American Heritage Museum Hosts Successful Three-Day Symposium with the Ukrainian Freedom Fund

May 7, 2026

From April 23–25, 2026, the American Heritage Museum was honored to host an extraordinary three-day symposium in partnership with the Ukrainian Freedom Fund (UFF), bringing together military leaders, Ukrainian defenders, technology specialists, civilian witnesses, policy experts, and members of the public for a powerful program on the future of modern warfare.

The symposium, titled “Technology, Doctrine & Leadership in the Ukraine-Russia War,” was an outstanding success. More than 100 professionals, distinguished guests, and invited participants attended over the course of the three-day program, with nearly 800 general museum guests taking part during the two public-access days on April 24 and 25.

Through a combination of keynote remarks, expert panels, firsthand testimony, and public demonstrations, the symposium gave attendees a rare opportunity to hear directly from those experiencing, studying, and responding to the war in Ukraine. The program connected the realities of the battlefield with larger questions about U.S. strategy, allied defense planning, emerging technology, and the human cost of modern conflict.

The event opened with a keynote operational update from Gen. David McKiernan, U.S. Army (Ret.), who provided a current, front-line-informed overview of the situation in Ukraine. His remarks helped ground the symposium in the reality of an ongoing war and underscored why Ukraine’s defense remains connected to broader questions of global security.

Throughout the public sessions, speakers explored how Ukraine’s experience is reshaping the way militaries think about doctrine, training, leadership, technology, and battlefield adaptation. Lt. Gen. David A. Deptula, U.S. Air Force (Ret.), a member of the UFF advisory board, connected the lessons of Ukraine to U.S. defense planning, explaining how precision systems, unmanned technologies, electronic warfare, and rapid innovation are already influencing future operations.

One of the central themes of the symposium was the revolutionary role of drones and emerging technologies in modern combat. Ukrainian experts and military leaders discussed how unmanned systems are being used for reconnaissance, targeting, coordination, and direct battlefield action. These presentations helped visitors understand how low-cost, adaptable technologies are changing the pace and character of war in real time.

The symposium also examined the development of military doctrine and leadership in Ukraine. Speakers described how Ukrainian forces continue to adapt training, decision-making, and command structures while under the pressure of active war. For American audiences, these discussions showed that doctrine is not simply written in manuals, but shaped by necessity, experience, and survival on the battlefield.

Another important session considered what lessons should, and should not, be drawn from Ukraine’s experience. In a discussion featuring Lt. Gen. Deptula and Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery, U.S. Navy (Ret.), attendees heard a thoughtful analysis of which lessons apply broadly to future warfare and which may be specific to the unique conditions of the Ukraine-Russia War.

Equally powerful were the sessions focused on the human experience of war. Ukrainian civilians and veterans shared what it means to live, work, lead, and endure under constant attack. Yana Bilash, UFF Administrative Director and a Kyiv resident who remained in Ukraine during some of the most intense periods of the war, offered a deeply personal perspective on daily life under threat. Ukrainian officers and veterans also described the modern combat experience, where traditional demands such as leadership, logistics, endurance, and courage now exist alongside constant pressure from drones, sensors, electronic warfare, and precision threats.

During the public-access days, museum guests were also able to take part in hands-on demonstrations of modern drone combat through drone flight simulation software. These interactive demonstrations helped bring the topic to life, allowing visitors to better understand how drones are being used in today’s combat environment. The American Heritage Museum extends special thanks to Oleg Y. for his incredible support throughout the event and for helping make these demonstrations possible.

The American Heritage Museum is deeply grateful to the Ukrainian Freedom Fund, the participating speakers, volunteers, staff, distinguished guests, and all who attended this important program. As a museum dedicated to preserving and interpreting the history of conflict, service, sacrifice, and military innovation, this symposium offered a timely and meaningful connection between the lessons of the past and the rapidly evolving realities of war today.

For more information on the Ukrainian Freedom Fund and its programs, please visit: ukrfreedomfund.org

Public sessions from the symposium were recorded by the American Heritage Museum and are available below:

Impact on US Policy: How Ukraine’s War is Influencing US Operations in Iran and Elsewhere

Lieutenant General David Deptula, USAF (Ret.)
https://youtu.be/I4keoh8enMM

Development of Military Doctrine, Training, Education in Ukraine

Col. Craig Wonson, USMC (Ret.); Col. Mykhailo Pinkevich, AFU (Ret.); Capt. Andrii Ryzhenko, Ukr Navy (Ret.); Mr. Drew Barnes
https://youtu.be/TT4cwb3N9n8

Modern Warfare: Drones, Lasers and Technology on the Battlefield

Col. Vadym Sukharevskyi, AFU; Capt. Andrii Ryzhenko, Ukr Navy (Ret.); Oleh “Q”
https://youtu.be/ESoGGS9vZ0M

Modern Warfare: What We Should Learn and What We Should Not Learn from Ukraine

Lieutenant General David Deptula, USAF (Ret.); RADM Mark Montgomery, USN (Ret.)
https://youtu.be/VJjhHv9gn_E

Life in Ukraine: Living Under Constant Attack

Lieutenant General David Deptula, USAF (Ret.); Col. Mykhailo Pinkevich, AFU (Ret.); Yana Bilash, UFF Admin Director; Capt. Andrii Ryzhenko, Ukr Navy (Ret.); Andy Bain, UFF Executive Director
https://youtu.be/sS9HvPZ1KCk