In this episode of the #StratComPodcast, Liudmyla Dolhonovska, former Advisor on Strategic Communications to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, General Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, delivers a wealth of insights gleaned from her tenure. She underscores the pivotal role of strategic communications in fostering public trust in the military, particularly during the critical early days of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Dolhonovska emphasizes the necessity of transparent, timely information dissemination to uphold societal cohesion and sustain support for the armed forces. She reflects on the challenges of maintaining accurate narratives amidst the fog of war, highlighting the need for adaptability and resilience in communication strategies. Her experiences provide a profound understanding of how strategic communication can fortify public confidence and contribute to a nation's resilience in times of crisis.
Liudmyla Dolhonovska is a distinguished communication specialist, holding a PhD in Philosophy from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and a Master's degree in History from Nizhyn Mykola Gogol State University. From July 2021 to March 2023, she served as the strategic communications advisor to General Valeriy Zaluzhnyi. During her service, Dolhonovska played a crucial role in ensuring the public remained informed during pivotal moments, including the onset of the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022. On the invasion’s first day, her social media updates reached over seven million people, providing critical and timely information about the attacks. Currently, Dolhonovska serves as Chief of Staff at American University Kyiv (AUK), a partner institution of Arizona State University, where she focuses on advancing world-class educational opportunities in Ukraine.