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New DW podcast reveals Latin Americans fighting in Ukraine

Why would someone leave Latin America to fight in a distant war? New podcast "Call Sign Condor" explores the motivations and experiences of Latin American volunteers serving on Ukraine’s front lines.

Call Sign Condor Teaser

In a new international collaboration, DW, LA Times Studios and Futuro Studios take listeners deep inside the world of Latin American soldiers fighting in Ukraine, for Ukraine. Drawing on years of reporting and extraordinary access, the narrative podcasts "Call Sign Condor" and "Alias Cóndor" tell deeply personal stories of these soldiers: what were their lives like back home? What made them decide to make the long journey to Ukraine? And why did they choose to join a war, risking their lives for a country that is not their own? Their stories span fear and loss, but also belonging, purpose and love.

The English-language series "Call Sign Condor" and Spanish-language series "Alias Cóndor" are available now on major podcast platforms. 

Stories beyond the battlefield 

Hosted by DW International Correspondent Carolina Chimoy, the series draws on nearly three years of her reporting from Ukraine and more than a year of dedicated work on this project. Carolina gathered interviews, recordings and first-hand material from Latin American soldiers, building the relationships and trust that gave her rare access to their lives on and beyond the front lines.

The series sheds light on a little-known group of fighters whose journeys connect Latin America and the war in Ukraine, revealing the layered personal motivations and global forces that brought these Latin American soldiers to Ukraine, what they have endured and what they have found there.

Produced and distributed by DW, LA Times Studios and Futuro Studios, the project marks their first major collaboration, bringing deeply human stories to audiences worldwide.

Dr. Nadja Scholz, DW Managing Director Programming: "Call Sign Condor exemplifies the journalism DW stands for: thoroughly researched, human-centered and relevant beyond the news cycle. The podcast shows how audio storytelling can make complex issues accessible while exploring them in depth and building lasting connections with audiences worldwide."

The first episodes of "Call Sign Condor: Latino Soldiers Fighting in Ukraine" and "Alias Cóndor: Soldados Latinos en la Guerra de Ucrania" are available now on dw.com, latimes.com/podcasts, all major podcast platforms worldwide ("Call Sign Condor", "Alias Cóndor"), and on the DW News and DW Español YouTube channels. New episodes will be released weekly. 

Media contact for collaborations or interviews: communication@dw.com