life for a country that is not their own? What might they be searching for? Call Sign Condor is a podcast about the thousands of Latin American soldiers who are fighting in Ukraine — for Ukraine. Through the stories of our protagonist, Condor, and his fellow soldiers, this four-part series takes us inside the lives of Latin American men and women who’ve been fighting — some of them for years — in the war in Ukraine. Through their experiences of fear, loss, and belonging — even falling in love — host Carolina Chimoy explores what brought these soldiers to the front, how they’ve experienced the war, and what they've found there. From LA Times Studios and DW, in collaboration with Futuro Studios, Call Sign Condor launches September 23. ABOUT THE HOST: Carolina Chimoy is an international correspondent at DW’s headquarters in Berlin, currently covering the war in Ukraine. She previously served as DW’s U.S. correspondent in Washington, D.C., reporting on the White House, national security, and transatlantic relations. Over the course of her career, Carolina has reported extensively from across Latin America, covering presidential elections in Brazil, Peru and Bolivia, as well as major political developments in the region. For this podcast, after realizing just how many Latinos have come to fight in this war in Ukraine, Carolina has immersed herself in the world of these soldiers. She’s observed not only how they live with a war that is not their own, but also how they have adapted to Ukrainian society, its climate and its culture. Through Condor and other soldiers’ personal stories, she takes us into the reality of the trenches, but also into deeply human moments of relief and even happiness each has found. At the same time, she shows how these soldiers are also changing the lives of Ukrainians in their own country. false trailer 1