Petro Burkovskiy

Executive Director

Petro Burkovskyi is DIF Senior Fellow, supervising DIF analytical activities since October 2017. Before joining DIF Petro Burkovskyi worked for 14 years in the National Institute for Strategic Studies as head of the Center for Advanced Russia Studies (2019-2020), head of Department for Political System Development (2016-2019), deputy head of Analysis and Information Department (2010-2016), chief consultant (2006-2010). He is a cadre civil servant (2005-2018).

Petro Burkovskyi holds MA with distinction in Political Science from the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy (2004). He is alumnus of the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies (2007). In 2014 participated in High Level Expert Program at the Federal Foreign Office of Germany. In 2015 completed Defence Management Course at the Cranfield University, Defence Academy of UK.

Since 2004 he is engaged in the civil society activity, working as an independent analyst for media watchdog “Detector Media”, tracking political propaganda influence and manipulation in Ukraine and Russia.

His areas of expertise are history, comparative analysis, constitutional law, decision making process, security policy, energy policy, international relations.

Happily married, together with wife Tetiana bringing up son and daughter.

Expert latest

Pauselijke diplomatie: waarom Oekraïne kwaad is op Franciscus

Petro Burkovskiy explains why Ukrainians consider the Pope's statements about the greatness of Russia offensive to them
8 September 2023

How Russia is being patched up after Prigozhin’s revolt. Overview of the Russian media space in July 2023. Part 1

Petro Burkovskiy
24 August 2023

"Meet the daddy, bit**es!" Overview of the Russian media space for June 2023. Part 2

Petro Burkovskiy
11 August 2023

"Third World War is coming." Overview of the Russian media space in June 2023. Part 1

Petro Burkovskiy
8 August 2023

Ukrainian president warns 'war is returning to Russia'

Petro Burkovskiy of the Democratic Initiatives Foundation comments on the strikes on Russian territory for TRT World
31 July 2023

Failure of the grain deal proves that Putin does not intend to stop the war

Petro Burkovskiy explained whether Russia is ready for peace talks in a commentary to the Arabic TV channel Al-Jazeera
30 July 2023

By the end of autumn Ukraine plans to break land bridge between Crimea and Russia. It will be a beginning of strategic isolation of Crimea and invitation to Chinese diplomacy to persuade Russia to stop the war

18 July 2023

Petro Burkovskyi: Decoding Prigozhin’s rebellion

Wagner’s mutiny showed minimal requirements for a successful challenger of Putin’s regime and created strong argument in support of Ukraine’...
26 June 2023

"The cemetery is a memorial for future generations." Review of the Russian media and military propaganda in May 2023. Part 1

The "atrocities" of the Ukrainian troops, the "victories" of the "Wagnerians" and the encouragement of schoolchildren to serve in the army
8 June 2023

Burkovskyi, Tarasiuk: Do Russian anti-Kremlin insurgents pose a real threat to Putin’s regime?

The Kremlin’s push for a “long war” against Ukraine may have a snowball effect on domestic insurgency within Russia.
6 June 2023