Technology, Doctrine & Leadership in the Ukraine-Russia War: Public Symposium with the Ukrainian Freedom Fund

Technology, Doctrine & Leadership in the Ukraine-Russia War Public Symposium

April 24-25, 2026
American Heritage Museum

The American Heritage Museum is honored to host a two-day symposium for the public presented in partnership with the Ukrainian Freedom Fund, bringing together military leaders, defense experts, and representatives connected to the front lines of the war in Ukraine. The weekend will feature panel discussions, guest speakers, and drone simulator demonstrations focused on the rapidly evolving role of technology, doctrine, leadership, and modern battlefield operations.

Access to all symposium activities on Friday and Saturday are included with American Heritage Museum Standard Admission – get your AHM tickets online below:

Click Here for Tickets on Friday, April 24th

Click Here for Tickets on Saturday, April 25th

Featured Guest Speakers

The symposium will feature an outstanding group of military and defense leaders sharing their experience and observations from Ukraine’s front lines and from the broader world of modern warfare, including:

General David McKiernan, USA (Ret.)
Leader of coalition ground forces in 2003 invasion of Iraq

Lieutenant General David Deptula, USAF (Ret.)
Director of  Air Force Association (AFA) Mitchell Institute

Lieutenant General John Jansen, USMC (Ret.)
Deputy Commandant Programs & Resources.

RADM Mark Montgomery, USN (Ret.)
Former EUCOM Deputy Director; Executive Director, Cyberspace Solarium Commission

Dr. Benjamin M. Jensen (COL, USAR)
Director, Futures Lab, CSIS

Col. Craig Wonson, USMC (Ret.)
Former Military Professor, U.S. Naval War College

Admiral Ihor Voronchenko, Ukrainian Navy (Ret.)
Inspector General of Ukrainian Armed Forces, CNO of Ukrainian Navy

Col. Vadim Sukarevsky, AFU
First Commander, Unmanned Systems Forces

Oleg “Q”
Director, R&D, Ukraine Advanced Research Agency

Oleh Trofimiuk
Head of R&D, Unmanned Systems & Electronic Warfare

Capt. Andrii Ryzhenko, Ukr Navy (Ret.)
Author of “Mosquito Fleet” concept; Naval consultant

Col. Mykhailo Pinkevich, AFU (Ret.)
Advisor, Constanta Airlines; Retired Colonel, AFU

Vadym Shumakov
Founder, Safari Defense LLC; Volunteer Soldier, AFU

Yana Bilash
UFF Admin Director

Public Programming Highlights

Friday, April 24, 2026

The American Heritage Museum is open all day, from 10:00am to 5:00pm for General Admission.

Open Panels – Located in the Main Museum Building / Pacific War Gallery

11:30am — Impact on US Policy: How Ukraine’s War is Influencing US Operations in Iran and Elsewhere

12:00pm — Development of Military Doctrine, Training, Education in Ukraine

1:00pm — Modern Warfare: Drones, Lasers and Technology on the Battlefield

2:00pm — Modern Warfare: What We Should Learn and What We Should Not Learn from Ukraine

3:00pm — Life in Ukraine: Living Under Constant Attack

Drone Simulators – Located inside the museum near the F-105 Thunderchief.

11:00 AM to 4:00 PM — Ongoing simulator activities open to the public and included with museum admission.

Saturday, April 25, 2026

The American Heritage Museum is open all day, from 10:00am to 5:00pm for General Admission.

Open Panels – Located in the Main Museum Building / Pacific War Gallery

11:00 AM — Life in Ukraine: Living Under Constant Attack

1:00 PM — Modern Warfare: Drones and Technology on the Battlefield

2:00 PM — Life on Ukraine’s Frontlines: The Modern Combat Experience

Drone Simulators – Located inside the museum near the F-105 Thunderchief.

11:00 AM to 3:00 PM — Ongoing simulator activities open to the public and included with museum admission.

Thursday Evening: The Commander’s Banquet

On Thursday, April 23, the symposium opens with The Commander’s Banquet, an evening reception and banquet held inside the American Heritage Museum. The evening includes cocktails at 6:00 PM, dinner at 7:30 PM, and a keynote at 8:00 PM. Tickets are $242.00 per person, with all proceeds benefitting the Ukrainian Freedom Fund. Advanced sponsorship opportunities are available as well. Banquet guests will enjoy access to the museum Friday and Saturday for the activities each day as part of their event admission.

Click Here for Tickets to The Commander’s Banquet

Experience Modern Warfare Discussions Inside a World-Class Museum

This special weekend offers museum visitors a rare opportunity to hear directly from senior military leaders, defense thinkers, and Ukrainian representatives while also experiencing drone combat simulator demonstrations tied to the realities of modern conflict. Guests visiting on Friday and Saturday can attend the public sessions as part of their normal museum visit, making this an especially timely and powerful addition to the American Heritage Museum experience.

For full symposium details and banquet registration information, visit the Ukrainian Freedom Fund symposium page.

More Information on the Symposium