Episode 46: A Side Few Will Tell – Johnny Miller’s Perspective on Ukraine

The war in Ukraine has dominated headlines for nearly two years, yet much of what we hear comes from a single narrative—the U.S. government, mainstream media, and Western institutions. But what if there’s another side to the story? In this episode of Elevated Thoughts, we sat down with Johnny Miller, an independent journalist who has spent more time in Russian-controlled Ukraine than almost any other Western reporter.   

With firsthand experience on the ground in Donbas, Crimea, and now Moscow, Johnny has witnessed what mainstream outlets won’t cover—the devastation, shifting allegiances, and a Ukrainian counteroffensive that defied reality. His insights challenge the West’s portrayal of the war, shedding light on the complicated nature of this conflict and the dangerous consequences of a one-sided narrative.

The Forgotten Side of Ukraine’s War

Johnny Miller doesn’t hold back. From the moment we started the conversation, he made it clear: the war in Ukraine didn’t begin in 2022—it started in 2014 with the Maidan Revolution. He described how, after Ukrainian nationalists took power with Western support, Russian-speaking populations in the East faced suppression, fueling separatist movements in Donbass.

According to Johnny, most people in these regions have long identified as Russian and have suffered years of Ukrainian shelling—a reality almost never discussed in Western media. "When you bomb people, they become quite angry," he explained. "Many of them no longer see themselves as Ukrainian. They see Russia as their home."

The suppression of Russian language and culture in Ukraine, coupled with years of civil conflict, set the stage for what eventually became a full-scale war. In his view, a peace deal was always possible, but Western intervention fueled the fire instead of putting it out.

The Ukrainian Counteroffensive: A Disaster Waiting to Happen

One of the most revealing parts of our discussion was Johnny’s take on the 2023 Ukrainian counteroffensive, which was hyped by Western media as a turning point in the war. We all remember the headlines—Ukraine was going to push Russia back, reclaim occupied territories, and force Putin to the negotiating table. But according to Johnny, this was pure fantasy.

"I was in Donetsk when the counteroffensive was being planned, and I was just shaking my head," he said. "NATO military officials kept saying it was going to work, but the reality on the ground was completely different. Russia had spent months fortifying defensive positions, and Ukrainian forces were walking into a slaughter."

The result? Massive Ukrainian casualties, negligible territorial gains, and a shattered illusion of victory. This, he argues, should have been the moment the West changed its strategy, but instead, the rhetoric of “Ukraine must win” persisted—even as the reality on the ground told a different story.

Russia’s Perspective & the Path to Peace

Living in Moscow, Johnny has a perspective most Western journalists don’t. He described how, despite the war, life in Russia feels almost normal. "The economy is stable, people go about their lives, and despite losing soldiers, there’s no sense of desperation."

He also pushed back against the narrative that Russia seeks to expand beyond Ukraine. “Russia doesn’t want to ‘take over Europe.’ That’s absurd. They want security guarantees, control over regions that are already pro-Russian, and an end to Western-backed threats on their border."

So what’s next? Johnny believes a Trump presidency offers the best hope for peace. "Trump is the only realist left. If he wins, there’s a real chance for negotiations. If not, this war could drag on for years."

Final Thoughts

Johnny Miller’s reporting offers a rare counter-narrative to the Ukraine conflict, one that mainstream media is unwilling to explore. Whether you agree with him or not, his on-the-ground experience in Russian-controlled Ukraine is invaluable for anyone seeking the full picture of this war.

For those who want to follow his work, Johnny is active on X (Twitter) and Telegram, where he continues to challenge the mainstream narrative with firsthand reporting.

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And as always, stay tuned to Elevated Thoughts—because the truth is never as simple as the headlines make it seem.