Ukraine: The Latest

Day 1,675.

Today, after more deadly daytime raids strike Kyiv – with people climbing out the windows of burning buildings – we hear how Poland is changing its rules of engagement regarding drones entering its airspace as the number of incursions continue to rise across Europe. Then we do a deep dive into the future of modern warfare and defence procurement following a new long read by the former Secretary of the US Army and The Telegraph’s exclusive interview with Ukraine’s Drone Chief, Robert ‘Magyar’ Brovdi.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Antonia Langford (Freelance Journalist in Kyiv). @Antonialford on X

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest

CONTENT REFERENCED:

RAND paper: Tomorrow's Victory and the Army of the Future: Forecasting the Next Steps in Ukraine's Military Evolution

https://www.rand.org/pubs/commentary/2026/09/tomorrows-victory-and-the-army-of-the-future.html?project=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=1789510664&utm_medium=rand_social&utm_source=twitter

Russia attacks scientists in strikes on Kyiv (Antonia Langford for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/28/russia-attacks-scientists-kyiv-national-academy-fire/

Rewiring the Arsenal of Democracy (Dan Driscoll for Foreign Affairs)

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/rewiring-arsenal-democracy-war-dan-driscoll

Frontline Club Event with the Kyiv Independent on 1st October (Francis Dearnley moderating):

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/panel-discussion-ukraine-inside-their-war-tickets-2000033706656?aff=oddtdtcreator

The Kyiv Independent Live in London on 2 October:

https://tickets.kyivindependent.com/events/thekyivindependentlive/2281999/r/frontline

David Knowles’s episode dedicated to Babyn Yar:

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/gas-shortages-finally-hit-moscow-as-kyiv-intensifies/id1612424182?i=1000728581605

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,674.

Today, as Russia’s manufactured humanitarian catastrophe in the occupied town of Oleshky attracts global attention, amid reports civilians are now resorting to eating grass and weeds, the Council of Europe shows the United Nations how to respond. Victor Orban’s year gets even worse, and look who’s back! Mykhailo Fedorov launches his Army of Robots. Later, we have an exclusive interview with the head of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces and pioneer of modern warfare: Robert Brovdi, callsign ‘Magyar’, during which he says he’s supremely relaxed about the prospect of another possible Russian mobilisation, saying, "we are ready to welcome these limitless portions of stewed meat”.

Contributors:

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Antonia Langford (Freelance Journalist in Kyiv). @Antonialford on X.

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

For the Brovdi interview:

Additional reporting: Kateryna Hatsenko and Oleksiy Muzchyna

Videographer: Edward Matthews

Editor: Josh Bourne

Translation: Natalia Makohon

Producer: Jack Leather

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest

CONTENT REFERENCED:

‘We will turn Putin’s new foot soldiers into stewed meat’ (full written interview with Robert Brovdi, by Antonia Langford for The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/28/we-will-turn-putins-new-foot-soldiers-into-stewed-meat/

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,671.

Today, as the UN General Assembly in New York winds down, secretary-general Antonio Guterres was all smiles and handshakes for Russia’s foreign minister. Ukraine lets Donald Trump know quite how seriously they take his warnings these days by attacking at least two more oil refineries inside Russia. Meanwhile, the Kremlin shows how seriously it is pursuing peace by dropping high explosive on a medical centre, farm workers and a 14 year old boy. And Britain quietly announces it is cutting the money used to support Ukrainian families that have fled the bloodshed. And later, a dispatch from Francis’s recent trip to Germany where he toured the Ukraine Museum in Berlin.

Contributors:

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

With thanks to Enno Lenze, Berlin Ukraine Museum curator.

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Russian attacks on Kyiv kill 5, including 14-year-old boy, injure 39 as drone strikes continue into daytime (Kyiv Independent)

https://kyivindependent.com/russian-overnight-attack-on-kyiv-sets-fires-damages-buildings/

Ukrainians in UK fear homelessness over host scheme funding cuts (The Guardian)

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/sep/24/uk-homes-for-ukraine-funding-cut-homeless

Le Pen welcomes Trump’s G20 invite for Putin (Politico)

https://www.politico.eu/article/le-pen-welcomes-putins-g20-invite/

Le Pen says she won’t leave NATO until Russia’s war in Ukraine ends (Politico)

https://www.politico.eu/article/marine-le-pen-says-she-wont-leave-nato-until-russias-war-in-ukraine-ends/

Hungary's "punishment" for Ukraine: how Magyar aims to humiliate Kyiv and block its EU future (Sergiy Sydorenko for European Pravda)

https://www.eurointegration.com.ua/eng/articles/2026/09/18/7245792/

Learn more about the Ukraine Museum in Berlin:

https://www.berlinstory.de/ukraine-museum/

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,670.

Today, Washington’s top diplomat says he has invited Vladimir Putin to the G20 summit in Miami later this year, even as Moscow continues its brutal assault on Ukrainian civilians – including on a maternity hospital in the capital overnight. Meanwhile, a fire at a Starlink satellite station in Poland was a deliberate act of sabotage, according to Warsaw, as Denmark warns of the rising threat from Russia. We’ll have the latest from the diplomatic wrangling at the UN general assembly, including President Zelensky’s attack on the EU for dropping some Russian sanctions. And later, we turn to your questions.

Contributors:

Roland Oliphant (Senior Foreign Analyst). @RolandOliphant on X.

Alex Nichol (Telegraph Journalist).

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Tom Steed

Social Producer: Natalia Makohon

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Listen to Roland speak to Iona Cleave at the UN General Assembly on Iran: The Latest

On Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/iran-threatens-to-expand-war-to-indian-ocean-and/id1712903296?i=1000791501834

On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3yi1uXRLDDLXb3D705zHWa?si=3f73adaea823441a

On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmYw4lHgBK4&list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dk&index=1

Russian losses in the war with Ukraine. Mediazona count, updated (BBC Russia Service and Mediazona)

https://en.zona.media/article/2026/09/21/casualties_eng-trl

La CIA alerta de un ataque ruso con drones contra España, Francia o Italia (‘CIA warning about Russian drones strikes against Spain, France and Italy’, El Mundo)

https://www.elmundo.es/internacional/2026/09/23/6ab411e9fdddff35028b4598.html

Alex’s interview with Grigory Sverdlin, founder of Get Lost

On Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/ukraine-the-latest/id1612424182?i=1000790063760

On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6cnkk1J0I1UqtxTYVUL4Fe?si=a2c72a1d799a4e47

On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcV10QYYU9Y

Join our Community page on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest/community

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,669.

Today, the Red Cross says 275,000 people have been registered as missing in connection with Russia’s war against Ukraine. We return to the United Nations in New York, where Presidents Trump and Zelensky met to discuss an energy truce and bringing the war to an end, as UK prime minister Andy Burnham offered his support. Then, we hear the perspectives of some soldiers on the frontlines, and why some long for the days of trench warfare, from reporter Colin Freeman who recently returned from Ukraine.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Colin Freeman (Freelance reporter). @colinfreeman99 on X.

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest

CONTENT REFERENCED:

David Knowles Fundraiser for KHARPP:

https://www.zeffy.com/en-GB/donation-form/fundraiser-for-kharpp-in-memory-of-david-knowles

Frontline Club Event with the Kyiv Independent on 1st October (Francis Dearnley moderating):

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/panel-discussion-ukraine-inside-their-war-tickets-2000033706656?aff=oddtdtcreator

The Kyiv Independent Live in London on 2 October:

https://tickets.kyivindependent.com/events/thekyivindependentlive/2281999/r/frontline

Colin Freeman's Book on the International Legion:

https://amzn.eu/d/0cqiSDDD

Ukraine open to grain truce with Russia, deputy PM says (Politico)

https://www.politico.eu/article/ukraine-open-to-grain-truce-with-russia-deputy-pm-vsevolod-chentsov-says/

Ukraine veterans yearn for return to trench warfare (Colin Freeman for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/21/ukraine-veterans-yearn-for-days-of-meat-wave-war/

Dom’s interview with Valerie Stobbart, mother of Nathan Stobbart who went missing while fighting for Russia:

On Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/ukraine-the-latest/id1612424182?i=1000789807562

On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/34xFLINgowRYMKp3AJ9BmX?si=479d9d97182b4251

On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53m2ZP3xm6A

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,668.

Today, Russia wakes up to two new hits on refineries as Volodymyr Zelensky is set to meet Donald Trump on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. The two leaders are expected to talk about a potential pause on energy strikes between Ukraine and Russia. Then we discuss the latest and largest sanctions package from the EU, currently at a stalemate, and the new spat between Hungary and Ukraine.

Contributors:

Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.

Alex Nichol (Telegraph Journalist).

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Almost unbelievably, the US is planning to pull large numbers of troops out of Europe (Hamish de Bretton-Gordon for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/09/21/us-troop-pullout-europe-putin-nato-war-ukraine/

Visits by foreign partners are indeed Kyiv’s fine air defense (INFOGRAPHIC)

https://texty.org.ua/articles/118329/visits-by-foreign-partners-are-indeed-kyivs-fine-air-defense-infographic/

Kremlin-backed forgery scheme moved $6.9bn through global banks (The Financial Times)

https://www.ft.com/content/3848a4ad-1426-4352-ba86-ef1279c4ffd1?syn-25a6b1a6=1

Adélie’s interview with Alexander Browder on how cryptocurrency is financing Russia’s war (from 27:08):

youtube.com/watch?v=r8TQnqmuUMI&feature=youtu.be

The Ukrainian Book Institute appeal to support Ukrainian publishers, following the summer strikes on book markets and warehouses:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Mn7HUU_nH3AnZn66zjrdv88Fr12lt1x_/view

Adélie’s interview with Hugh Roberts on translating and publishing Ukrainian War Poetry (from 13:07):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AXCoKZkXMI&feature=youtu.be

Hemingway Knows Nothing, Artur Dron’s latest book:

https://www.jantarpublishing.com/product-page/hemingway-knows-nothing

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,667.

Today, as Donald Trump says Russia has lost control of its ‘diesel oil industry’ after Moscow suffers the largest air raid in its history, early results from the Russian parliamentary elections show a not very shocking landslide for Putin’s United Russia party. Dom digests the numbers with Russia analyst James Kilner. Ukraine forces Russia to close its beaches and gives more detail about how it has brought surprise back to the battlefield, including by using air drones to drop ground drones behind enemy lines. Plus, there are reports Ukrainian troops have reentered Luhansk oblast, meaning Putin no longer has 100% control of any of the four oblasts he says he’s annexed.

Contributors:

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

James Kilner (Russia Analyst). @Jkjourno on X.

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Luxembourg launches investigation after drones temporarily suspend flight operations (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/world/flights-resume-luxembourg-airport-after-temporary-shutdown-over-drone-activity-2026-09-19/

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

Thumbnail image credit: @bayraktar_1love/X

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,664.

Today, as Russians start to vote in parliamentary elections for which the only thing transparent is the voting booth, Canada considers taking associate membership of the EU. 50,000 North Korean soldiers could be training in Russia and Ukraine gets bored of finding new targets so hits the same Russian airbase for the second night running. Later, Dr Jade McGlynn of King’s College London on what we know so far about Russia’s so-called elections, as voting begins in a contest all but guaranteed to fall in favour of Vladimir Putin and his United Russia party.

Contributors:

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.

Jade McGlynn (Research fellow, King’s College London). @DrJadeMcGlynn on X.

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Lucy Hadlow

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Putin will win Russia’s sham election. Europe is terrified of what comes next (Adrian Blomfield for the Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/18/putin-will-win-sham-election-what-happens-next-terrifies-eu/ 

En Ukraine, les habitants des territoires occupés votent sous la menace aux élections législatives russes (Le Monde)

https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2026/09/18/en-ukraine-les-habitants-des-territoires-occupes-votent-sous-la-menace-aux-elections-legislatives-russes_6776706_3210.html

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,663.

Today, we hear reaction to the US Congress approving a bipartisan bill which could see significant sanctions against Russia enshrined into US law, with the potential of 100% tariffs against countries purchasing energy from Moscow. Then we bring you reports of airspace being closed over Poland, and the latest developments of the Ukrainian counteroffensive around Lyman. Later, Francis speaks to one of the UN team documenting Russian forces’ appalling sexual violence against Ukrainians, and leading the push for accountability for these war crimes.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Sophie O’Sullivan (Telegraph Journalist).

With thanks to Commissioner Vrinda Grover of the UN’s Ukraine Commission of Inquiry.

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

The Graham sanctions act is a chance to punish Putin. Here’s what the White House should do next. (Daniel Fried for the Atlantic Council)

https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/dispatches/the-graham-sanctions-act-is-a-chance-to-punish-putin-heres-what-the-white-house-should-do-next/ 

Russians Prepare to Vote in Parliamentary Elections With Little Hope for Change (New York Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/europe/100000011153874/russia-parliamentary-elections.html 

Summary factsheet of UN Ukraine Inquiry’s main findings on sexual violence:

https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/hrbodies/hrcouncil/coiukraine/iicoiu-sgbv-may2026-en.pdf  

Call for submissions by the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine:

https://www.ohchr.org/en/hr-bodies/hrc/iicihr-ukraine/call-for-submission 

Papers featuring testimony of sexual violence in war:

August ‘23 – https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/2023-08/A_HRC_52_CRP.4_En%20%28003%29.pdf

March ‘24 – https://undocs.org/en/A/HRC/55/66 

October ‘24 – https://docs.un.org/en/A/79/549 

March ‘25 – https://docs.un.org/en/A/HRC/58/67 

Germany to send fighter jets to Latvia during election amid drone threat (Politico)

https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-to-send-fighter-jets-to-latvia-during-election-amid-drone-threat/

Russia stages early voting in occupied Ukraine ahead of national election (Euronews)

https://www.euronews.com/video/2026/09/15/russia-stages-early-voting-in-occupied-ukraine-ahead-of-national-election

Putin weaponizing migration to destabilize Europe, Kyiv says (Kyiv Independent)

https://kyivindependent.com/putin-weaponizing-migration-to-destabilize-europe-kyiv-says/

Global hunger is a threat to Britain’s national security, report says (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/climate-and-people/global-hunger-is-a-threat-to-britains-national-security/

Russia plans new prison complex in occupied Kherson Oblast among wider prison expansion (Kyiv Independent)

https://kyivindependent.com/russia-plans-new-prison-complex-in-occupied-kherson-oblast-among-wider-prison-expansion/

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,662.

Today, the EU announces a ‘counter-hybrid playbook’ and its own version of NATO’s Article 4 after the worrying increase of hybrid incidents and attacks on Europe. The US indicts four Russian intelligence agents preparing acts of terrorism and assassinations across Europe and the US. Meanwhile, American lawmakers are set to vote on Lindsey Graham’s Russian sanctions bill and President Zelensky claims that Moscow intentionally attacked Moldova. Later, Alex Nichol meets the activist risking everything to smuggle military deserters out of Russia.

Contributors:

Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.

Alex Nichol (Telegraph Journalist).

With thanks to Grigory Sverdlin, Russian activist and founder of the Get Lost project.

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Get Lost organisation website

https://iditelesom.org/en

Grigory Sverdlin’s book, Warming Point: How I Did Charity Work in Russia and Became an Enemy of the State (in Russian)

https://magaz.global/product/grigorii-sverdlin-punkt-obogreva

Ukraine's Zelenskyy tells CBS News Russia tried to attack his plane with drones twice in recent weeks (CBS)

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ukraine-russia-war-zelenskyy-cbs-interview-drones-targeted-plane-twice/

Why Zelenskyy says there’s no ‘win-win’ with Russia | Canadian exclusive (CBC)

https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.7344745

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,661.

Today, the Danish Prime Minister condemns the latest ‘reckless action’ by Moscow, after a Russian frigate in the Baltic Sea fired flares at a military helicopter. NATO jets were also in action last night, shooting down a drone over Lithuania. The Ukrainian commander who masterminded the recent counterattack in the Donbas region gives a little more detail about what happened. And in news that will surprise almost no one, Donald Trump’s claim to have got a deal over the line between Kyiv and Moscow about a ceasefire on energy facilities has, just like Russia’s Syzran oil facility last night, gone up in smoke. Later, Dom speaks to the mother of a man missing on the frontline after being forced to fight for Russia.

Contributors: 

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

With thanks to Valerie Stobbart.

Producer: Phil Atkins

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

My son moved to Russia for love. Now, he’s missing on the front line (Dom Nicholls and Natalia Makohon for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/15/my-son-moved-russia-love-missing-front-line/ 

Civil servant sacked after asking Telegraph to find son missing in Ukraine (Dom Nicholls for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/15/civil-servant-sacked-telegraph-appeal-son-missing-ukraine/ 

Russian frigate fires flares at Danish military helicopter (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/15/nato-italy-jets-shoot-down-drone-lithuania/ 

Zelensky sanctions press secretary who accused him of using drugs (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/14/volodymyr-zelensky-press-secretary-drugs-ukraine-russia/ 

Putin’s plan to paralyse Ukraine (Antonia Langford for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/15/putins-plan-paralyse-ukraine/ 

Donald Trump Jr.’s Bahamas Wedding Was Secretly Bankrolled by Russian Oligarch Close to Putin (ProPublica)

https://www.propublica.org/article/donald-trump-jr-wedding-bankrolled-russian-oligarch-umar-kremlev-putin 

Jared Kushner’s Dollar Diplomacy (New Yorker)

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2026/09/21/jared-kushners-dollar-diplomacy 

Learn more about the Ukrainian Film Festival in London:

https://uil.org.uk/ukrainian-film-festival-2025-through-love-and-loss-2/

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,660.

Today, after Russia strikes a train near the Ukrainian border with Poland, narrowly missing top European officials including Boris Johnson, we consider whether the attack was deliberate. The officials were attending a major gathering in Kyiv seeking to forge a new way forward – we’ll bring you the highlights. Then we try to get to the bottom of what some are calling ‘Ukraine’s biggest victory this year’ – the reported counterattack around Lyman liberating almost 200 square kilometers of territory. If confirmed, it seemingly exposed lying Russian commanders, Ukrainian formidable operational security, and expectations in the ground war over the coming months.

Contributors: 

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Memphis Barker (senior foreign correspondent). @memphisbarker on X.

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk

World’s First Naval Drone Duel Results In Ukrainian Success (Naval News)

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2026/09/worlds-first-naval-drone-duel-results-in-ukrainian-success/

Germany floats new Ukraine loan backed by frozen Russian assets (Politico)

https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-ukraine-loan-frozen-russia-assets/ 

EU fails to agree Russia sanctions rollover with one day to spare (Politico)

https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-fails-to-agree-russia-sanctions-rollover-with-one-day-to-spare/ 

Germany Aims to Prevent Far Right From Accessing Secret War Plan (Bloomberg)

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-09-10/germany-aims-to-prevent-far-right-from-accessing-secret-war-plan 

House to take up Russia sanctions bill next week (The Hill)

https://thehill.com/homenews/6084914-house-russia-sanctions-vote/  

Francis’s interview with Ambassador Daniel Fried:

On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUjC_O7ZpeE 

On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2RGt2H2Ww2a44wXP16XBkm  

On Apple:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/putin-will-exhaust-russias-capacity-by-2028-ukrainian/id1612424182?i=1000789061444 

Ukraine’s biggest victory this year exposes lying Russian commanders (Memphis Barker for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/12/lying-russian-commanders-ukraines-biggest-victory-putin/ 

Watch Mephis’s video on the Lyman counterattack: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56b-9FOC-58&pp=ygUJdGVsZWdyYXBo 

Berlin-Hacker stellten geheime Drohnen-Akten ins Netz! (‘Berlin hackers put secret drone files online!’: Bild)

https://www.bild.de/politik/inland/berlin-leak-geheimakten-ueber-drohnengefahr-am-ber-6aa3ebb40f417ae59102eab3

Russia Is Churning Out Smart, Cheap New Weapons Faster Than Ukraine or the U.S. (Wall Street Journal)

https://www.wsj.com/world/russia-is-churning-out-smart-cheap-new-weapons-faster-than-ukraine-or-the-u-s-c817d014

Ukraine’s way of fighting war can’t match what’s coming (Eric Schmidt for the Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/09/09/how-russia-is-erasing-ukraines-battlefield-advantage/ 

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,657.

Today, on the anniversary of 9/11, a British intelligence chief has warned that the world is more dangerous today than in 2001. Then we report on the latest attacks, including in Kyiv and on an Ozon warehouse in Russia’s Saratov region, and get insights from Western officials about the true state of Russian casualty figures and the strategic picture of the war. Then, Francis speaks to Ambassador Daniel Fried, the former US diplomat who played a key role in American policy in Europe after the fall of the Soviet Union.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

With thanks for Ambassador Daniel Fried, former US diplomat and Weiser Family Distinguished Fellow at the Atlantic Council.

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: James England

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk

MI5 chief: Britain faces greater danger now than on 9/11 (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/09/11/mi5-chief-britain-911-danger-islamic-extremism-terrorism/ 

Ukrainian drones hit oil refinery, Ozon warehouse as Russia's Saratov comes under attack (Kyiv Independent)

https://kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-drones-reportedly-strike-saratov-oil-refinery-ozon-warehouse/ 

Ukraine spy chief: Putin will exhaust Russia’s capacity by 2028 (The Times)

https://www.thetimes.com/article/db2f0938-04d9-4f84-ba19-093979453bce

The seeds of the next 9/11 are being sown in West Africa (Rozina Sabur and Ben Farmer for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/11/the-seeds-of-the-next-911-are-being-sown-in-west-africa/ 

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,656.

Today, there are reports President Zelensky’s plane taking him to Norway yesterday may have been the target of the Russian drone that crashed in Moldova. Then, Ukraine is ensuring the war is brought home to previously untouched parts of Russia, as its latest long range drone strike hit Siberia, 3000km inside the country. Kyiv claims it was the longest drone strike in history. Meanwhile, Putin’s folly means his country has now passed the grim milestone of killing or wounding one percent of its entire population and there are question marks over the future diplomatic role for Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. And later, Dom and Alex dive into the postbag to answer your questions.

Contributors:

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Alex Nichol (Telegraph Journalist).

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Tom Steed

Social Producer: Anita Blay

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk

US spy chief prepares for greater role in Russia-Ukraine talks (Financial Times)

https://www.ft.com/content/d0557d25-78b5-45d8-bb33-d655e859d803?syn-25a6b1a6=1

Rethinking Ukraine’s Manpower Challenge (Carnegie Endowment)

https://carnegieendowment.org/research/2026/03/ukraine-military-russia-war-manpower-recruitment

The Orient Express: North Korea’s Clandestine Supply Route to Russia (Royal United Services Institute)

https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publ–ications/commentary/report-orient-express-north-koreas-clandestine-supply-route-russia

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

Thumbnail image credit: NOEL Reports

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,655.

Today, no word from Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner about Putin’s so-called drive for peace as Russia resumes aerial attacks on Ukraine and hits Moldova…twice: first at a border crossing point, with dead and injured reported there, and then by a Russian drone that flew in via Romania. To further baffle those who believed Moscow’s line that the Kremlin poses no aggressive plans toward Europe, Romania has arrested a Russian spy and Hungary has kicked out Russian diplomats. Meanwhile, Donald Trump has spoken to Vladimir Putin for an “objective and thorough” overview of the situation in Ukraine. And later, we get the latest on the Russian economy via the cucumber index.

Contributors:

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

James Kilner (Russia Analyst). @Jkjourno on X.

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Disabled Russians ‘unfit to serve’ – but Putin wants them to enlist (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/07/putin-wants-severely-disabled-russians-to-enlist/

David’s Obituary from 2024:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/09/09/david-knowles-journalist-telegraph-dies-ukraine-war-podcast/ 

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,654.

Today, we once again see the extent of Putin’s definition of “peace”, claiming there are renewed opportunities for dialogue, then resuming strikes on Ukraine just hours after America’s envoys leave the country. We go to our correspondent in Kyiv to hear about the damage there, before turning to the diplomatic fallout from the weekend, as both sides seek to gain an advantage from renewed US engagement. And then, two years on from his passing, we remember the creator of this podcast, David Knowles, with excerpts from some of our very first episodes, memories of how the podcast began, and hearing about the impact of last year’s fundraiser in his memory.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Antonia Langford (Freelance Journalist in Kyiv). @Antonialford on X

With thanks to Ada Wordsworth, co-founder and director of KHARPP.

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: James England

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Fundraiser in memory of David Knowles for Ada’s Charity ‘KHARPP’:

https://www.zeffy.com/en-GB/donation-form/fundraiser-for-kharpp-in-memory-of-david-knowles 

Order KHARPP’s Anthology on Housing: https://www.kharpp.com/housing-and-the-home-in-ukraine 

David’s Obituary from 2024:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/09/09/david-knowles-journalist-telegraph-dies-ukraine-war-podcast/ 

‘Messages: Choral Anthems of Life & Love’ (Chapel Choir of University College, Durham) –  

Order: https://conviviumrecords.co.uk/product/messages/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/6pcIaMlZ48EQhcmkebraKp?si=97790066ef29442b

Zelensky to Axios: U.S. exploring Russia-Ukraine winter de-escalation steps

https://www.axios.com/2026/09/07/zelensky-ukraine-russia-war-witkoff-kushner-putin-trump 

Ukraine chief prosecutor resigns over safe stuffed with $100 bills (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/08/ukraine-chief-prosecutor-resigns-over-safe-stuffed-dollars/ 

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,653.

Today, after Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner finally set foot in Ukraine on a whirlwind weekend diplomatic tour of Kyiv and Moscow we ask: subjected to Ukrainian and press scrutiny for the first time, has their diplomatic adventure run out of road? We report on the Ukrainian delegation’s top t-shirt tyrant trolling and assess how well Trump’s envoys did. And later, we go to Germany where the hard-Right Alternative for Germany party says they have “made history” after their largest-ever election victory. What could their win mean for defence and Ukraine policy in the country?

Contributors:

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

James Rothwell (Berlin Correspondent). @JamesERothwell on X.

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: James England

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

James Rothwell’s documentary on the AfD:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=OjxWBooeTb5O6Tij&v=jhZokdghR-M&feature=youtu.be 

Trump envoys thank Putin for ‘incredible memories’ in Moscow (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/05/putin-pauses-strikes-on-kyiv-for-witkoff-and-kushner-talks/ 

China secretly supplied Russia with components for killer drones (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/06/china-secretly-supplied-russia-components-killer-drones/ 

Anti-migrant AfD hails history-making election win (James Rothwell for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/06/pro-russian-afd-overwhelming-election-victory-east-germany/ 

The ‘most dangerous man in Germany’ behind AfD victory (Jörg Luyken and James Rothwell for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/07/the-most-dangerous-man-in-germany-behind-afd-victory/ 

Merz’s secret plan to stop German ‘traitor states’ blocking Nato troops (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/30/merz-plan-to-prevent-putin-friendly-afd-state-blocking-nato/ 

Merz’s secret plan to stop German ‘traitor states’ blocking Nato troops (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/07/the-most-dangerous-man-in-germany-behind-afd-victory/ 

Trump envoys hold talks with Zelenskyy in Kyiv after meeting Putin in Moscow (Financial Times)

https://www.ft.com/content/1e2d9db0-cb2c-4c79-942b-f0aff960e4c5?syn-25a6b1a6=1 

China secretly supplied Russia with components for killer drones (Graham Lanktree and Sophia Yan for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/06/china-secretly-supplied-russia-components-killer-drones/ 

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,650.

As Russia’s almost ceaseless bombardment of Ukraine continues, we report breaking news of a drone striking the headquarters of Ukraine's Security Service for the first time. Then we

hear of yet another assassination of a Russian general, believed to have ordered one of the war’s most notorious air strikes, plus more energy infrastructure strikes by Kyiv. Next, we turn to rumours that Donald Trump’s envoys Witkoff and Kushner could visit Ukraine in the coming days, before returning to the explosions that destroyed Moscow’s most powerful geopolitical tool in Europe. What do we know now that we didn’t know then about the Nord Stream blast?

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Sophie O’Sullivan (Telegraph Journalist).

With thanks to Bojan Pancevski, chief European political correspondent for the Wall Street Journal and author of The Nord Stream Conspiracy: The Inside Story of the Explosions That Shook the World.

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk

Exclusive interview with Petr Pavel at NATO:

On YouTube: https://youtu.be/9Vw290vlifU?si=IX7-qlsHJkakv2IX&t=1974

On Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/ukraine-the-latest/id1612424182?i=1000776015561

On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4ulg9DLpc21t0YQDNJTrcD?si=df375c08c49d4e9c

‘The Nord Stream Conspiracy: The Inside Story of the Explosions That Shook The World’ by Bojan Pancevski:

https://www.penguin.co.uk/authors/318458/bojan-pancevski

Russian general who ‘ordered attack on children’s hospital’ shot in head (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/03/russian-general-attack-childrens-hospital-shot-ukraine/ 

Russia to shut Goethe-Institut branches in response to Germany closing Russian House (Kyiv Independent)

https://kyivindependent.com/russia-to-shut-goethe-institut-branches-in-response-to-germany-closing-russian-house/?mc_cid=264a931cdb&mc_eid=08d0680a95

Estonia’s defence minister resigns over £60m Ukraine weapons scandal (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/03/estonian-minister-resigns-over-60m-ukraine-weapons-scandal/ 

Britain summons top Russian diplomat over Leipzig drone attack (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/09/03/britain-summons-russian-diplomat-leipzig-drone-germaby/ 

Germany announces $290 million aid package to repair Ukrainian energy infrastructure before winter (Kyiv Independent)

https://kyivindependent.com/germany-announces-290-million-aid-package-to-repair-ukrainian-energy-infrastructure-before-winter/?mc_cid=264a931cdb&mc_eid=08d0680a95

Lloyd’s of London loses £1.4bn on Iran war (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2026/09/03/lloyds-of-london-loses-14bn-on-iran-war   

Exclusive: Trump envoys' first Kyiv trip thrown into doubt after Witkoff 'gets scared' (Kyiv Independent)

https://kyivindependent.com/trump-envoys-witkoff-kushner-to-visit-kyiv-moscow-sept-5-6-source-says/  

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,649

Today, as every scheduled flight this afternoon from two of Moscow’s major airports are delayed or cancelled, Ukraine seeks international approval for all flights in Russian airspace to be grounded. Marco Rubio confirms talks with Ukraine about Patriot licenses are ongoing, just as NATO reveals it’s been secretly testing Israeli ballistic missiles on German frigates. Plus, there was a suspected arson attack on an arms factory in Germany last night, just hours before Denmark's intelligence agency warned Russia is 'actively' preparing acts of sabotage. Later, Dom and Francis respond to some of your questions and comments.

Contributors:

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Producer: Phil Atkins

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Anita Blay

Studio Director: Chris January

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Trump Puts Tariffs of Up to 100% on Foreign-Made Drones (New York Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/03/business/trump-drone-tariffs.html

Listen to the full interview with Steve Tsang on Iran: The Latest: 

On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVpEYQ7gt7w

On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6wSMWBbBVwyZUZtWEsqM7z?si=dk9U33ICQAuz1DCDejPlNA

On Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/us-strikes-irgc-bases-what-the-iran-war-means-for/id1712903296?i=1000787439196

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

Thumbnail image credit: Moscow Times

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,648.

Today, the market is already reacting to President Zelensky’s warning last night that Russian airspace is now "completely unsafe” thanks to Ukrainian drones, with some flights cancelled. We report August’s statistics from the ground in Ukraine, which don’t end well for Putin, or the over 40,000 soldiers who became casualty statistics of their own. We assess the reaction to Nato member Germany officially naming Russia as the perpetrator of the Leipzig-Halle drone attack and we look at the support Russia is said to be giving to Iran; a direct threat to the United States. Later, we hear from journalist Annie Jacobsen on her new book detailing how biological warfare could break out entirely by accident.

Contributors: 

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Alex Nichol (Telegraph Journalist).

Sophie O’Sullivan (Telegraph Journalist).

With thanks to Annia Jacobsen, author of Biological War: A Scenario.

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Anita Blay

Studio Director: James England

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Drone-Led Ukrainian Offensive Retakes Ground in Critical Eastern Front Sector (Kyiv Post)

Russia secretly helping Iran develop supersonic cruise missiles (Financial Times)

'The Anarchist Cookbook on steroids': How AI is supercharging bioweapons– Battle Lines: Global Health Security 

For more from Annie Jacobsen or to purchase her book, visit her website

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,648.

Today, we hear the latest from the capital as Ukraine suffers one of the deadliest waves of raids of the entire war, with new jet-powered drones wreaking havoc. How will Kyiv and its allies respond? Then, we have exclusive remarks from the head of Estonia’s intelligence service on the likelihood of a large-scale Russian mobilisation – and threats to Putin – as well as an update on what Kyiv’s former Defence Minister Fedorov is up to in Italy.

Contributors: 

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Sophia O’Sullivan (Telegraph journalist).

Antonia Langford (Freelance Journalist in Kyiv). @Antonialford on X

Producer: Phil Atkins

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Putin’s bombs destroy millions of school books before new term (Antonia Langford for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/31/ukraine-russia-putin-kyiv-missiles/ 

Russia’s new missiles make Ukraine’s ports a no-go zone (Antonia Langford for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/29/russia-cheap-fast-missiles-cut-ukraine-sea/ 

Estonia’s spy chief: ‘Russia is in a very bad place – revolution could come overnight’ (David Blair for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/08/29/kaupo-rosin-interview-russia-bad-place-revolution/ 

Wie Putin den Krieg eskalieren kann. Mit Alexander Stubb (Ronzheimer interview with Alexander Stubb, in German)

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/wie-putin-den-krieg-eskalieren-kann-mit-alexander-stubb/id1700432142?i=1000786893585

Ousted Ukrainian defense chief Fedorov takes advisory role with Italy (Politico)

https://www.politico.eu/article/mykhailo-fedorov-adviser-italy-defense-minister-guido-crosetto/

Kremlin Says Ukraine Peace Talks on ‘Deep Pause’ (Moscow Times)

https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/28/kremlin-says-ukraine-peace-talks-on-deep-pause-a93597

Exclusive: Musk opposes allowing Ukraine to use Starlink for strikes on Russia, despite recent media reports, sources say (Kyiv Independent)

https://kyivindependent.com/musk-opposes-allowing-ukraine-to-use-starlink-for-strikes-on-russia-despite-recent-media-reports-sources-say/?mc_cid=60baedc69e&mc_eid=08d0680a95

Germany plans to blame Russia for Leipzig attack as tensions with Putin escalate (Politico)

https://www.politico.eu/article/friedrich-merz-berlin-sanctions-russia-vladimir-putin-leipzig-attach-ascalate/

Fleeing Russians fear Putin is quietly preparing for another mobilization (Politico)

https://www.politico.eu/article/russian-vladimir-putin-quietly-preparing-another-mobilization/ 

Putin’s mouthpieces earn £800k a year for Kremlin propaganda (Antonia Langford for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/31/putins-mouthpieces-earn-800k-a-year-for-kremlin-propaganda/ 

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,644.

Today, after Kyiv endured the longest period of air raid alerts since the start of the war – and yes, we do mean 2014 – Ukrainians get back to their new normal: recovering family memories from the ashes of destroyed homes and grabbing a morning coffee amid shattered glass. Ukraine reorganises its Donbas defence, whilst also wiping out another long range Russian bomber, deploying brand-new US military kit and answering the question we’ve all been wondering: can you have too many Kalashnikovs mounted on a single robot? And later, we’re in London’s iconic St Paul’s cathedral, talking, and listening, to the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra.

NOTE: Monday is a Bank Holiday in the UK, so there will be no episode. Normal service will resume on Tuesday.

Contributors: 

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Sophie O’Sullivan (Telegraph Journalist)

Lilian Fawcett (Telegraph Journalist)

With thanks to the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra.

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Learn about the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra:

https://www.ukrainianfreedomorchestra.org/ 

Trump Says Russia Will Not Attack NATO (Kyiv Post)

https://www.kyivpost.com/post/83238

EU states revive plan to use frozen Russian assets for Ukraine (Financial Times) https://www.ft.com/content/6d272811-8d26-46f0-ae24-abed61aa1bf3?syn-25a6b1a6=1

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,643.

Today, an hours-long drone and missile attack on Kyiv overnight as Russia continues its push on three key towns in the fortress belt in the East. But in some welcome news, Ukraine appears to have repelled Putin’s forces north of Lyman in a secret counterattack. Plus, the real reason for CIA director John Ratfcliffe’s visit to Moscow this week, and President Zelensky’s top aid says Ukraine and Russia could hold talks as soon as September. Then Francis reports from Germany, where elections could trigger a dramatic shift in the country’s defence policy. Meanwhile Friedrich Merz’s government considers investing in Britain’s nuclear programme to bolster Europe’s deterrent against Moscow.

Contributors:

Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

James Rothwell (Berlin Correspondent). @JamesERothwell on X.

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: James England and Hana Kelly

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk

Explosions, jet-powered drones rock Kyiv as rare hours-long Russian aerial attack continues into afternoon (Kyiv Independent)

https://kyivindependent.com/explosions-rock-kyiv-as-russia-launches-ballistic-missiles-at-the-capital-and-other-regions-across-ukraine/

'The city is dying' — Ukrainians in Kramatorsk brace for worst as Russian forces inch closer (Asami Terajima for the Kyiv Independent)

https://kyivindependent.com/the-city-is-dying-ukrainians-in-kramatorsk-brace-for-worst-as-russian-forces-inch-closer/ 

Germany in talks to help fund Trident (Joe Barnes, James Rothwell and James Crisp for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/26/germany-talks-help-fund-britains-trident-nuclear-deterrent/

German politician wants to hold swingers’ party in city hall (James Rothwell for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/23/german-politician-swingers-party-city-hall-mannheim/

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,642.

Today, after the CIA apparently finds a way through Russian air defences, sneaking their director into the country with the Kremlin spokesman later denying any knowledge of a US military plane landing in Moscow, and with the Vatican’s Foreign Minister turning up nearby, we ask what was so interesting about Moscow yesterday. Then, after his call for elections blew up in his face, Ukraine’s ousted defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov made another political gaffe by saying, much to Moscow’s delight, that his country is ‘slowly losing the war’. All this while Ukraine strikes 16 targets across Russia, including oil facilities and another Wildberries warehouse. Later, we get our regular deep dive into Russian cucumbers and other economic indicators as well as a look at the latest cooling in relations between Russia and Armenia.

Contributors:

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

James Kilner (Russia Analyst). @Jkjourno on X.

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk

Russia to extend diesel export ban through September, sources say (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/russia-extend-diesel-export-ban-through-september-sources-say-2026-08-25/ 

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,642.

Today, after a parade of robots marks Ukraine’s Independence Day, we turn to New York, where the United States has refused to join NATO allies and other partners in calling for Russia to join Ukraine in an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. Meanwhile Britain’s Andy Burnham has said he will join European allies in pressuring Donald Trump to provide Patriot missiles to Ukraine – just as Zelensky says Kyiv has received “a few” but “we need more”. We report on the fantastic news for Wildberries and Ozon customers and owners of other large businesses in Russia, as long as you don’t read Moscow’s small print. And we talk to a former South Korean diplomat to get a better idea of just how significant – and dangerous – Kim Jong Un’s support is for Vladimir Putin. 

Contributors:

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Alex Nichol (Telegraph Journalist).

With thanks to Lami Kim, IISS Korea Chair and former South Korean diplomat.

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan & Aaron Wheeler

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk

Russia threatens to attack British factories (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/25/russia-threatens-attack-british-factories-ukraine/

Kellogg Backs Mobilization of Ukrainian Women (Kyiv Post)

https://www.kyivpost.com/post/83010

Russian soldier fires RPG at his feet (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/25/russian-soldier-fires-rpg-at-own-feet/

Russia's Perm oil refinery halted operations after August 21 drone attack, sources say (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/russias-perm-oil-refinery-halted-operations-after-august-21-drone-attack-sources-2026-08-24/

Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, August 24, 2026 (Institute for the Study of War)

https://understandingwar.org/research/russia-ukraine/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-august-24-2026/

Dr Lami Kim’s work:

Everything but the Bomb: South Korea’s Nuclear Hedging Strategy

Mind the air-defence gap: South Korea’s burgeoning role in air and missile defence

Europe’s missile defence gap: is South Korea part of the answer?

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,641.

Today we assess a hectic weekend of diplomacy, with Andy Burnham and other world leaders in Kyiv to mark Ukraine’s Independence Day – his first foreign trip as Britain’s new Prime Minister. He came ready to hand over blueprints for Storm Shadow cruise missiles, not long after President Zelensky discussed fresh supplies of missile interceptors with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron. Meanwhile, Ukraine has targeted another major Russian online retailer – Ozon – for the first time, and Russia’s ambassador to London Andrei Kelin was withdrawn to Moscow with no explanation.

Contributors: 

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Antonia Langford (Freelance Journalist in Kyiv). @Antonialford on X

With thanks to John Foreman CBE, Chatham House associate fellow and former UK defence attaché to Russia.

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan and Tom Steed

Social Producer: Aaron Wheeler

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk

Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, August 23, 2026 (Institute for the Study of War)

https://understandingwar.org/research/russia-ukraine/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-august-23-2026/

Burnham hits back after Kremlin accuses him of prolonging war in Ukraine (Antonia Langford for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/24/kremlin-attacks-burnham-over-storm-shadows-for-ukraine/

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,638.

Today, as Russia is accused of yet another incursion into Nato airspace, there are reports of a major Ukrainian drone attack on occupied Crimea. Kyiv is apparently seeking approval – again – from Elon Musk, this time to use Starlink in strikes on Russian missile launchers. Meanwhile, Russia is defenseless in the Mediterranean for the first time in a decade. We speak to the Telegraph journalist who got the scoop. Plus, a bizarre twist in the story of the suspected Nord Stream saboteur - and which American music artist is set to perform in St Petersburg in October? Finally, we catch up with occupied territories expert Dr Jade McGlynn on her recent trip to eastern Ukraine.

Contributors:

Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.

Sophie O’Sullivan (Telegraph journalist). 

Tom Cotterill (Telegraph defence editor). @TomCotterillX on X.

Jade McGlynn (Research fellow, King’s College London). @DrJadeMcGlynn on X.

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Anita Blay

Studio Director: James England

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk

Ukraine’s Logistics Targeting Raises Questions for Russia’s Rear Defences (RUSI)

https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/commentary/ukraines-logistics-targeting-raises-questions-russias-rear-defences 

‘Highway of death’: the Ukrainian drone campaign menacing Russian logistics (The Guardian)

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/11/highway-of-death-the-ukrainian-drone-campaign-menacing-russian-logistics

Ukraine seeks Elon Musk’s help to hit Russian missile launchers (Financial Times)

https://www.ft.com/content/ff536e6e-dc56-45e3-b5e0-2dfb28148cb6?syn-25a6b1a6=1

Ukraine Planned to Swarm Moscow Airports With AI-Guided Drones (Simon Shuster for The Atlantic)

https://www.theatlantic.com/national-security/2026/08/ukraine-moscow-airports-ai-drones/688337/ 

Coalition of the Willing to hold Independence Day meeting in Kyiv (Kyiv Independent)

https://kyivindependent.com/coalition-of-the-willing-to-hold-independence-day-meeting-in-kyiv/

Russian publishers reportedly cut print runs after Ukrainian strikes on Wildberries warehouses, where their books are stored (Meduza) https://meduza.io/en/news/2026/08/21/russian-publishers-reportedly-cut-print-runs-after-ukrainian-strikes-on-wildberries-warehouses-where-their-books-are-stored

The cheap submarine-detection kits set to expose Putin’s invisible force (Tom Cotterill for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/08/21/cheap-submarine-detection-kits-expose-russia-navy-ships-war/ 

Russian widows hire clairvoyants to contact husbands killed in war (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/17/russian-widows-hire-clairvoyants-to-contact-husbands-killed/

To hear Francis answer the question about Russian missile launchers in our last Q&A, on August 13th: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbf1PD2Xjhs&t=1890s

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,637

Today, as at least 15 people are killed in another terrible missile bombardment on Kyiv, Putin is finally forced to acknowledge the Wildberries strikes that have seen warehouses ablaze across Russia. Meanwhile Ukraine targets Russian oil refineries once again. Then we ask whether former Defence Minister Fedorov overplayed his hand by calling for election – as key supporters reject the idea – before considering how Ukrainian literature and art is already shaping the war’s memory.

Contributors: 

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

With thanks to Charlotte Higgins, chief culture writer at the Guardian and author of Ukrainian Lessons: Art in a Time of War.

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Anita Blay

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Charlotte Higgins’ Book – ‘Ukrainian Lessons: Art in a Time of War’

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ukrainian-Lessons-Art-Time-War/dp/1787335976 

Victoria Amelina’s Book – ‘Looking at Women, Looking at War: A War and Justice Diary from Ukraine’

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Looking-Women-War-foreword-Margaret/dp/0008727503 

Learn more about the Ukrainian Institute Language School: https://uil.org.uk/language-school/  

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/20/russian-cruise-missiles-kill-12-in-kyiv/ 

Russia still has 50 Kinzhal missiles in its arsenal after suspending production – Ukraine's Defence Intelligence (Ukrainska Pravda)

https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2026/08/20/8049496/ 

Fuel pumps are running dry but Putin won’t let Russians complain (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/20/fuel-pumps-running-dry-putin-russia-ukraine-war-kremlin/ 

Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, August 19, 2026 (Institute for the Study of War)

https://understandingwar.org/research/russia-ukraine/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-august-19-2026/ 

GeoInsider reporting on the Russian naval attack drone shot down by Romania

https://x.com/InsiderGeo/status/2090388854855397440?s=20

Adelie’s interview with Hugh Roberts on translating Ukrainian poetry

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AXCoKZkXMI 

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,636.

Today, in a blistering attack on his former boss, ousted Ukrainian defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov has taken aim at President Zelensky, calling out government corruption and a governance system “in crisis” and calling for fresh elections. It comes as Zelensky’s new defence minister is endorsed by parliament, but also as Ukraine’s national anti-corruption body launches dawn raids on a “high-ranking official” in the president’s office. Plus, nursery children in Russia have been held at gunpoint in government anti-terror drills and Croatian police arrest a Ukrainian man for the alleged sabotage of the Nord Stream pipeline. Later, Dom speaks to Ukrainian athlete Yaroslava Mahuchikh, who last weekend won gold in the high jump at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham.

Contributors: 

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

With thanks to Olga Saladukha and Oleksiy Kasyanov of the Ukrainian Athletic Federation, and champion high jumper Yaroslava Mahuchikh.

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan and Anthony Melton

Social Producer: Natalia Makohon

Translation by Natalia Makohon

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk

Nursery children held at gunpoint in Russian anti-terror drills (Antonia Langford for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/19/kindergarten-children-held-at-gunpoint-in-russian-drills/

Top Zelensky aide targeted in new anti-corruption investigation (Antonia Langford for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/19/top-zelensky-aide-targeted-anti-corruption-investigation/

Croatia arrests Ukrainian suspected of Nord Stream sabotage, to be tried in Germany (Kyiv Independent)

https://kyivindependent.com/croatia-arrests-suspected-nord-stream-saboteur-to-be-tried-in-germany/

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,635.

Today, after a huge drone attack on the Moscow region – potentially breaking another record – we report on the latest major Red Square military parade to be cancelled. Meanwhile, the Kremlin reportedly makes sure an outspoken banker is silenced for daring to suggest that Russia cannot win a war of attrition against Ukraine and its allies. Then Dom asks the UN’s representative in Ukraine whether the current model is “fit for purpose.” His answer may surprise you.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

With thanks Matthias Schmale, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine.

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan and Anthony Melton

Social Producer: Anita Blay

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk

Russia jails political leader for opposing Ukraine war (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/18/russia-jails-political-leader-for-opposing-ukraine-war/ 

Senior Russian banker sacked after saying: ‘We’re losing to Ukraine’ (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2026/08/17/russian-banker-sacked-after-saying-were-losing-to-ukraine/ 

Russia: Britain will pay for giving Ukraine drones (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/17/russia-britain-will-pay-for-giving-ukraine-drones/ 

Trump ballroom official held quiet Kremlin talks (Financial Times)

https://www.ft.com/content/d88a8878-425d-4225-bda4-576c6c42734e?shareType=nongift&syn-25a6b1a6=1 

‘Deliberate negligence’: Russian nuclear power company with EU operations accused of violating safety standards (Politico)

https://www.politico.eu/article/rosatom-hungary-nuclear-energy-egypt-russia-el-dabaa-paks-ii-russia-safety-standards-violations/ 

NAFO Fella Accounts re. paintings:

https://x.com/ky_painter | @kypainter.bsky.social

https://x.com/fellarequests 

https://x.com/Official_NAFO 

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,634.

Today, Ukraine sets the sky alight over Moscow oblast as it wipes out the latest Wildberries warehouse. Plus, in what Moscow said was Kyiv’s biggest attack of the year, the plant manufacturing rockets for Russia’s space programme was also destroyed, 9000km inside Russia. Thousands of protesters gathered in Kyiv over the weekend in support of former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov, and Russia’s Foreign Minister effectively admitted responsibility for recent operations in Europe such as the Leipzig drone attack, saying the West is “already starting to groan”. And later, we talk to two journalists who have just returned from Kharkiv, where they made a film warning that the city is fast catching up with Kherson when it comes to drone safari attacks.

Contributors:

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

With thanks to journalists Anna Conkling and Jason Bellini.

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett and Anthony Melton

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Natalia Makahon

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Anna and Jason’s documentary from Kharkiv

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zIaFDV1TsU 

Caolan Robertson’s interview with Mykhailo Federov

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFZ3-nZPCu0 

Putin launches revenge strikes on Kyiv after space centre attack (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/16/russia-putin-revenge-strikes-kyiv-space-centre-attack/ 

Russia builds secret drone bases in striking distance of Nato (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/16/russia-builds-secret-drone-bases-in-nato-striking-distance/ 

Patriot missiles have been a godsend for Ukraine against Putin, but they’re running out. Kyiv needs help and fast (Jack Watling for The Guardian)

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/aug/14/patriot-missiles-ukraine-putin-kyiv-running-out-nato-danger 

Second wave of fuel shortages at petrol stations sweeps across Russia (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/second-wave-fuel-shortages-petrol-stations-sweeps-across-russia-2026-08-17/ 

Call for the release of OSCE SMM staff members

https://zmina.ua/en/statements-en/the-release-of-osce-smm-staff-members-is-a-prerequisite-for-the-implementation-of-ceasefire-monitoring/  

Learn more about ENGIn

https://www.enginprogram.org/ 

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk 

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

Thumbnail image credit: X/@JayinKyiv

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,631.

Today, a train in Siberia, said to be carrying ballistic missiles from North Korea, goes up in flames. Then, not to be outdone, a Russian oil terminal near St Petersburg announces it has “completely” shut down following a recent Ukrainian attack. The Starlink spat between Poland and “big man” Elon Musk seems to be cooling and Putin has placed the son of US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr on Russia’s wanted list for fighting in Ukraine. Plus later, we speak to two women brought together by an NGO that helps Ukrainians improve their English – as one of their sons fights on the front line in Ukraine.

Contributors: 

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.

With thanks to ENGin volunteers Jane and Anastasia.

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan and James England

Social Producer: Anita Blay

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Learn more about the ENGin program, which helps Ukrainians of all ages improve their English-language conversation via volunteers worldwide: 

https://www.enginprogram.org/ 

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk

Kremlin hired assassin to murder American on Polish soil, says Tusk (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/13/kremlin-hired-assassin-to-execute-american-on-polish-soil/  

Blast at Rotterdam port energy facility kills one person (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/rotterdam-port-explosion-causes-one-death-police-say-2026-08-13/ 

Putin flexes Moscow’s muscles in the Far East (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/14/putin-flexes-moscows-muscles-in-the-far-east/ 

US armoured brigade pummelled by Ukraine’s drones in wargame (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2026/08/13/us-armoured-brigade-pummelled-ukraine-drones-wargame/ 

Pictured: ‘Russian escort’ accused of assassinating Ukrainian defector (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/13/woman-assassinates-ukrainian-submarine-commander-who-defect/ 

Ukraine offers Russia truce in the Black Sea as food supply fears mount (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-offers-russia-truce-black-sea-food-supply-fears-mount-source-says-2026-08-13/ 

Russian Strikes on Dozens of Grain Ships Threaten Global Food Supplies (New York Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/13/world/europe/russia-ukraine-ports-odesa-cargo-ship-attacks.html 

‘We have nowhere to return to’: How Russia is seizing homes in occupied Ukraine (BBC Verify)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-f153d864-33b6-4ffa-823a-bf085f8ec5e1 

Ukraine Receives Bodies of 261 Fallen Soldiers From Russia (Kyiv Post)

https://www.kyivpost.com/post/82292 

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,630.

Today, following the significant raid on the home of Russia’s Black Sea fleet, hitting warships and port infrastructure, we look at Putin’s decision to threaten the seizure of ships belonging to countries seizing shadow fleet vessels keeping the Russian economy afloat, and his decision to visit islands whose ownership is fiercely contested with Japan. Then we bring you the latest Wildberries warehouse attacks, before dedicating the rest of the episode to answering your questions on many subjects relating to the war: on China’s calculus, on disgruntled soldiers returning to Russia, and your feedback on The Odyssey’s message about a new age of warfare and its consequences for the world.

Contributors: 

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Sophie O'Sullivan (Telegraph Journalist).

Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.

Producer: Phil Atkins

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: James England

Social Producer: Anita Blay

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Russia threatens to seize British ships (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/12/russia-threatens-to-seize-british-ships/ 

Zelensky: We need US to sell us 10pc of its Patriots to defend Ukraine (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/13/zelensky-trump-patriot-missiles-ukraine/ 

EU receives €1.4 billion in revenue from immobilised Russian assets to be used for 

supporting Ukraine (EEAS) - https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/ukraine/eu-receives-eur14-billion-revenue-immobilised-russian-assets-be-used-supporting-ukraine_en

Windfall Use of Russia's Frozen Assets (Model Diplomat): https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/windfall-use-russia-frozen-assets

Ukrainian unit reports shortages of food, water on front line, command promises evacuation when 'security situation allows' (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/121st-brigade-soldiers-report-shortages-of-food-water-command-vows-to-evacuate-them-when-security-situation-allows/ 

Russian Embassy Protestors of Ottawa:

https://www.facebook.com/RussianEmbassyProtesters 

Learn more about the Versuvius Challenge:

https://scrollprize.org/ 

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,629

Today, just as Ukraine attacks a naval base, an oil terminal and port infrastructure in the Black Sea, we hear that US Vice President JD Vance asked Kyiv last month to stop drone strikes on oil tankers in the region. Then, we discuss the latest UN briefing about Ukraine’s POWs and civilian detainees imprisoned in Russia, and the horrible conditions they are being held in. Finally, our Russia expert James takes us through Syria’s evolving stance towards Russia and the economic fallout from the Wildberries strikes.

Contributors: 

Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

James Kilner (Russia Analyst). @Jkjourno on X.

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Natalia Makahon

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk

Ukraine Stops Reporting Russian Missile Data as Defenses Struggle (Bloomberg)

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-08-11/ukraine-stops-reporting-russia-missile-data-as-defenses-struggle?srnd=homepage-americas

Russian Civilian Deaths Are Growing Rapidly as Ukraine Expands Its Air War (New York Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/11/world/europe/russia-ukraine-civilian-casualties.html

Russian Turns to India to Gasoline and Ukraine Pummels Refineries (Bloomberg)

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-08-12/russia-turns-to-india-for-gasoline-as-ukraine-pummels-refineries

Dom’s visit to a prisoner of war camp in Ukraine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZuemttm2OM 

JD Vance asked Ukraine to halt strikes on tankers using Russian port (Financial Times)

https://www.ft.com/content/725b4d15-bd8d-4083-a04e-db016338af2e?shareType=nongift&syn-25a6b1a6=1

In Russia, wherever Putin goes, gasoline prices fall (Le Monde)

https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2026/08/07/in-russia-wherever-putin-goes-gasoline-prices-fall_6756239_4.html

Behind the Lines: Innocence No Defense for Young Crimean (CEPA)

https://cepa.org/article/behind-the-lines-innocence-no-defense-for-young-crimean/

Russians raid homes of Crimean Tatars and take four women to FSB in Simferopol (Ukrainska Pravda)

https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/10/15/8002814/

Crimea: Persecution of Crimean Tatars Intensifies (Human Rights Watch)

https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/11/14/crimea-persecution-crimean-tatars-intensifies

Crimean Tatar leader: ‘My people and country need defending’ (Hyphen)

https://hyphenonline.com/2024/08/27/my-people-and-country-need-defending-nariman-dzhelyal-ukraine-crimea/

After four years of war, Ukrainian astronomy is battered but unbroken (Scientific American)

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/war-pushes-ukraines-astronomy-to-the-brink/

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,628.

Today, as President Zelensky warns that as many as 50,000 North Korean troops could be preparing to deploy to Russia, we examine what a renewed role for Pyongyang could mean for the war in Ukraine. We also report on Ukraine’s latest strikes against Wildberries, after one of the Russian e-commerce giant’s largest warehouses was set ablaze overnight, as Kyiv continues targeting the logistics infrastructure sustaining Moscow’s war machine. Then we turn to politics inside Russia, where a top Moscow court has barred an opposition anti-war party from standing in September’s elections, offering another glimpse of the Kremlin’s tightening grip on political life. And later, we hear firsthand what life is like in some of Ukraine’s key frontline cities as the war enters a new and potentially dangerous phase, from a journalist who has just returned from the battlefield.

Contributors: 

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Sophie O'Sullivan (Telegraph Journalist). 

With thanks to journalist and author Felicity Spector. @felicityspector on Instagram.

Producer: Phil Atkins

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Felicity’s Book ‘Bread and War’:

https://amzn.eu/d/07Go8UBm 

Learn more about ‘Bake for Ukraine’:

https://bakeforukraine.org/ 

Putin’s war machine scours the home front for recruits (Financial Times):

https://www.ft.com/content/45289802-848f-4fa6-9769-6971b4b69bcc?syn-25a6b1a6=1 

Janis Kluge’s Substack:

https://janiskluge.substack.com/p/russian-recruitment-stabilizes-at 

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,627.

Today, after a weekend that may have seen a record number of drones launched across Ukraine and Russia, we examine what it is actually like to endure a ballistic missile attack – and how different that experience is from a drone barrage. Then, as Kyiv and other cities come under constant bombardment from weapons Ukrainian air defences cannot reliably intercept, we assess the arguments made by some that Ukraine’s increasingly ambitious strikes inside Russia could give Vladimir Putin the pretext he needs to mobilise hundreds of thousands more men. We also answer your questions about what Kyiv can realistically do to solve its missile crisis, revealing why President Donald Trump appears to have reversed course over giving Ukraine the blueprints needed to manufacture Patriot missiles.

Contributors: 

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Antonia Langford (Freelance Journalist in Kyiv). @Antonialford on X.

With thanks to RAND engineer Michael Bohnert. @mbohnert on X.

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Our Community Page can be found on our YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

Interview with Francis on ‘History in the Making’ Podcast:

Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-war-beyond-the-headlines-a-chat/id1752915858?i=1000780259657

Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/episode/1cOPsUP2JrZZOm8WxHFNao?si=L8UjqLVRRqGLxt6DIWrrSQ&utm_source=copy-link&nd=1&dlsi=1b28971d7531463e 

Ukraine: The Latest interview with WHO’s Dr Jarno Habicht: https://youtu.be/1Ujqi91joMU?si=7j0bfvysNICRjwE1&t=1282v 

Russia bombs Odesa’s city centre (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/09/russia-bombs-odesas-historic-city-centre/ 

Zwei Drohnen über Militärstützpunkt in der Eifel gesichtet (Die Zeit, in German)

https://www.zeit.de/politik/deutschland/2026-08/drohnen-mechernich-militaerstuetzpunkt-bundeswehr-nrw 

Germany’s gas gamble puts Europe’s winter at risk (Politico)

https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-gas-reserve-low-europe-winter-energy/ 

Kosovan police load up with weapons on the Serbian border as tensions rise (Danielle Sheridan for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/04/09/kosovan-police-weapons-serbia-border-tensions/ 

Paranoid Putin bans his fake opposition (Antonia Langford for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/08/paranoid-putin-cracks-down-opposition/ 

Russia turns Ukraine’s fallen soldiers into propaganda (Antonia Langford for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/06/russia-turns-ukraines-fallen-soldiers-into-propaganda/ 

‘Ukrainian’ drone explodes near European gas pipeline (Antonia Langford for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/08/ukrainian-drone-explodes-european-gas-pipeline-bulgaria/ 

Ukraine’s audacious attacks may just play into Putin’s hands (The Times)

https://www.thetimes.com/world/russia-ukraine-war/article/ukraine-russia-war-putin-escalation-npp285zgv

Ukraine’s Short-Lived Comeback (The Atlantic)

https://www.theatlantic.com/national-security/2026/08/ukraine-war-zelensky-trump/688203/ 

Spy cameras on Navy drones secretly sent data to China (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/08/09/spy-cameras-on-navy-drones-secretly-sent-data-to-china/ 

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,624.

Today, as Kyiv is in mourning following Wednesday's attack, President Donald Trump continues to backtrack on the promised Patriot blueprints. Ukraine hits another Wildberry warehouse overnight, which brings the number of hits to at least 20 since the beginning of the operation, and we reflect on the 40-day strike campaign – has it brought the war closer to an end? Meanwhile, President Zelensky performs a balancing act, meeting with two countries historically close to Russia. Finally, we discuss Ukraine’s effort to prosecute the war in real time, with a groundbreaking trial on Russia’s human safari.

Contributors: 

Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.

Alex Nichol (Telegraph Journalist).

With thanks to Tom Watling, freelance reporter based in Kyiv. @TomAWatling on X.

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Russian attacks kill 9, injure 89 across Ukraine over past day as Dnipropetrovsk Oblast comes under nearly 80 attacks (Kyiv Independent)

https://kyivindependent.com/russian-attacks-kill-9-injure-89-across-ukraine-over-past-day-as-dnipropetrovsk-oblast-comes-under-nearly-80-strikes/

What did Ukraine's '40-day campaign' against Russia deliver? (Kyiv Independent)

https://kyivindependent.com/did-ukraines-40-day-campaign-against-russia-change-anything/

U.S. Intel Finds Putin Could Test NATO’s Resolve With Limited Incursion (Wall Street Journal)

https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/u-s-intel-finds-putin-could-test-natos-resolve-with-limited-incursion-e3b02e2c

Alex’s interview with Andrei Sizov, head of SovEcon grain consultancy

https://youtu.be/gzG-OjuHlgA?si=9zZZQ-aa41DeYvpj&t=1307

Leipzig drone incident fuels fears of Russian election meddling (Politico)

https://www.politico.eu/article/leipzig-drone-incident-fuels-fears-russia-election-meddling/

Russians face a war trial. Ukrainians face having to defend them (Tom Watling for The Times)

https://www.thetimes.com/world/russia-ukraine-war/article/ukraine-russia-crimes-against-humanity-icc-hssdzdswr

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,623.

Today, after an extraordinary drone attack in Germany raises fresh questions about Russia’s campaign against the West, we ask whether it is finally time to stop describing Moscow’s actions as “hybrid”, “grey zone” or “sub-threshold” warfare – and instead call them what they are. We also report on Russia’s worsening fuel crisis, with queues once again forming outside petrol stations following Ukraine’s latest drone strike on Yaroslavl oil refinery. In Kyiv, Britain’s new Defence Secretary reaffirms UK support, declaring, “We’re with Ukraine until they win,” as we assess what the change in leadership could mean for military aid and European security. And later, we speak to the founder of an NGO supporting Ukrainian children with learning disabilities and other special educational needs, exploring how war affects those with heightened sensory sensitivities and what can be done to help.

Contributors: 

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Sophie O'Sullivan (Telegraph Journalist).

Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.

With thanks to Alex Khilodenko, the founder of the CodeIT4Life – an NGO that focuses on building secure underground spaces for children with learning disabilities or special needs, like autism, especially taking into account their sensory sensitivity in the midst of war.

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

CodeIT4Life, the NGO in Kharkiv providing safe underground spaces for children with special needs: 

https://codeit4.life/no-limits-inclusive-resource-center-in-derhachi/

Russia blamed for explosive drone at German airport (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/05/explosive-drone-found-ukraine-plane-russia-germany/ 

Ukraine strikes oil refinery 800 miles inside Russia (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/06/russia-strikes-ukrainian-train-station/ 

Report: ‘Russia’s UAV Campaign Over Europe’ (IISS):

https://www.iiss.org/globalassets/media-library---content--migration/images-delta/publications/research-papers/2026-new/russia-uav/ammended-file/russia_uav-campaign-over-europe.pdf

Trump declined Zelenskyy's request for additional Patriot missiles (Ukrainska Pravda): https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2026/08/05/8047361/ 

North Korean missile unit deploys in Russia for Ukraine war, Kyiv says (Reuters);

https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/north-korean-missile-unit-deploys-russia-ukraine-war-kyiv-says-2026-08-05/ 

Trump, Hegseth clashed at Camp David over Iran missile depletion concerns (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2026/08/05/trump-hegseth-clashed-camp-david-over-iran-missile-depletion-concerns/

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,622.

Today, Kyiv reels from the deadliest attack this year after failing to intercept any Russian missiles overnight, as North Korea continues to support Russia’s war, providing 120 ballistic missiles and six launchers. Meanwhile, Ukraine carries out air strikes on another Wildberries warehouse and several industrial sites, including an oil refinery. Then, we keep an eye on Kyiv and Washington’s warming relationship in recent weeks and discuss whether Ukraine could decide Italy’s next election. Finally, examine the lives of war widows as Russian losses mount, and Francis speaks to the World Health Organization’s representative in Ukraine about providing medical care in a war zone.

Contributors: 

Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.

Alex Nichol (Telegraph Journalist).

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

With thanks to Dr Jarno Habicht of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Russian soldier opens fire on his own platoon (Antonia Langford for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/04/russian-soldier-opens-fire-on-his-own-platoon/

Syria tells US it is willing to drastically drop Russian oil imports (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/syria-tells-us-it-is-willing-drastically-drop-russian-oil-imports-sources-say-2026-08-04/

Russia Approves State-Funded IVF for Widows as Birth Rates Hit Historic Low (Kyiv Post)

https://www.kyivpost.com/post/80941

Facing a demographic catastrophe, Ukraine is paying for troops to freeze their sperm (BBC)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqxd9549y4xo

Ukraine's war widows: 'None of us was prepared to pay such a high price for our country' (Le Monde)

https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2024/02/17/ukraine-s-war-widows-none-of-us-was-prepared-to-pay-such-a-high-price-for-our-country_6535062_4.html

British Widows of the First World War, The Forgotten Legion, Andrea Hetherington

https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/British-Widows-of-the-First-World-War-Hardback/p/14718

How Putin Turned Japan Into a Den of Spies (New York Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/12/world/asia/russia-spies-japan-war-drones-electronics.html

MI6, DGSE, Ukraine... L’Express reveals an unprecedented ranking of Europe’s best spies (L’Express)

https://shorturl.at/6t6hW

French spy TV series, The Bureau: 

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4063800/

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,621.

Putin finds himself in a sticky situation this morning after two more Wildberry distribution centres are attacked. There is also more evidence of Russia’s drone safari against civilians after a market vendor in Kherson was seen being hunted by a drone. We look at the latest diplomatic developments, which have seen Kyiv’s ambassador to the US dismissed, and its ambassador to London Valery Zaluzhny say that Ukraine is unlikely ever to join NATO. And later, a frontline reporter tells us what life is like today in the embattled fortress cities of Sloviansk, Kramatorsk and Kostiantynivka.

Contributors: 

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Lily Shanagher (Foreign Breaking News Report for The Telegraph). @LilyShanagher on X.

With thanks to Francis Farrell, Kyiv Independent Senior Reporter.

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Learn more about the Kyiv Independent’s October event in London:

https://kyivindependent.com/live/ 

Russia’s Wildberries to build 260,000 square metres of warehouse space in Kazakhstan (Novaya Gazeta)

https://novayagazeta.eu/en/articles/2026/08/04/russias-wildberries-to-build-260000-square-metres-of-warehouse-space-in-kazakhstan-en-news 

Ukraine energy chief says infrastructure attacks will shape war’s outcome (Politico)

https://www.politico.eu/article/ukraine-energy-denys-shmyhal-winter-war/ 

"Twelve years of fairy tales": former commander-in-chief Zaluzhnyi says Ukraine will never join NATO (Ukrainska Pravda)

https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2026/08/03/8047090/ 

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,620. 

Today, we report on another weekend of intense military activity: from renewed strikes on Wildberries warehouses – so severe that the company's owner and CEO Tatyana Kim was compelled to issue a public statement – to assassination attempts and a bombing at a Moscow restaurant. Plus, drone strikes on Russian positions in Crimea and a brutal attack on Kyiv that reveals the city's vulnerability to ballistic missile strikes. Dom and Francis also examine the latest casualty figures claimed by President Zelensky, the evolving US position on Ukraine, and what the new adaptation of The Odyssey might be trying to say about how modern warfare is having a corrosive effect on contemporary society.

Contributors: 

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk

James Kilner on the true significance of the Wildberries attacks:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_UYWPnaFRM&t=835s 

Ukraine only able to intercept one of 27 Russian missiles aimed at Kyiv (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/01/ukraine-only-able-intercept-one-27-russian-missiles-kyiv/ 

Trump backtracks on promise to give Ukraine Patriot blueprints (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2026/07/31/trump-backtracks-promise-ukraine-patriot-blueprints/  

'Nature of the threats has changed' — Kyiv removes protective structures from city monuments (Kyiv Independent)

https://kyivindependent.com/kyiv-to-remove-protective-coverings-over-monuments/?mc_cid=f58d6cc26e&mc_eid=08d0680a95 

Zelensky Updates NSDC Roster Amid Government Reshuffle (Kyiv Post):

https://www.kyivpost.com/post/81516 

Tulsi Gabbard and her guru (The Washington Post):

https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/2026/06/21/tulsi-gabbard-her-guru-mysterious-messages-that-helped-shape-her-political-career/ 

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

Thumbnail image credit: X/@bayraktar_1love

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,617.

As yet more Russian Wildberries distribution sites reach for the stars, Ukrainian missile producer Firepoint wins the month’s top-trolling award by offering merch to anyone who correctly predicts their next target. Dom reports how ballistic-missile defence is the hot topic of military and diplomatic discussion at the moment, with offers from Poland, favours asked of SpaceX and, perhaps least surprising of all, a growing coolness from Donald Trump over the plan/idea/wishful thinking that Ukraine would be given the Patriot blueprints. Alex Nichol reports that Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff may be in Ukraine in the next few weeks, which would be their first trip to Kyiv despite making multiple visits to Putin in Moscow. Finally, Adélie discusses Ukrainian war poetry, with the man who brought the newest generation of poets to English-speaking audiences.

Contributors: 

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Alex Nichol (Telegraph Journalist).

Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.

With thanks to Hugh Roberts (@hugh.g.a.roberts on Instagram) and the University of Exeter. 

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk

Russian missile destroys US firm’s Kyiv drone factory (The Guardian)

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jul/30/us-firm-drone-factory-terminal-autonomy-ukraine-russia 

Zelensky Asked Trump for a Favor From Elon Musk (The Atlantic)

https://www.theatlantic.com/national-security/2026/07/zelensky-asked-trump-for-a-favor-from-elon-musk/688122/

Donald Trump ‘not sure’ he will let Ukraine build Patriot missiles (Financial Times)

https://www.ft.com/content/d8c42f6b-4dba-4976-a907-c7c93bca0bbd?syn-25a6b1a6=1 

War and peace: Ukraine’s ambassador in Washington joins our table (Christian Science Monitor)

https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/monitor_breakfast/2026/0731/ukraine-ambassador-olga-stefanishyna?icid=rss

The Geopolitics of Russia’s Civil Nuclear Exports Four Years into the War (Centre for Strategic and International Studies)

https://www.csis.org/analysis/geopolitics-russias-civil-nuclear-exports-four-years-war 

Ukrainian War Time Poetry: 

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLx2YPXiQIIQvRHSFfabgsOZM_5G5eqj5O

Jantar Publishing House: 

https://www.jantarpublishing.com/

Lines from the frontline: the poet soldiers defending Ukraine (The Conversation): 

https://theconversation.com/lines-from-the-frontline-the-poet-soldiers-defending-ukraine-276676 

Death of a Ukrainian Writer (New Yorker): 

https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/the-death-of-a-ukrainian-writer-victoria-amelina

The Buried Book That Helped Ukraine’s Literary Revival (The New York Times): 

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/20/world/europe/ukraine-publishing-buried-book.html

More about Aliaksei Lazarau: https://x.com/Alx_lazarau/status/2050195969103307014 

The petition to allow non-Ukrainian to be recognised as Hero of Ukraine: https://petition.president.gov.ua/petition/264020 

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,616.

A Russian cruise missile is believed to have landed in Poland overnight, just after President Zelensky and Polish prime minister Donald Tusk met to patch up a rumbling diplomatic spat. Meanwhile, inside Ukraine, former Minister of Defence Fedorov gives his first big interview since being sacked, saying there is 'resistance to change' in the defence ministry and laying out his vision to win the war. Finally, Dom, Adelie, and Francis read your best summer postcards and answer your questions.

Contributors:

Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Producer: Tom Steed

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Anita Blay

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

‘Russian missile’ leaves crater in Poland (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/30/poland-explosion-russian-missile-attack/ 

Attacks on Ukrainians in Poland are rising. Disinformation fuels the flames (Kyiv Independent)

https://kyivindependent.com/attacks-on-ukrainians-in-poland-are-rising-disinformation-fuels-the-flames/

Watch the full interview with Mykhailo Fedorov (Ukrainska Pravda, in Ukrainian)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbjYc4-OuT0

Russia importing sensitive UK, EU tech through India, data shows (Politico)

https://www.politico.eu/article/russia-import-uk-eu-technology-india-data/

Francis’s Interview with Michael Bohnert re. Patriot missile timescales:

https://youtu.be/Fg_PmGkpJu4?si=Jf7HoU6anVj1JCQW 

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,615.

After Russia sees another night of Ukrainian drone strikes on a Wildberries warehouse and oil refinery attacks, Francis examines Kyiv’s campaign to disrupt Putin’s logistics and wartime economy. He also looks at encouraging developments in Washington, where Presidents Zelensky and Trump met ahead of the funeral of Senator Lindsey Graham, before Graham’s landmark bipartisan sanctions bill took a significant step forward in Congress. Then James Kilner has his regular Russia roundup, as rumours of a fresh mobilisation continue to circulate, before we explore the dramatic downfall of the powerful head of Russia’s international chess federation.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

James Kilner (Russia Analyst). @Jkjourno on X.

Malcolm Pein (Telegraph chess correspondent). @TelegraphChess on X.

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Anita Blay

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Russia explores support for Wildberries after Ukrainian drone attacks, sources say (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/russia-explores-support-wildberries-after-ukrainian-drone-attacks-sources-say-2026-07-28/

Laura Loomer says she called Trump from Ukraine, plans to brief president on visit (Kyiv Independent)

https://kyivindependent.com/laura-loomer-says-she-called-trump-from-ukraine-plans-to-brief-president-on-visit/ 

Kremlin Gambit: German FIDE presidential candidate Vadim Rosenstein continues to earn millions in Russia (Ukrainian Independent Information Agency of News, in Russian)

https://sport.unian.net/othersports/kandidat-v-prezidenty-fide-vadim-rozenshteyn-prodolzhaet-vesti-biznes-v-rossii-13451784.html 

Russians Form Street Patrol to Shield Men From Forced Recruitment (Kyiv Post)

https://www.kyivpost.com/post/81265 

World chess chief faces endgame after EU announces Russia war sanctions (BBC)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cewrk58k2k4o 

No contact with political prisoner Andrei Trofimov since April (Memorial)

https://memopzk.org/en/news/no-contact-with-political-prisoner-andrei-trofimov-since-april/

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,614.

As Ukraine strikes a target more than 1,300 kilometres from Kyiv, Francis and Alex Nichol assess the significance of President Zelensky’s visit to Washington for Lindsey Graham’s funeral and to meet with President Trump. It comes a day after Ukraine struck a tanker from Iran in the Caspian Sea, something the US president was asked about on Air Force One. Meanwhile, attention is focused on Congress as lawmakers prepare to decide the fate of the bipartisan sanctions bill, which would impose sweeping tariffs on countries continuing to buy Russian energy. Later, we take a deep dive into the Black Sea grain corridor, exploring why it’s returned to the centre of the war after recent attacks on merchant shipping, and what it means for global food security.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Alex Nichol (Telegraph Journalist).

With thanks to Andrey Sizov, head of SovEcon grain consultancy (@sizov_andre on X).

Producer: Tom Steed

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Anita Blay

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Democrats ‘undermining US support for Ukraine’ (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/27/democrat-opponents-sanctioning-russia-act-undermine-ukraine/ 

Life of a Ukrainian draft dodger (Antonia Langford for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/28/ukraine-hunt-for-draft-dodgers-becomes-battle-on-the-street/ 

EU hesitates to target Irish plant accused of supplying Russia’s war industry (Financial Times)

https://www.ft.com/content/ef7ff634-b738-4975-91b5-2edffc51da68?syn-25a6b1a6=1 

The Sizov Report

http://sizov.report

Wagner’s Remnants Are Running an Opioid Empire in the Center of Africa (Wall Street Journal)

https://www.wsj.com/world/africa/russia-wagner-africa-opioid-trade-d015c4bc 

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,613.

As Putin is forced to cancel his annual Navy Day parade in St. Petersburg for the second year in a row – forced to stand by an image of a submarine instead – we report on another major weekend on the battlefield for both Russia and Ukraine, including a strike by Kyiv on an Iranian-linked tanker in the Caspian Sea. Meanwhile Volodymyr Zelensky is in London to meet with new British PM Andy Burnham for the first time, as the Ukrainian president warns of a new mobilisation drive by Moscow amid mounting Russian losses. Then we hear from the WELT offices in Germany about their wargame that caused such a stir, NATO’s Secretary General had to respond.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

James Rothwell (Berlin Correspondent). @JamesERothwell on X.

With thanks to Caroline Drüten, international security correspondent at WELT.

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

‘Ernstfall: What if Russia Attacks NATO? Inside a German Wargame’ (WELT Podcast):

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/ernstfall-what-if-russia-attacks-nato-inside-a/id6785429115

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033GHuBrh6zwl1mq4TVeY6 

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/21/new-missile-at-centre-of-anglo-german-golden-age-of-defence/ 

Fabrice Deprez’s Substack describing Kramatorsk:

https://eastradar.substack.com/p/the-long-war-60?triedRedirect=true 

Kazakhstan’s Tokayev Urges Putin to Freeze Ukraine War (Kyiv Post)

https://www.kyivpost.com/post/81070 

Kremlin Shrugs Off Reports of US-Ukraine Air Truce Plan, Says It’s ‘Too Early’ (Kyiv Post)

https://www.kyivpost.com/post/81124 

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,610.

Today, as Ukraine expands its long-range strike campaign with fresh attacks on Russian logistics hubs and warehouses – including targets in St Petersburg – we examine the growing economic cost to Moscow as Kyiv intensifies its effort to disrupt supply chains and undermine Russia’s war machine. We also explore why American political commentator and Donald Trump ally Laura Loomer has dramatically reversed her position on Ukraine after years of amplifying pro-Kremlin narratives, and what that shift could signal for Republican support for Kyiv. And later, Dom brings you an exclusive interview with Ukraine’s new Veterans Minister, recorded during a visit to Mykolaiv earlier this year.

Contributors:

Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.

Alex Nichol (Telegraph Journalist).

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

With thanks to Vitali Kim, the new Veteran Affairs Minister of Ukraine, former frontline mayor of Mykolaiv.

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: James England

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Why Russia’s Amazon became Ukraine’s number one target (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/24/why-russias-amazon-became-ukraines-number-one-target/ 

Inside Ukraine’s Kill Zone (Reuters):

https://www.reuters.com/graphics/UKRAINE-CRISIS/KILL-ZONE/znpnojmknvl/

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,609.

Today, after Mykhailo Drapatyi is appointed Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, we examine the reaction from Russian soldiers and military commentators as Kyiv reshapes its wartime leadership. We also report on Ukraine’s continuing campaign of long-range strikes, with fresh attacks on a key Russian logistics hub and another strategically important oil refinery as Kyiv seeks to weaken Moscow’s war machine far behind the front lines. Then we assess how Russia’s war against Ukraine is reshaping global grain exports and food prices, before unpacking the European Union’s latest sanctions against Vladimir Putin’s regime, finally agreed after weeks of difficult negotiations.

Contributors:

Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.

Alex Nichol (Telegraph Journalist).

Producer: Phil Atkins

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest 

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Yesterday’s Ukraine: The Latest, offering a deep dive into Kyiv’s new commander-in-chief:

YouTube – https://youtu.be/xqBiyMPM4jo?si=p1rlhUOodgg781ck 

Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/ukraines-legendary-new-commander-takes-charge-after/id1612424182?i=1000777916224

Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/episode/3CktsLADyTxmHVesqf6RxW?si=abe2835da3fc4782 

Kremlin propagandist Xenia Fedorova escapes EU sanctions targeting Russian figures (Le Monde):

https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2026/07/22/kremlin-propagandist-xenia-fedorova-escapes-eu-sanctions-targeting-russian-figures_6755722_4.html?srsltid=AfmBOopfQv9I8HMURwgR6Hkc7GNY7nqJuYDoS-YXXq1t3JMx29P71kMx

From the Shannon to Siberia: How alumina from a Limerick refinery enters Russia’s weapons supply chain (The Irish Times)

https://www.irishtimes.com/world/europe/2026/03/24/from-the-shannon-to-siberia-how-alumina-from-a-limerick-refinery-enters-russias-weapons-supply-chain/

For more on Caolan Robertson’s investigation into the Auginish aluminium plant, Ukraine: The Latest June 16th episode: 

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mimSeae4Nw&t=1492s

Apple podcast – https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/trump-tells-putin-to-make-a-deal-at-g7-revenge/id1612424182?i=1000772992491

Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/episode/2XXCl4A8oZ871GwjvdXowY

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,608.

Today, in another historic day for the war, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi is replaced with one of the most famous generals in Ukraine: Mykhailo Drapatyi, a popular and innovative military leader with a remarkable backstory. We bring together a frontline Ukrainian drone pilot and two leading experts to hear what really happened in the past 72 hours, what this means for the conflict, and the likely strategy Kyiv will adopt as the war enters the next phase.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Dr Jade McGlynn (Centre for Statecraft and National Security, King's College London)

Special thanks to Dr Jack Watling – Senior Research Fellow for Applied Military Sciences at the Royal United Services Institute – and Dimko Zhluktenko,  best known as a drone pilot in the 413th Regiment of the Unmanned Systems Forces.

Producer: Alexis Adimora

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,607.

Today, as Ukraine strikes a plant belonging to Russia’s largest steel producer, we assess Moscow’s increasing use of ballistic missiles as the fighting on the frontline heads towards Russia’s bloodiest month in a year and a half. We also report on the man expected to replace Kyiv’s Commander-in-Chief, before a special interview with one of the founding members of Pussy Riot about the group’s origins and the protest performance that led to members being sent to a Russian penal colony.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

With thanks to Nadya Tolokonnikova of Pussy Riot.

Producer: Phil Atkins

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

The Pavilion of dis(Sense) – conceived and curated by the Russian dissident artist Katia Margolis – is in the former Church of San Leonardo, Venice, until August 7. Learn more: https://www.instagram.com/pavilionofdissense/ 

Francis’s Dispatches from La Biennale in Venice – 

Part I: https://youtu.be/ay2UT-SeKDI?si=HcbI6rpImmWdnEIM&t=559

Part II (featuring the first section of Francis’s interview with Nadya of Pussy Riot): https://youtu.be/KVCZ9mVVFNI?si=zpNovKCPKyoDJdbU&t=829 

Nadja’s Strasbourg exhibition, ‘Resistance Imprisoned’:

https://www.ritschfisch.com/exhibition/resistance-imprisoned/ 

Russian warship opens fire off Devon (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/07/21/russian-warship-neustrashimy-fires-plymouth-royal-navy/  

White House concerned over Miliband as Foreign Secretary (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2026/07/21/white-house-deeply-concerned-miliband-foreign-secretary/ 

Mykhailo Drapatyi, the man some protesters want to replace Syrskyi (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/mykhailo-drapatyi-the-man-some-protesters-want-to-replace-syrskyi/ 

Zelensky’s crisis deepens as ex-defence minister rejects offer to return (Financial Times):

https://www.ft.com/content/51dad580-487a-43d4-8427-cdd764cbe8f5?syn-25a6b1a6=1

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,606.

Today, after one of its biggest ballistic missile attacks on Kyiv of the war, we hear about Ukraine’s strikes on warehouses belonging to Russia’s equivalent to Amazon, costing millions in damages and a 2000 square mile cloud that can be seen from space. Then we consider the rumours that Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi may be next for the chop as protests continue over President Zelensky’s removal of Defence Minister Fedorov. And, with our guest, we try to answer a key question: now President Trump has promised to share the blueprints for Patriot missiles with Kyiv, how long will it take for Ukraine to build its own version?

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Alex Nichol (Telegraph Journalist).

With thanks for Michael Bohnert – Engineer at RAND.

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Russia unleashes largest ballistic missile attack of the war (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/19/russia-ukraine-war-ballistic-missile-attack-kyiv-zelensky/ 

Ukraine strikes warehouses of ‘Russian Amazon’ in revenge attack (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/18/ukraine-strikes-warehouses-russian-amazon-revenge-attack/ 

Fires rage near Moscow after Ukrainian drone strikes (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/20/fires-rage-near-moscow-after-ukrainian-drone-strikes/ 

Russian pensioners dying in queues for fuel (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/17/russian-pensioners-dying-queues-fuel/ 

Video shows bomb attack on Ukrainian tycoon in Monaco (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/18/video-bomb-attack-ukrainian-tycoon-monaco/ 

FIFA risks prosecution over World Cup payments to Russian clubs (Follow The Money):

https://www.ftm.eu/articles/fifa-world-cup-sanctions-payments-russian-clubs 

Russia Plans to Mobilize 500,000 Personnel by Autumn, Prepares for New Fronts (Kyiv Post):

kyivpost.com/post/80585 

More from Michael Bohnert on Patriot Missiles:

https://x.com/mbohnert/status/2079146203795890363 

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,603. 

Today, as Ukraine reels from the dismissal of its popular Defence Minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, we examine the speculation surrounding his sudden departure, and reveal details of his new successor. We also bring you the latest on Ukraine’s extraordinary campaign in the naval theatre, where more than 100 Russian vessels have been struck in little over a week, before our regular segment on the occupied territories. Finally, with British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer – one of Ukraine’s strongest international supporters – leaving office on Monday, we assess what his successor, Andy Burnham, will mean for the war.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Dr Jade McGlynn (Centre for Statecraft and National Security, King’s College London)

Lilian Fawcett (Senior Producer on Ukraine: The Latest)

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Jade’s Project – ‘TOT Insights’ (Ukraine’s Temporarily Occupied Territories):

https://totinsights.org/ 

Ukraine turns Sea of Azov into graveyard for Russian ships (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/17/ukraine-turns-sea-of-azov-into-graveyard-for-russian-ships/

The sacking that turned Ukrainians against Zelensky (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/16/protests-erupt-zelensky-fires-defence-minister-fedorov/

Why Zelensky has fired the man beating Russia (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/07/16/why-zelensky-fired-mykhailo-fedorov/ 

Starmer tells Zelensky: You have Britain’s ‘cast-iron’ support (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2026/07/16/keir-starmer-heads-to-ukraine-volodymyr-zelensky-burnham/

Russia Strips Arctic Air Defenses As Ukraine War Strains Military (Radio Liberty):

https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-air-defense-removal-arctic-satellite-photos-ukraine-war/33803628.html 

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,602.

Following President Zelensky’s seismic sacking of 35-year-old Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov – a popular, dynamic moderniser in the government – we bring you the reaction on the streets of Kyiv, where protests have broken out. Reports suggest it was irreconcilable differences with commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi that ultimately got Fedorov dismissed – but also that his personal political ambitions had Zelensky worried. Is this the president’s biggest political miscalculation since his move against the country’s anti-corruption bodies in 2025? Then, we have the latest Ukrainian strikes on Russian ships in the Black Sea. Finally Adelie learns about the remarkably brave women who have become the backbone of the resistance movement in the occupied territories.

Contributors:

Roland Oliphant (Chief Foreign Analyst). @RolandOliphant on X.

Alex Nichol (Telegraph Journalist).

Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.

Producer: Phil Atkins

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Protests erupt after Zelensky fires popular defence minister (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/16/protests-erupt-zelensky-fires-defence-minister-fedorov/ 

Zelensky rejected push to fire Syrskyi as commander-in-chief, Fedorov reveals (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/fedorov-admits-trying-to-replace-syrskyi-before-his-dismissal-as-defense-minister/ 

Russia's Engels air base reportedly struck in Ukrainian drone attack (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/russias-engels-air-base-reportedly-struck-in-ukrainian-drone-attack/

The Warrior-Witches of Ukraine’s Resistance (Ken Harbaugh in The Atlantic):

https://www.theatlantic.com/international/2026/06/underground-intelligence-network-russia-ukraine/687578/

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,601.

As Ukraine expands its campaign in the Black Sea, tightening Kyiv’s stranglehold on occupied Crimea, Dom reports on the fifth consecutive day of combined missile and drone attacks on the southern Odesa region, as civilians continue to bear the brunt of the bombardment. Then Francis turned to the latest political developments shaping the war, including fresh manoeuvring in Hungary. And later, they are joined by Adelie to answer your questions on the Kerch bridge, the impact of fuel shortages for the Russian harvest, and European preparedness for the kind of aerial bombardments Ukraine suffers daily.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.

Producer: Phil Atkins

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Unmanned Systems Forces Online Killboard: https://sbs-group.army/en/ 

‘THE PINK FLAME OF THE TUZLY LAGOONS’ (Birding in Ukraine):

https://www.birdinginukraine.com/blog/the-pink-flame-of-the-tuzly-lagoons

Exclusive: Lockheed Martin supports granting Ukraine Patriot missile licenses, official says (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/lockheed-martin-supports-granting-ukraine-patriot-missile-licenses/ 

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,600.

In Paris, the Coalition of the Willing announces a new joint anti-missile defence system to ensure Ukraine’s winter supply of Patriots before attending the military parade on Bastille Day. Dom reports on the latest Russian oil refinery strike by Ukraine and Adelie has the latest on Ukraine’s cabinet reshuffle. Later, they hear from Berlin correspondent James Rothwell after his exclusive interview with the AfD’s defence chief – who claims a Russian attack on Germany is “completely unrealistic”.

Contributors:

Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

James Rothwell (Berlin Correspondent). @JamesERothwell on X.

Producer: Phil Atkins

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Power Outages Hit Sevastopol as Russia Declares ‘Special Regime’ After Reported Ukrainian Attack (Kyiv Post)

https://www.kyivpost.com/post/80213 

Commander of Ukraine's 155th brigade detained in kidnapping, murder case (Kyiv Independent)

https://kyivindependent.com/commander-of-ukraines-155th-brigade-detained-in-kidnapping-murder-case/

Luftwaffe chief warns Europe has ‘no time’ to counter Putin without US weapons (Politico)

https://www.politico.eu/article/europe-isnt-ready-replace-us-weapons-german-air-chief-warns/

London Playbook: ‘Endings and beginnings’ (Politico)

https://www.politico.eu/newsletter/london-playbook/endings-and-beginnings/

Ukraine's parliament dismisses prime minister, paving way for government reshuffle (Kyiv Independent)

https://kyivindependent.com/ukraines-parliament-dismisses-prime-minister-paving-way-for-government-reshuffle/

Zelensky eyes replacing Defense Minister Fedorov, source says (Kyiv Independent)

https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-eyes-replacing-defense-minister-fedorov-source-says/

Why the AfD is not scared of World War Three (James Rothwell for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/10/why-afd-not-scared-third-world-war/

How Putin Turned Japan Into a Den of Spies (New York Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/12/world/asia/russia-spies-japan-war-drones-electronics.html

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,599.

After a weekend that took the tally of oil exporting Russian ships hit by drones in the Sea of Azov to over 100, Dom reports how Ukraine has trialled an autonomous amphibious assault into Russian-held territory. Meanwhile Ukraine strikes another oil refinery, as fights break out over Russian fuel shortages. Adelie examines the first-ever joint EU-UK sanctions against the Russian cyber-war complex and asks what direction President Zelensky is heading in with his latest cabinet reshuffle. Dom looks at the latest United Nations response to the bombing of civilians and asks how they manage to condemn the killings in such strong terms, without once having to apportion blame. And later, he talks to US international affairs commentator Melinda Haring about the sudden death over the weekend of Senator Lindsay Graham and what the death of a leading Russia hawk means for Kyiv.

Contributors:

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.

With thanks to Melinda Haring, nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center.

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Lindsey Graham, Republican Senator and Staunch Trump Ally, Dies at 71 (NYT)

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/12/us/politics/lindsey-graham-dead.html

Zelenskyy dismisses Ukraine’s prime minister in cabinet shake-up (FT)

https://www.ft.com/content/db48418a-f906-4afd-86a2-1ab08004bd13?syn-25a6b1a6=1

Beyond the Battlefield: Russia’s Information War Against Ukraine’s European Future

https://cpd.gov.ua/en/report/beyond-the-battlefield-russias-information-war-against-ukraines-european-future/

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,596.

Ukraine continues playing its game of Whack-A-Hole on the Kremlin's energy plants. Dom looks at technical developments on the battlefield, including the suggestion Ukrainian troops are now deliberately starting their assaults with next to no equipment, before turning to politics: with Tomahawks on their way to Europe and Marine Le Pen, possibly, on her way to the Elysee Palace. Adelie French-splains what a National Rally presidency could mean for European security and Ukraine. Finally, Adelie is joined by Alexander Browder, the 17-year-old who was sanctioned by the Kremlin for exposing a Russian-backed crypto laundering network.

Contributors:

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.

With thanks to Alexander Browder.

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Exclusive: US fund to make 'big' investment in Ukraine's critical minerals this fall, economy minister says (Kyiv Independent)

https://kyivindependent.com/exclusive-us-fund-to-make-big-investment-in-ukraines-critical-minerals-this-fall-economy-minister-says/

Uefa drags its heels over action against Russia’s fake Ukrainian clubs (The Guardian)

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/27/uefa-action-russia-fake-ukrainian-clubs-shakhtar-donetsk#:~:text=The%20fake%20Shakhtar%2C%20who%20play,promoted%20to%20the%20third%20tier.

Au RN, quinze ans d’affaires judiciaires sous l’ère Marine Le Pen (Le Monde)

https://www.lemonde.fr/les-decodeurs/article/2026/07/07/au-rassemblement-national-quinze-ans-d-affaires-judiciaires-sous-l-ere-marine-le-pen_6721393_4355770.html

French court clears way for Marine Le Pen to run for president but orders her to wear electronic tag (BBC)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c70yk5xjyl1t

No longer Putin's friends but not for sure. What connects Le Pen's party with the Kremlin (European Pravda)

https://www.eurointegration.com.ua/eng/articles/2025/09/17/7220329/

Confronting the Illicit-Finance Hydra in Crypto Markets: Protecting Retail Investors and Disrupting Hostile Government Exploitation (Alexander Browder for Henry Jackson Society)

https://henryjacksonsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/HJS-Crypto-Currency-Report-web-final.pdf

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

Thumbnail image credit: X/@front_ukrainian

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,595.

Ukraine strikes yet more Russian shadow fleet tankers in the Black Sea, bringing their total to more than 30 in just four days. Adelie reports on how Kyiv’s latest strikes on oil facilities has President Putin feeling the mounting frustration of ordinary Russians. Then we hear from our correspondents in Ankara who reflect on “a Nato summit of two halves,” where Donald Trump’s bombastic remarks about Greenland and Spain gave way to discord and, apparently, love in the Turkish capital. Finally, Latvia’s foreign minister looks ahead to the next meeting of Nato countries.

Contributors:

Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.

Sophie O’Sullivan (Telegraph journalist).

Sophia Yan (Senior Foreign Correspondent). @Sophia_yan on X.

Joe Barnes (Diplomatic Editor). @Barnes_Joe on X.

Roland Oliphant (Chief Foreign Analyst). @RolandOliphant on X.

Producer: Phil Atkins

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

North Korea Supplies Up to 40% of Russia's Artillery Shells, Ukrainian Intel Says (Kyiv Post)

https://www.kyivpost.com/post/79862

The Nato member powering Europe’s rearmament (Sophia Yan for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/09/how-turkey-became-new-pillar-european-defence/

Ukraine has ‘two months before Putin escalates war’ (Joe Barnes and Sophia Yan for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/09/ukraine-has-two-months-end-war-or-face-massive-escalation/

Listen to our sister podcast Iran: The Latest for updates on the conflict in the Middle East

https://linktr.ee/IranTheLatest

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,594.

Donald Trump has handed Ukraine permission to build its own Patriot missiles as he met with Volodymyr Zelensky at the Nato summit. It comes after the American president told the meeting in Ankara the US-Iran ceasefire was “over”, and said Washington would cut all trade ties with Spain as he met with Mark Rutte. Our team in Ankara has all the latest updates from a busy day in the Turkish capital. Dom and Francis discuss the former Ukrainian commander-in-chief’s piece for the Telegraph where he warns we mustn't “assume Russia has lost the war”. Later, Joe Barnes speaks exclusively to the Czech president Petr Pavl.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Joe Barnes (Diplomatic Editor). @Barnes_Joe on X.

Roland Oliphant (Chief Foreign Analyst). @RolandOliphant on X.

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Listen toIran: The Latestfor more from NATO and interview with Al Carns:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/iran-the-latest/id1712903296 

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7gPBO0qnZI1YBi25zaVT1c 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dk

Listen to Iran: The Latest for more from NATO:

https://linktr.ee/iranthelatest 

Telegraph Live Blog of the NATO Summit:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/08/us-iran-strikes-persian-gulf-nato-chief-summit-ankara/ 

Do not assume Russia has lost the war (Valerii Zaluzhnyi for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/08/ukraine-ambassador-do-not-assume-russia-has-lost-war/ 

Ankara Summit Declaration (NATO):

https://www.nato.int/en/about-us/official-texts-and-resources/official-texts/2026/07/08/the-ankara-summit-declaration?utm_source=multi&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ankara-declaration

Trump revives plan to buy Greenland (Connor Stringer, Joe Barnes and Tony Diver for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/07/trump-revives-plan-to-buy-greenland/  

Russia back in Olympics...World Cup could be next

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/olympics/2026/07/07/russia-olympic-ban-lifted/ 

The one sport moving against Russia is run by its ex-deputy PM (Euromaidan Press)

https://euromaidanpress.com/2026/07/06/fide-suspends-russia-malcolm-pein-interview/ 

NATO allies to sign a raft of missile deals with US companies (Politico)

https://www.politico.eu/article/nato-allies-to-sign-a-raft-of-missile-deals-with-us-companies/ 

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,593.

Today, as Ukraine reportedly launches one of the largest waves of air strikes inside Russia since the full-scale invasion began – while also targeting multiple Russian vessels in the Sea of Azov – we bring you the latest from the NATO summit in Turkey, where world leaders are gathering for what could prove one of the most consequential meetings of the war. What is really at stake for the alliance? How secure is continued US support for NATO? And what military commitments can realistically be expected that will strengthen President Volodymyr Zelensky’s hand, both on the battlefield and at the negotiating table, as pressure mounts on Vladimir Putin at home?

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Venetia Rainey (Host on Iran: The Latest). @Venetiarainey on X.

Roland Oliphant (Host on Iran: The Latest). @RolandOliphant on X.

Sophia Yan (Senior Foreign Correspondent). @Sophia_Yan on X.

With thanks to Lithuania’s representative to NATO, Darius Jauniskis, and former UK Armed Forces Minister, Al Carns MP.

Producer: Phil Atkins

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Listen toIran: The Latestfor more from NATO and interview with Al Carns:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/iran-the-latest/id1712903296 

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7gPBO0qnZI1YBi25zaVT1c 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dk

NATO Summit Live Blog (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/07/nato-summit-latest-ankara-turkey-starmer-trump/ 

Britain to lead European drive to build long-range Nato missiles (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/06/britain-lead-european-missile-project-reliance-us/ 

Sleeping families crushed by Putin’s trademark ‘double tap’ strike (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/06/sleeping-families-crushed-putin-trademark-double-tap-strike/ 

Woman suspected of Ukrainian tycoon bomb plot in Monaco shot dead (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/07/woman-suspected-of-ukrainian-tycoon-bomb-plot-monaco-shot/ 

How Britain let Europe down on defence (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/07/how-britain-let-europe-down-with-defence/ 

Erdogan crushes dissent before rolling out Nato red carpet (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/07/recep-erdogan-turkey-ankara-dissent-nato-summit-ankara/

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,592.

Ahead of the NATO summit in Turkey, Russia kills more Ukrainian civilians in the second mass aerial strike in four days. Moscow also claims they’ve taken the Donbas city of Kostiantynivka, then later says fighting is ongoing – Dom tries to decipher the conflicting reports. Then he has the latest on Ukraine’s most recent drone strikes against a St Petersburg oil terminal, as Russians consider refuelling in China amid petrol shortages across the country. And we hear from our team on the ground in Ankara before looking ahead to what we can expect from this year’s NATO summit, where Trump is expected to put pressure on allies over defence spending.

Contributors:

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Trump threatens NATO on eve of summit

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/07/05/trump-threatens-nato-on-eve-of-summit/

Putin faces a fork in the road (Memphis Barker for the Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/06/vladimir-putin-faces-fork-in-road-russia-ukraine/ 

Fuel shortages after Ukrainian drone attacks push Russians to refuel in China (RBC Ukraine)

https://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/fuel-shortages-push-russians-to-refill-their-1783332958.html 

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,589.

Russia’s fuel crisis continues, to the intense frustration of ordinary Russians, and to the delight of Ukrainians, who are trolling Russians by flooding a fuel availability app with fake reviews. After Ukraine’s attack on the NORSI oil refinery in Kstovo, 800km inside Russia, Alex Nichol reports on how Kyiv is shutting down more energy facilities in occupied areas. Adelie dives into reports that Moscow is planning an attack on Poland and the Baltics to test Nato. Plus, authorities in Germany have just accused Kyiv of sanctioning the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline attack. Finally we hear from Dr Jade McGlynn, occupied territories expert, on what comes next for Crimea – isolation or liberation?

Contributors:

Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.

Alex Nichol (Telegraph journalist).

Dr Jade McGlynn (Occupied Territories Expert, King’s College London).

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Russia planning attack on Poland to test Nato resolve, US warns (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/03/russia-planning-attack-on-poland-test-nato-resolve-us-warns/

Ukrainian refugees face eviction amid Poland and Kyiv spat (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/02/ukrainian-refugees-face-eviction-amid-poland-kyiv-spat/

EU shipyard races to service Putin’s LNG fleet before sanctions bite (Politico)

https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-shipyard-races-to-service-russia-vladimir-putin-lng-fleet-before-sanctions-bite/

The ‘Waze of Petrol’, according to Dr Jade McGlynn

https://estbenzin.ru/

Ukrainian Digital Media Archive

https://duma.org.ua/

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

Thumbnail image credit: Unmanned Systems Forces of Ukraine

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,588.

After Russia unleashes one of its deadliest attacks on Kyiv in recent weeks, killing at least 20 people and injuring dozens more, Dom reports on a city that knew the assault was coming hours in advance. He then examines a major new report alleging that Russia’s shadow fleet has been used not only to evade sanctions, but potentially to launch drones targeting military bases and civilian airports across Europe, raising profound new questions about the Kremlin’s hybrid war against the West. Later, Dom, Adelie and Francis answer your questions in the first edition of our new regular postbag segment.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.

Producer: Phil Atkins

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Listen to ‘Ernstfall: What if Russia Attacks NATO? Inside a German Wargame’ (featuring dubs from Francis Dearnley and James Rothwell): – 

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/ernstfall-what-if-russia-attacks-nato-inside-a/id6785429115 

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/033GHuBrh6zwl1mq4TVeY6?si=-RApaIauQXaQhD5tgzhD_g&nd=1&dlsi=50aee65f40c4451b 

Eighteen killed in massive Russian attack on Kyiv (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/02/ukraine-war-russia-attacks-kyiv-drones-missiles/ 

Russia’s UAV Campaign Over Europe (International Institute for Strategic Studies)

https://www.iiss.org/research-paper/2026/06/russias-uav-campaign-over-europe/ 

Russian drones spy on nuclear weapons in Britain (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/07/02/putin-shadow-tankers-drones-nuclear-weapons-russia-nato/ 

Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, July 1, 2026 (Institute for the Study of War)

https://understandingwar.org/research/russia-ukraine/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-july-1-2026/

Sanctioned Russian billionaire retains control of Aughinish parent company, Sweden finds (Irish Times)

https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026/07/01/sanctioned-russian-billionaire-retains-control-of-aughinish-parent-company-sweden-finds/

Russia buys gasoline from India to tackle shortages, sources say (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/russia-buys-gasoline-india-tackle-shortages-sources-say-2026-07-01/

Russia shuts railway border crossings with Finland, Estonia and Latvia (Politico)

https://www.politico.eu/article/russia-suspends-railway-border-crossings-finland-baltic-neighbors/ 

How likely is the use of nuclear weapons by Russia? (Chatham House)

https://www.chathamhouse.org/2022/03/how-likely-use-nuclear-weapons-russia

Russia’s Nuclear Signaling in 2026 and Implications for European Security (DGAP) 

https://dgap.org/en/research/publications/russias-nuclear-signaling-2026-and-implications-european-security

Nuclear Signaling since the beginning of the full-scale invasion (Ukraine: The Latest, February 3rd)

https://podcasts.apple.com/gr/podcast/putin-waits-until-kyiv-hits-20c-before-knocking-out/id1612424182?i=1000747895284

Postcards of the Front:

https://postcardstothefrontcanada.com/

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

Thumbnail image credit: Vlada.UA

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,587.

As more of Russia’s ground-based space infrastructure is launched by Ukraine into low earth orbit, eight days after the first such strike, Dom asks: where are the air defences? In the words of Ukrainian defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov it’s just “one crisis after another" for Russia, as he talks about the campaign to strangle Crimea. Meanwhile, Russian milbloggers are complaining that the life expectancy of a Russian soldier at the front is now about half an hour; criticisms that drew the remarkable response from the State Duma that Russian people should “just get on with it”. Russia analyst James Kilner reports on how fuel shortages are dominating life in the country. Later, David Miliband of the International Rescue Committee gives a glimpse of civilian life near the frontline.

Contributors:

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

James Kilner (Russia Analyst). @Jkjourno on X.

Adrian Blomfield (Telegraph Senior Foreign Correspondent). @adrianblomfield on X.

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Africans being tricked by Russia to fight in the killing forests of Ukraine (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/14/africans-tricked-russia-killing-forests-ukraine/

As the Tide Turns Against Putin, Beware the Drowning Man (Foreign Policy)

https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/06/25/russia-ukraine-war-putin-escalation-nato-europe/ 

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,586.

Today, as Vladimir Putin continues to make grossly exaggerated claims about Russia’s gains on the battlefield, we assess the latest military progress of both sides, before looking at the long-delayed and controversial defence investment plan finally announced by the British. More money for drones, autonomous systems, and artificial intelligence: but does it go far enough, and how close is London to hitting the 5% NATO target demanded by President Donald Trump? Then we hear what the citizens of Kyiv think about Ukraine being on the pathway to membership of the European Union, and report on a manhunt underway in southern France after a parcel bomb exploded at a residential building in neighbouring Monaco, injuring wealthy Ukrainian businessman Vadym Yermolaiev.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

James Crisp (Telegraph’s Europe Editor). @JamesCrisp6 on X.

Antonia Langford (Freelance Journalist in Kyiv). @Antonialford on X

Producer: Phil Atkins

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Gabby Colvin

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Listen to our sister podcast Iran: The Latest:

Video: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dk 

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/iran-the-latest/id1712903296 

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7gPBO0qnZI1YBi25zaVT1c

The battle to bring Europe’s biggest military into the EU (James Crisp, Antonia Langford and Joe Barnes for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/24/the-battle-to-bring-europes-biggest-military-into-the-eu/ 

Ukrainian tycoon injured in Monaco bombing (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/29/monaco-house-explosion-three-injured/ 

Meduza has identified over a thousand war veterans who have already received positions within the Russian government (Meduza, in Russian):

https://meduza.io/feature/2026/06/29/novaya-rossiyskaya-elita

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

Thumbnail image credit: Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU)

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,585.

After a weekend that saw Ukraine’s Constitution Day celebrated with yet more lengthy queues at petrol stations in Russia and Crimea – a situation not helped by Russian oil refineries continuing to self-sanction – Putin shrugs that these ‘difficult’ days are just a speed bump on the road to inevitable victory. Dom and Francis ponder on Alexander Lukashenko’s slightly odd weekend jaunt to China via Putin’s lakeside retreat in Valdai – at least we now know what all the extra air defence was shipped in for – and ask, is he looking for a new best friend? And finally, after news of a mass shooting in the northern German city of Stade, they speak to Berlin correspondent James Rothwell who has been reporting on NATO preparations for a possible future Battle of the Baltics.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

James Rothwell (Berlin Correspondent). @JamesERothwell on X.

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Gabby Colvin

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Putin: Russia is facing problems in Ukraine war (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/28/putin-russia-is-facing-problems-in-ukraine-war/ 

Nato prepares for the Battle of the Baltics (James Rothwell for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/23/nato-prepares-battle-baltics/ 

We’re ready to fight Russia tonight, vows head of German air force (James Rothwell for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/15/luftwaffe-chief-warns-russia-german-ready-to-fight-for-nato/ 

How German trains became the shame of a nation (James Rothwell for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/28/how-german-trains-became-the-shame-of-a-nation/ 

Germany considers return of military conscription (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/27/germany-considers-compulsory-conscription-defence-russia/ 

Turkey Offers to Host Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks (Kyiv Post)

https://www.kyivpost.com/post/79139 

Putin Says Expecting US Negotiators Once US Less Busy With Iran (Kyiv Post)

https://www.kyivpost.com/post/79177 

Serbian President Vučić says he will resign within ‘weeks’ (Politico)

https://www.politico.eu/article/serbian-president-vucic-says-he-will-resign-within-weeks/ 

Stray Ukraine drones worth the price of hitting Russia, says Estonian minister (Financial Times)

https://www.ft.com/content/f487526b-9646-456b-bccb-001f31090919?syn-25a6b1a6=1 

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,582.

Crimea declares a state of emergency after days of intense Ukrainian attacks, as footage shows thousands of cars queuing to leave the Russian-occupied peninsula. It comes as president Zelensky authorises a 40-day operation against Russia ‌“to press for an end to the war”, days before the Nato summit in Ankara. Alex Nichol reports on a major scandal as the commander of one of Ukraine’s largest assault units has been suspended amid allegations of abuse against recruits. Meanwhile, Roland Oliphant has the updates on Ukraine’s row with Poland; the EU’s plan to end refugee protections for some Ukrainians; and Moscow and Washington’s very different recollections of the Trump-Putin meeting in Anchorage.

Contributors:

Roland Oliphant (Telegraph’s Chief Foreign Analyst). @rolandoliphant on X.

Alex Nichol (Telegraph journalist). 

Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.

With thanks to Katarína Mathernová, EU Ambassador to Ukraine.

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

The “Skelya” assault regiment commented on the Babel investigation into torture and murders in the unit (Babel)

https://babel.ua/en/news/127978-the-skelya-assault-regiment-commented-on-the-babel-investigation-into-torture-and-murders-in-the-unit 

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,581.

As the clock ticks down on President Zelensky’s ultimatum to Belarus, Dom examines reports that the drone relay stations Kyiv accused Minsk of hosting have suddenly stopped working – and asks whether Lukashenko may be edging away from Putin. He also has the latest on Ukraine’s long-range strikes deep inside Russia, as France seizes another shadow fleet tanker and Kyiv presses its campaign to raise the cost of war for the Kremlin. Francis unpacks NATO secretary general Mark Rutte’s visit to Donald Trump in the Oval Office. Later, we take you to Gdańsk for the Ukraine Recovery Conference, where the first tranche of the EU’s €90 billion support package is formally handed over to Kyiv.

Contributors: 

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

With thanks to Orysia Lutsevych, head of the Ukraine Forum at Chatham House.

Producer: Phil Atkins

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Orysia Lutsevych’s Chatham House paper, ‘Why a ‘whole-of-society’ model is essential for Ukraine’s recovery’:

https://www.chathamhouse.org/2026/06/why-whole-society-model-essential-ukraines-recovery 

«Дураки за деньги закончились»: как российские власти пытаются решить проблему нехватки контрактников (Vertska, in Russian)

https://verstka.media/kak-rossiiskie-vlasti-pytayutsya-reshit-problemu-nehvatki-kontraktnikov

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,580.

Today, after days of memes and mounting panic across Russia, Vladimir Putin finally breaks his silence on last week’s dramatic strikes on Moscow – insisting they are not a sign of vulnerability, but proof of Russian strength on the battlefield. Dom reports on the remarkable own goal from Russia’s defence ministry, which appears to have done Zelensky’s press office a favour by detailing just how many targets Ukrainian forces have hit in the last 24 hours. We also examine growing frustration in Moscow as the Kremlin accuses the United States of failing to honour the Trump–Putin “understandings” that were supposed to shape the next phase of diplomacy. And later, we get an update from one of the leading campaigners pushing to unlock billions of dollars in frozen Russian assets for Ukraine’s defence and reconstruction. 

Contributors: 

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

James Kilner (Russia Analyst). @Jkjourno on X.

Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.

With thanks to Hugo Dixon of 'The Russian Transfer'.

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Chris January

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Reported Gasoline Shortages in Russian Federal Subjects and Occupied Ukrainian Territories as of June 23, 2026 (Institute for the Study of War):

https://understandingwar.org/map/reported-gasoline-shortages-in-russian-federal-subjects-and-occupied-ukrainian-territories-as-of-june-23-2026/ 

Hugo Dixon’s initiative ‘The Russian Transfer’: moving Moscow’s account from Belgium:

https://www.therussiantransfer.com/

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,579.

Today, as reports emerge that Donald Trump urged President Zelensky to act “more boldly” towards Russia, the clock is ticking on Ukraine’s threat to target drone relay stations in Belarus that Kyiv says are helping facilitate attacks on Ukrainian territory. We examine the Kremlin’s extraordinary demand that Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko travel to Moscow for advice on protecting his country’s sovereignty – a suggestion that reveals much about the true nature of Russia’s relationship with its closest ally. We also bring you the latest Ukrainian strikes aimed at isolating Crimea, exposing the vulnerability of Russian supply routes as drones hunt convoys and pontoon crossings with increasing impunity. And later, in an exclusive interview, we speak to the European Union’s first Defence Commissioner about Europe’s plans to counter an increasingly aggressive Russia, strengthen continental security, and support Ukraine for the long haul.

Contributor: 

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Producer: Phil Atkins

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Chris January

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

The European talks to create a Nato plan B (Joe Barnes for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/22/europe-rearms-european-talks-to-create-nato-replacement/ 

Poland tells Britain: Pay up for defence or risk global irrelevance (Adrian Blomfield for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/23/poland-tells-britain-pay-defence-risk-global-irrelevance/

Chalke Festival (this Friday):

https://www.chalkefestival.com/   

Ukrainian Institute London’s Summer Garden Party (this Saturday):

https://uil.org.uk/events/uil-summer-garden-party/

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,578.

As fresh waves of drones are reported heading towards Moscow, Francis and Dom examine Ukraine’s escalating campaign against Crimea, where new strikes on key infrastructure have prompted restrictions on civilian fuel purchases as some residents attempt to flee the occupied peninsula. They also assess President Zelensky’s ultimatum to Belarus, threatening to target communications equipment helping guide Russian drone strikes. Then, in Britain, Francis unpacks the political shockwaves following Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation and Dom looks at what his likely successor Andy Burnham has said about support for Ukraine.

Contributors: 

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Chris January

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Vladimir Putin’s war machine sputters in drone age (Financial Times)

https://www.ft.com/content/b409d72f-ccff-4952-8b71-dfd62d75a1cd?syn-25a6b1a6=1 

Read more of The Telegraph’s coverage of Keir Starmer’s resignation:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2026/06/22/keir-starmer-resignation-labour-burnham-streeting-no-10/

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2026/06/22/the-last-thing-country-needs-stalemate-until-september/ 

And listen to or watch The Daily T podcast:

https://linktr.ee/thedailytpodcast

Chalke Festival

https://www.chalkefestival.com/ 

Ukrainian Institute London’s Summer Garden Party

https://uil.org.uk/events/uil-summer-garden-party/ 

Thumbnail image credit: X/@front_ukrainian/Telegram/@other_nikopol

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,575.

After one of the most significant raids of the war left a cloud hanging over Moscow – in every sense – we report a fresh Ukrainian drone attack targeting the Russian capital. As the true extent of the chaos and confusion is revealed, new footage shows the blast at the Moscow oil refinery from a different angle, and indicates the true reason for the huge explosion. Will Vladimir Putin address the public? Later, the team examines the latest donations of military equipment to Kyiv at major meetings of Western leaders. Finally, Dr Jade McGlynn brings us her regular updates from the resistance operating inside occupied territories.

Contributors:

Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Dr Jade McGlynn (Occupied Territories Expert, King’s College London).

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: James England

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

How Ukraine found a way through Moscow’s air defences (Antonia Langford for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/18/how-ukraine-found-a-way-through-moscows-air-defences/ 

Russia vows ‘massive’ retaliation for largest attack on Moscow since war began (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/18/ukraine-hits-moscow-oil-refinerylargest-attack-two-years/ 

EU struggles to define Ukraine role (Euractiv)

https://www.euractiv.com/news/eu-struggles-to-define-ukraine-role/ 

Some EU leaders furious at Costa official’s calls with the Kremlin (Politico)

https://www.politico.eu/article/some-eu-leaders-furious-antonio-costa-official-pedro-lourtie-kremlin-calls/

Costa outreach to Russia was ‘misguided,’ Estonian PM says (Politico)

https://www.politico.eu/article/antonio-costa-outreach-russia-misguided-estonia-prime-minister-kristen-michal/

L’influente Xenia Fedorova, ancienne directrice de RT France et désormais protégée de Vincent Bolloré (Le Monde)

https://www.lemonde.fr/politique/article/2026/05/26/l-influente-xenia-fedorova-ancienne-directrice-de-rt-france-et-desormais-protegee-de-vincent-bollore_6693959_823448.html?search-type=classic&ise_click_rank=3

Maxime Audinet : « Xenia Fedorova relaie activement et sans ambiguïté les récits russes, et les adapte aux audiences françaises » (INA La Revue des Médias)

https://larevuedesmedias.ina.fr/xenia-fedorova-influence-russe-cnews-jdnews-bollore

La propagandiste russe Xenia Fedorova en majesté chez Bolloré, le gouvernement dans la nasse (Mediapart)

https://www.mediapart.fr/journal/politique/310526/la-propagandiste-russe-xenia-fedorova-en-majeste-chez-bollore-le-gouvernement-dans-la-nasse

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,574.

Today, as President Zelensky declares that “if Ukraine burns, so will Moscow”, we report on a wave of strikes inside Russia that have produced some of the most dramatic images of the war so far, with more than 1,000 drones sowing destruction across multiple regions. Then, after a prominent MAGA influencer admits she fell for Russian propaganda, we ask whether Putin’s continued attacks on religious and cultural sites in Ukraine may finally be seen for what they are by the Christian Right in the United States. And after the Russian president appears to answer criticism that he is isolated and afraid of meeting ordinary people, we take a closer look at footage of an apparently spontaneous walkabout that raised eyebrows when a security guard was overheard referring to “background actors”. Throughout the episode, we'll be joined by our friendly RAND analyst to help make sense of the latest military and technological developments shaping Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

With thanks to RAND engineer Michael Bohnert.

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Moscow burns after Ukraine attacks Russia with 1,000 drones (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/18/ukraine-hits-moscow-oil-refinerylargest-attack-two-years/ 

Putin’s adoring crowd accidentally outed as ‘extras’ by bodyguard (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/18/putins-adoring-crowd-accidentally-outed-as-extras-bodyguard/ 

Almost 70% of Ukrainians expect Zelensky to be replaced after war, poll shows (Kyiv Independent)

https://kyivindependent.com/almost-70-of-ukrainians-expect-zelensky-to-be-replaced-after-the-war-poll-shows/?mc_cid=d2d0ed0168&mc_eid=08d0680a95 

Belarus' Lukashenko says both sides must compromise to end Russia-Ukraine war (Reuters):

https://www.reuters.com/world/belarus-lukashenko-says-both-sides-must-compromise-end-russia-ukraine-war-2026-06-16/ 

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,573.

Today, after a Russian warship fires warning shots at an unarmed vessel in the English Channel, we take you to the G7 Summit, where observers are describing a “turning point” in perceptions of Ukraine’s progress in the war, as it continues to batter Russian infrastructure and strangle Crimea. We hear live from the ground about what has been unlocked for Kyiv, and later – in our regular segment on life inside Russia – we ask why Vladimir Putin may (or may not) be cracking down on organised crime at a time when public dissatisfaction is reportedly growing and his popularity plummeting.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Joe Barnes (Diplomatic Editor). @Barnes_Joe on X.

James Kilner (Russia Analyst). @Jkjourno on X.

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Give us Patriot blueprints so we can make our own, Zelensky tells Trump (Joe Barnes The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/16/zelensky-patriot-blueprints-trump/ 

Russian warship fires shots at yacht in Channel (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/06/16/russian-warship-fired-warning-shot-at-yacht-in-channel/ 

Warning shots should be a last resort. This is a dangerous escalation (Dom Nicholls in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/06/16/russian-warning-shots-channel-dangerous-escalation/ 

Anti-Putin artist shot dead in Poland car park ‘execution’ (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/16/anti-putin-artist-shot-dead-in-poland-car-park-execution/ 

Sending fuel trucks up in flames, Ukraine tries to cut off Crimea (New York Times):

ttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/17/world/europe/russia-ukraine-crimea-fuel-shortages.html 

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,572.

Today, as Donald Trump tells the G7 summit that “Russia should make a deal”, we examine what this apparent shift in tone from the US president could mean for Ukraine, and what President Volodymyr Zelensky can realistically hope to achieve from this crucial gathering – perhaps even a face-to-face meeting with Vladimir Putin. We also ask how Ukrainian drones continue to penetrate Moscow’s formidable air defences, after another strike reportedly hit a Russian oil refinery and disrupted operations at airports across the capital. We report on allegations that a Russian diplomat was involved in an arson attack targeting the home of Britain’s Prime Minister, and later speak to the independent journalist leading an investigation into an Irish manufacturing plant accused of supplying components that may be helping to sustain Putin’s war machine.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

With thanks to Caolan Robertson. @CaolanReports on X.

Producer: Phil Atkins

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Our sister podcast Iran: The Latest:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/iran--the-latest/

G7 Live Blog:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/16/g7-summit-latest-news-trump-ukraine-iran-war-peace-deal/

Russian diplomat ‘linked to Starmer firebomb attack’ (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/06/15/russia-firebombers-verdict-london-ukraine-keir-starmer/ 

Britain to supply Ukraine with more nuclear fuel (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/15/britain-to-supply-ukraine-with-more-nuclear-fuel/ 

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,571.

In what could prove one of the most consequential weeks of the year for international diplomacy, Francis and Dom assess what a ceasefire in Iran might mean for the war – and whether it could help unlock a pathway towards peace after another bloody weekend in which a Russian attack left one of Kyiv’s most historic cathedrals in flames. They also examine the significance of British Royal Marines boarding and seizing a Russian shadow fleet tanker, and report the latest on Ukraine’s EU negotiations as formal accession talks kick off today. Finally, Dom considers the sweeping military reforms now being undertaken by Kyiv that could have profound consequences for Ukraine’s armed forces and those fighting on the frontline.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: James England

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Our sister podcast Iran: The Latest: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/iran--the-latest/

Trump negotiators to visit Moscow after birthday call with Putin (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/14/iran-ukraine-g7-witkoff-kushner-russia/ 

Russia bombs historic Kyiv cathedral (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/15/russia-bombs-kyiv-cathedral/ 

Royal Marines seize Russian shadow fleet tanker in Channel (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/06/14/british-armed-forces-russian-oil-tanker-english-channel/ 

Inside six-hour mission to storm Putin’s shadow oil tanker (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/06/14/inside-six-hour-mission-to-storm-russias-shadow-oil-tanker/ 

EU countries weigh ‘tearing apart’ bloc’s diplomatic service (Financial Times)

https://www.ft.com/content/a7278d93-98fc-4fa7-a14c-d0c089b693dd?syn-25a6b1a6=1 

Russian MP warns Putin: We’re on the brink of social collapse (Antonia Langford for the Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/13/russian-mp-warns-putin-were-on-the-brink-of-social-collapse/ 

It Was Meant to Unify. Now the G7 Is Dogged by Chaos and Divided by Trump (New York Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/14/world/europe/g7-summit-evian-trump.html 

Donald Trump stages show of political domination with UFC bout on White House lawn (Financial Times)

https://www.ft.com/content/11f71770-5872-4769-9ea5-a21f12151e10?syn-25a6b1a6=1 

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,568.

As Putin marks Russia Day by handing out state prizes, including to a former human rights commissioner who’s been sanctioned for gross human rights violations, Ukraine chose to celebrate the big day by launching attacks across Russia. Dom reports how repeated Ukrainian strikes have reduced traffic along the critical supply corridor to Crimea by nearly three quarters, and looks at the latest European diplomatic overtures to the Kremlin. Later, Adelie interviews two charities that rescue animals from the frontline.

Contributors:

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.

With thanks to:

Yuriy Tokarski, CEO of U-Hearts Foundation and Yaryna Vintoniuk and Yuliana Symchych of Animal Rescue Kharkiv.

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: James England

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Exclusive: Ukraine's drone commander wants to cut Crimea off from Russia (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraines-drone-commander-wants-cut-crimea-off-russia-2026-06-11/ 

Learn more about Animal Rescue Kharkiv:

https://youtube.com/@animalrescuekharkiv?si=eXf93VmXprnAGoMb

https://www.facebook.com/spt.kh/

https://www.instagram.com/animal.rescue.kharkiv.en

https://www.animalrescuekharkiv.org/

Learn more about U-Hearts Foundation:

https://u-hearts.com/

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many on air and in our newsletter as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,567.

As Ukraine intensifies its campaign against Crimea by striking key bridges and transport links in an effort to isolate the peninsula, we examine potentially seismic political developments in London. Britain’s Defence Secretary John Healey – one of Kyiv’s strongest allies and a leading advocate for military rearmament – has dramatically resigned in protest over defence spending and the country’s preparedness for a future conflict, triggering a crisis that could topple the Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Francis and Dom comb through Healey’s damning resignation letter and consider how Kyiv will react to the news. Later, Francis explores a major new report on the risks of a sudden ceasefire in Ukraine with some of the world’s leading experts.

Thumbnail image shows Crimean bridge ablaze in 2022.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

With thanks to:

Orysia Lutsevych OBE (head of the Ukraine Forum, Chatham House)

Simon Smith (chair of the steering committee, Ukraine Forum, Chatham House, and British ambassador 2012 to 2015)

Keir Giles (senior consulting fellow, Russia and Eurasia Programme, Chatham House, and author Who Will Defend Europe?)

John Lough (associate fellow, Chatham House, and head of foreign policy, New Eurasian Strategies Centre)

Producer: Phil Atkins

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: James England

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

John Healey resigns over Starmer’s defence spending plan (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2026/06/11/john-healey-resigns-as-defence-secretary-labour-starmer/ 

Russia is creating launch sites for combat drones near the borders of Belarus. We show you where (Radio Liberty, in Belarusian):

https://www.svaboda.org/a/33777451.html 

How a Russia–Ukraine ceasefire could imperil Ukrainian and European security (Chatham House):

https://www.chathamhouse.org/2026/05/how-russia-ukraine-ceasefire-could-imperil-ukrainian-and-european-security

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many on air and in our newsletter as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,566.

As Putin installs yet more anti-drone defences around his mistress’ lakeside retreat north west of Moscow, Ukraine shows there are still glaring holes in the Russian air defence network with deep strikes on oil refineries and weapons factories elsewhere across the country. The main bridge linking to occupied Crimea from Kherson oblast has been hit again, this time reportedly closing it completely, leaving Russian authorities – in the words of one Ukrainian official – ‘trying to conceal the situation’ now in Crimea. And later, after Sunday’s election of western-leaning Nikol Pashinyan in Armenia, Dom speaks to Russia and Caucasus analyst James Kilner to ask how significant the result is, and why Mr Pashinyan may actually be left feeling slightly deflated.

Contributors:

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

James Kilner (Russia Analyst). @Jkjourno on X.

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: James England

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many on air and in our newsletter as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,565.

As Russian forces reportedly withdraw from part of the southern Ukrainian frontline amid mounting supply problems, Francis and Dom examine claims that logistics networks in the sector are approaching breaking point. Dom reports on a huge explosion in Russia’s Belgorod region and a car bomb in Moscow Oblast, as the war’s effects continue to be felt far beyond the battlefield. Then they assess the EU’s proposed 21st sanctions package, including plans to ban Russian military personnel from entering the bloc, and consider what a two-tier Europe – allowing some countries affiliate membership without full participation in all EU structures – would mean. Later, Ruben Stewart of the International Institute for Strategic Studies explores what a war between NATO and Russia might look like if the US were to withdraw from the alliance.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

With thanks to Ruben Stewart, Senior Fellow for Land Warfare at the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

Producer: Phil Atkins

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: James England

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, June 8, 2026 (Institute for the Study of War)

https://understandingwar.org/research/russia-ukraine/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-june-8-2026/

The Ukrainian weapons boom catching Putin off guard (Verity Bowman for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/09/ukrainian-weapons-boom-catching-putin-off-guard/ 

Zelensky invites King to Ukraine for state visit (Ruby Cline for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/09/ukrainian-president-zelensky-state-visit-king-charles/ 

Read the Irish Times’ coverage of the Aughinish Alumina story: https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/aughinish-alumina/ 

Berlin declares Franco-German fighter jet project dead in blow to Macron (Politico)

https://www.politico.eu/article/berlin-declares-france-germany-next-gen-fighter-jet-project-dead/ 

Prosecute Orbán’s inner circle over ‘stolen’ billions, Hungary’s anti-corruption watchdog says (Politico)

https://www.politico.eu/article/hungary-watchdog-urges-probe-viktor-orban-officials-over-missing-eu-funds/ 

EU quota system ‘could kill Ukrainian steel industry’, boss says (The Guardian)

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/jun/09/eu-quota-ukrainian-steel-industry-metinvest 

Ukrainian Drones Now Autonomously Down Shaheds (Kyiv Post)

https://www.kyivpost.com/post/77764

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many on air and in our newsletter as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,564.

After Vladimir Putin rejects President Zelensky’s offer in his letter last week of face to face talks, claiming he doesn’t need a ceasefire as he’s on the verge of victory – plot spoiler, he does and he isn’t – the political momentum in support of Kyiv continues, with the leaders of Ukraine, France and Germany in London for talks hosted by Britain’s Prime Minister. Then Putin suffers another blow with a victory for the west-leaning incumbent leader in Armenia’s election and there are more attacks on Putin’s home city of St Petersburg, his beloved Sochi, and on one of the main bridges to Crimea.

Contributors:

Dom Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: James England

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many on air and in our newsletter as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,561.

Today, Adelie and Dom look at how Ukraine continues embarrassing Russia during its three-day International Economic Forum, as Zelensky publishes an open letter to Vladimir Putin where he points out Russia’s weaknesses. He again asks the Russian president for a face-to-face meeting to bring the war to an end. As we record the episode, Putin is set to take the stage in St Petersburg. Then, we discuss China’s increasing involvement enabling the occupation in the occupied territories and how the Ukrainian resistance may have contributed to Ukraine’s successful mid-range campaign.

Contributors:

Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @adeliepjz on X.

Dom Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Dr Jade McGlynn (Occupied Territories Expert, King’s College London).

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Max Bower

Social Producer: Katie Inglis

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Full text of Zelensky's open letter to Putin

https://kyivindependent.com/full-text-of-zelenskys-open-letter-to-putin/

'Just a show for Putin' — Inside the 2026 St. Petersburg Economic Forum (Kyiv Independent)

https://kyivindependent.com/just-a-show-for-putin-inside-the-2026-st-petersburg-economic-forum/

Russia is flooding Ukraine with fake migrant stories — and it's working (Kyiv Independent)

https://kyivindependent.com/inside-the-campaign-behind-ukraines-migrant-influx-panic/

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many on air and in our newsletter as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,560.

Today, Sweden impounds a Russian cargo ship allegedly exporting Ukrainian grain from occupied territories. Then, as images of the results of yesterday’s Ukrainian strikes in and around St Petersburg start to appear, Marco Rubio denies any knowledge at all of a US delegation at the nearby economic forum, just as said participants show that they really don’t like the press asking them questions one little bit. Dom reports how Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte has directly addressed Russian men, telling them that if they go to fight in Ukraine “you’ll be left to suffer in the mud and die”, and Lily looks at a tight vote in the US House of Representatives over Ukraine funding that managed, just, to get over the line. And later, we go hull down with Hamish de Bretton Gordon looking at his new book about tanks and ask: given the lessons we’re learning from Ukraine, is his book out of date already, or released just in the nick of time?

Contributors: 

Dom Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Lily Shanagher (Telegraph journalist). @lilyshanagher on X.

With thanks to Hamish de Bretton-Gordon.

Producer: Phil Atkins

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Katie Inglis

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Rebuilding U.S. Missile Inventory: A Multiyear Project (Centre for Strategic and International Studies)

https://www.csis.org/analysis/rebuilding-us-missile-inventory-multiyear-project

'Heavy attack' hits Zaporizhzhia Thermal Power Plant, IAEA says (Kyiv Independent)

https://kyivindependent.com/heavy-attack-hits-zaporizhzhia-thermal-power-plant-serving-russian-occupied-nuclear-plant-iaea-says/ 

Peter Magyar interview with Allgemeine Zeitung (in German)

https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/ausland/peter-magyar-im-interview-wo-orban-recht-hatte-accg-200892861.html

Hamish’s book Tank Command: How the Tank Changed the Face of Battle is out now:

https://linktr.ee/TankCommand

Russia considers working age of 12 to solve wartime jobs crisis (Antonia Langford for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/04/russia-considers-working-age-12-to-solve-wartime-job-crisis/

Putin is under pressure as the Ukraine war finally comes to Moscow and St Petersburg (Hamish de Bretton-Gordon for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/06/04/putin-russia-st-petersburg-drone-strikes-moscow-casualties/

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many on air and in our newsletter as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,559.

Today, smoke billows over St Petersburg after Ukraine hits an oil terminal and military facilities, embarrassing Putin on the opening day of his International Economic Forum. Ukraine continues its mid-range and long-range strike campaign as Russia’s economy is bailed out by oligarchs. Finally, we hear from one of our reporters who bravely attempted to train with the Royal Marines snipers and how their unit is adapting for the future of warfare. 

Contributors: 

Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @adeliepjz on X.

Alex Nichol (Telegraph journalist).

With thanks to the Telegraph’s deputy global security editor Arthur Scott-Geddes.

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Katie Inglis

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

US, NATO allies to launch scaled-back Baltic Sea drills (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/world/us-nato-allies-launch-scaled-back-baltic-sea-drills-2026-06-02/ 

Russian weapons plant in flames after Ukrainian attack in Tambov Oblast (Kyiv Independent)

https://kyivindependent.com/russian-weapons-plant-in-flames-after-ukrainian-attack-in-tambov-oblast/

Future presence of US troops in Lithuania is 'under review,' says minister (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/future-presence-us-troops-lithuania-is-under-review-says-minister-2026-06-02/

Ukraine’s Zelenskyy set to attend G7 summit in France (Politico)

https://www.politico.eu/article/ukraine-volodymyr-zelenskyy-attend-g7-summit-france/ 

Billionaires have begun making voluntary contributions to the budget (Expert.ru)

https://expert.ru/ekonomika/milliardery-nachali-perevodit-v-byudzhet-dobrovolnye-vznosy

I learnt to be a Royal Marines sniper (Arthur Scott-Geddes for The Telegraph) 

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/06/03/marine-sniper-training-arbroath/

Dom’s interview with a Ukrainian sniper on hunting Russian tanks at night, PTSD and handling trauma: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3un6JguaOE 

The Royal Marines Charity 

https://rma-trmc.org/ 

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many on air and in our newsletter as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,558.

Today, as more civilians across Ukraine are murdered by Russia in the latest mass aerial attack we look to the US for a response, given Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio last week that Russia planned only to strike Ukrainian "decision-making centers". We ask, again, when the United Nations is going to take a meaningful interest in the war, and look at the continuing diplomatic spat between Ukraine and Poland. And later, we examine possibly the most consequential election for Putin in years: this weekend’s contest in Armenia and a, perhaps surprising, intervention by Donald Trump.

Contributors: 

Dom Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Venetia Rainey (Telegraph journalist and host on Iran: The Latest). @venetiarainey on X.

James Kilner (Russia Analyst). @Jkjourno on X.

Producer: Phil Atkins

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Katie Inglis

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Listen to our sister podcast, Iran: The Latest: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/iran--the-latest/

Read the Irish Times’ coverage of the Aughinish Alumina story: https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/aughinish-alumina/

Magyar signals Ukraine reset ahead of expected talks with Zelenskyy next week (Politico)

https://www.politico.eu/article/hungary-peter-magyar-ukraine-volodymyr-zelenskyy-upcoming-talks/

Danish shipyard still servicing LNG tankers for Russia trade (Financial Times)

https://www.ft.com/content/945c6085-e14a-4acb-8e41-3986e7486480?syn-25a6b1a6=1

Russian Officer Accused of Bucha Atrocities Secures Candidate Slot for Parliament Elections (United 24 Media) 

https://united24media.com/world/russian-officer-accused-of-bucha-atrocities-secures-candidate-slot-for-parliament-elections-19382

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many on air and in our newsletter as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,557.

Today, after a weekend that saw Russian ships hit by drones, hit by drones and hit by drones again, it ended with another Russian ship being seized by abseiling Frenchmen. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s “logistics lockdown” continued, leading to fuel rationing in Crimea and more Russian oil refineries self-sanctioning in very dramatic ways; no wonder Putin’s Finance Minister has said Russia’s spending on the war has gone two trillion rubles over budget.

Contributors: 

Dom Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Sophie O’Sullivan (Telegraph journalist).

Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @adeliepjz on X.

With thanks to Stergios-Aristoteles Mitoulis (Associate Professor of engineering at the Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction at UCL). @DrMitoulis on X.

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Gezim Hilaj

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Russia overspends on Putin’s war in Ukraine by $28bn (The Financial Times)

https://www.ft.com/content/93674b5c-06ea-4e49-a005-dc08e1091574?syn-25a6b1a6=1 

Inside the schools preparing Ukrainian children for war (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/05/31/inside-the-schools-preparing-ukrainian-children-for-war/ 

For more information on Professor Mitoulis’s work, follow the links below:

Bridge Ukraine: https://bridgeukraine.org/

Meta Infrastructure: https://metainfrastructure.org/

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many on air and in our newsletter as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,554.

Today, as Romania kicks Russian diplomats out of the country following a drone strike last night that has injured civilians in the eastern city of Galati, we ask, why is it so easy for Romania to name the perpetrator of such attacks when others still seek to avoid apportioning blame. We then look at reports Russia is continuing to be hit hard on the southern corridor, including now by drone-landed mines, followed by the second part of Francis’s special dispatch from the La Biannale art festival in Venice, today looking at the decision to permit the reopening of the Russian Pavilion and his encounter with Pussy Riot. And we finish with an audio dispatch from me, after my visit to a prisoner of war camp in western Ukraine. 

Contributors:

Dom Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

With thanks to the soldiers, artists, and curators at the ‘Still Joy’ exhibition in Venice, and to Nadya Tolokonnikova of Pussy Riot.

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

Additional thanks to Tom Steed and Natalia Makohon for dubbing.

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Dom’s full documentary interviewing POWs:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJwjbWheClk 

Francis’s first dispatch from Venice and La Biennale:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ay2UT-SeKDI 

Learn more about ‘Resistance Imprisoned’:

https://www.ritschfisch.com/exhibition/resistance-imprisoned/ 

Learn more about the PinchukArtCentre’s exhibition ‘Still Joy’ (running until 1st August):

https://pinchukartcentre.org/en/exhibitions/still-joy-from-ukraine-into-the-world-biennale-arte-2026 

Russian drone hits Romanian apartment block in ‘grave escalation’ (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/05/29/russia-ukraine-war-drone-strikes-romanian-apartment-nato/ 

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk . We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many on air and in our newsletter as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,554.

Today, as a senior intelligence chief cites a considerably higher figure of Russian deaths than has previously been cited, there are a raft of announcements from Ukraine’s allies that will see new fighter jets and Patriot missiles available to Kyiv, as the country suffers a new wave of strikes. Then – in a special dispatch – Francis takes you to Venice for our first film looking at the decision of the La Biannale art festival to permit the reopening of the Russian Pavilion, and exploring the work of Ukrainian artists in wartime.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

With thanks to the soldiers, artists, and curators at the ‘Still Joy’ exhibition in Venice. Additional thanks to Sophie O’Sullivan for video production, Phil Atkins for audio production and to Tom Steed and Natalia Makohon for dubbing.

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Learn more about the PinchukArtCentre’s exhibition ‘Still Joy’ at La Biennale (running until 1st August):

https://pinchukartcentre.org/en/exhibitions/still-joy-from-ukraine-into-the-world-biennale-arte-2026 

Britain and Poland to manufacture missile under new military pact (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/05/27/britain-poland-manufacture-missile-under-new-military-pact/

Putin arms Russian banks to combat Ukrainian drone attacks (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2026/05/27/putin-arms-russian-banks-to-combat-ukrainian-drone-attacks/ 

GCHQ puts AI in charge of stopping cyber attacks (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/05/27/gchq-ai-stopping-cyber-attacks-keast-butler-humans-threat/ 

Europe should not negotiate Ukraine peace, insists Norway (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/05/28/europe-should-not-negotiate-ukraine-peace-insists-norway/ 

Exclusive: How US ambassador's preplanned trip caused a diplomatic scandal in Kyiv and Brussels (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/exclusive-how-us-ambassadors-preplanned-trip-caused-a-diplomatic-scandal-in-kyiv-and-brussels/

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk . We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many on air and in our newsletter as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,553.

Today, in the aftermath of one of the most intense aerial assaults on Ukraine of the entire war, we report on fresh strikes against Russia’s Tuapse oil refinery – the site of the extraordinary “manmade volcano” that has become symbolic of Kyiv’s campaign against Moscow’s energy infrastructure. Antonia Langford joins us live from Kyiv after witnessing ballistic missile attacks on the capital firsthand. We also examine the shrinking number of countries contributing to the Czech-led ammunition initiative, which now supplies around half of Ukraine’s artillery ammunition, and assess Britain’s attempt to regain control of the political narrative after last week’s easing of sanctions on Russia by unveiling new measures targeting cryptocurrency networks accused of financing Putin’s war machine.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Antonia Langford (Freelance Journalist in Kyiv). @Antonialford on X.

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Learn more about ‘Ukraine Focus’:

https://ukrainefocus.org/ 

How a bombed-out café became a symbol of hope in Kyiv (Antonia Langford for The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/05/25/how-a-bombed-out-cafe-became-a-symbol-of-hope-in-kyiv/ 

UK sanctions crypto networks funding Putin’s war machine (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2026/05/26/uk-sanctions-crypto-networks-funding-putins-war-machine/ 

Does the "White Tiger" scene pose a new terrorist threat? (Der Speigel):

https://www.spiegel.de/netzwelt/web/white-tiger-droht-aus-der-szene-eine-neue-terrorgefahr-a-2a91696d-9746-40c1-8c30-a189f1fa7c01 

Donald Trump’s Board of Peace fund is empty (Financial Times):

https://www.ft.com/content/5ba3bd2c-0e0e-4306-84be-99d6d89b0d49?syn-25a6b1a6=1 

Nine countries pull out of Ukraine ammunition coalition (Financial Times):

https://www.ft.com/content/f5dd7bd9-6da8-438b-bf80-1f942b91333d?syn-25a6b1a6=1 

Zelensky’s top negotiator flies to Berlin for talks with Germany, France, UK (POLITICO):

https://www.politico.eu/article/volodymyr-zelenskyy-top-negotiator-rustem-umerov-in-berlin-for-ukraine-peace-talks/ 

Exclusive: Zelensky sends Trump urgent letter warning of Ukraine's critical missile defense shortages (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-sends-trump-urgent-letter-warning-of-critical-missile-defense-shortages/ 

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk . We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many on air and in our newsletter as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,552.

Today, as Russia plays the victim, claiming its latest mass attack that killed and injured civilians over the weekend was a ‘retaliation’ for a Ukrainian attack, we ask who the audiences are for such cynical mischaracterisation. We report on Ukraine’s continued mid-range strike campaign that has forced Russia to limit traffic on the land corridor to Crimea and look at the upcoming NATO summit as the Secretary General says Britain, France and others have scuppered a proposal for allies to spend a quarter of one per cent of GDP on military aid for Ukraine. And later, we hear from our regular Russia expert about how there is speculation Putin is losing his power of speech.

Contributors:

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

James Kilner (Russia Analyst). @Jkjourno on X.

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Putin burns through his best missiles in desperate Ukraine fightback (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/05/26/putin-burns-through-his-best-missiles-in-ukraine-fightback/ 

Britain rejects Nato plan for extra Ukraine military aid (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/05/24/britain-rejects-nato-plan-for-extra-ukraine-military-aid/ 

Putin’s mid-air hijackings turn Ukraine’s drones against Europe (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/05/22/putin-mid-air-hijackings-turn-ukraine-drones-against-europe/ 

Revealed: The secret suburban life of Britain’s greatest Cold War spy (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/05/26/revealed-the-secret-suburban-life-of-britains-greatest-cold/ 

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk . We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many on air and in our newsletter as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,548.

Today, as the US administration reveals details of its participation in Vladimir Putin’s flagship business and investment forum, Russia and Belarus conclude major nuclear exercises just as Ukraine continues its campaign of strikes against oil and gas infrastructure near Moscow. We also examine Kyiv’s latest act of political trolling: a “Refinery Advent Calendar” tracking how many Russian energy targets Ukrainian forces have hit this month alone. And later, Dom reflects on a day spent deep inside a secret section of the London Underground, where he interviewed a senior NATO commander who warns that while Russia’s forces may not be unbeatable, they are now far more battle-hardened, battle-tested, and lethal than they were at the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022.

NOTE: Monday 25th is a Bank Holiday in the UK. Normal service will resume on Tuesday.

Contributors:

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

With thanks to Lieutenant General Michael Richard Elviss, CB, MBE – commander of NATO’s Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC).

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Dom’s Video interview with top NATO commander in secret London base:

https://youtu.be/vEKtKqMs-9E?si=Cp-3GOrW_dUcrLYG

Putin’s attack on Hungarians in Ukraine marks new phase of war (Verity Bowman in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/05/21/putins-attack-hungarians-new-phase-ukraine-war-russia/ 

Austrian ex-intelligence officer found guilty of Russia spying charges (BBC):

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwy21541dz4o 

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk . We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many on air and in our newsletter as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,547.

Today, we assess the reported scale of Russian military losses since 2026 and examine the new battlefield infiltration tactics Moscow has developed in an attempt to break through Ukrainian positions. We also take a closer look at the impact of Kyiv’s strikes on Russian oil refineries and investigate whether there is more behind London’s apparent easing of sanctions on Russian oil than meets the eye. Then we explore how Putin’s latest visit to Beijing is viewed in China, and ask whether the evolving relationship between Moscow and Beijing resembles a genuine strategic partnership – or something closer to vassalage. Finally, we hear from someone who was once a FOX News insider about moving to Ukraine and how we came to see the war differently from those in the MAGA movement.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Sophia Yan (Senior Foreign Correspondent). Sophia_yan on X.

Alex Nichol (Telegraph Journalist).

With thanks to Joseph Lindsley.

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

The secret Chinese surveillance programme tracking people like me (Sophia Yan in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/05/19/leaked-secret-chinese-surveillance-programme-tracks-foreign/ 

I’ve reported on war, but I’ve never seen it told like this (Francis’s fashion piece in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/people/ukraine-fashion-show-london-war-francis-dearnley/ 

Russia abandons ‘meat-grinder’ tactics to try four-man ambushes (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/05/01/russia-abandons-meat-grinder-tactic-ukraine-war/ 

Exclusive: Russians covertly trained by China return to fight in Ukraine, sources say (Reuters):

https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/russians-covertly-trained-by-china-return-fight-ukraine-sources-say-2026-05-19/

Joseph Lindsley’s Substack, ‘Under Fire News’:

https://underfirenews.substack.com 

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk . We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many on air and in our newsletter as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,546.

Today, as the British government suggests their pledge to ‘stand with Ukraine as long as it takes’ should actually say ‘as long as it doesn’t upset my summer holiday’ we examine the reaction to London’s decision to relax some Russian sanctions. We report how Russian jets flew so close to an RAF aircraft over the Black Sea it triggered onboard emergency systems, and we look at how Vladimir Putin's trip to Beijing is being reported in Moscow. Plus, we take our regular look at how brilliantly the Russian economy is performing and talk about magic mushrooms in Armenia. 

Contributors:

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Alexander Nichol (Telegraph Journalist).

James Kilner (Russia Analyst). @JkJourno on X.

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

PM’s sanctions U-turn ‘will fund killing of Ukrainian soldiers’ (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2026/05/20/starmer-eases-sanctions-on-russian-oil/ 

Xi and Putin: ‘Colonial’ world order has failed (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/05/20/xi-putin-beijing-meeting-russia-china/ 

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk . We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many on air and in our newsletter as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,545.

Today, after a NATO fighter jet shoots down a suspected Ukrainian drone over Estonia, we examine the mounting risks of escalation on NATO’s eastern flank and what the incident reveals about the increasingly crowded skies above the Baltic region. We also look at reports of a collapse in Russian defensive lines near a settlement in Zaporizhzhia as Ukraine presses its counterattacks in the south. Then we turn to Moscow to assess how the Kremlin and Russian state media are reporting – or not – news of Ukraine’s major strikes on Russian infrastructure ahead of Putin’s high-stakes visit to China. And later, we take a deep dive into how investigations into war crimes have evolved over the past four years.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.

With thanks to Yevhenia Motorevska – head of the War Crimes Investigation Unit at the Kyiv Independent.

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

The drone attacks Putin doesn’t want Russians to see (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/05/19/drone-attacks-putin-doesnt-want-russians-see-ukraine/ 

Xi Jinping told Donald Trump that Putin might ‘regret’ invasion of Ukraine (Financial Times):

https://www.ft.com/content/567c57b0-6346-43e6-9d14-840a793b4d1d?syn-25a6b1a6=1 

Dom’s Video On the Frontline:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-LWZtJBCwY 

From the Kyiv Independent’s War Crimes Investigation Unit: 

The War Before the War, Part I: https://kyivindependent.com/video/?slug=crimea-the-war-before-the-war-part-2

From Stalin to Putin – Russia’s history of torture: 

https://youtu.be/p7Ei6mAf3mQ

Exposing Russia’s indoctrination of Ukrainian children: 

https://youtu.be/RZGmv2EQdGk

Investigation: Uncovering the secret Russian FSB operation to loot Ukraine's museums

https://kyivindependent.com/investigation-uncovering-fsbs-secret-operation-to-steal-ukraines-valuable-art/

The Kyiv Independent doesn’t have a paywall or an owner and is supported by a

community of readers who make this work possible. Starting today, the Kyiv Independent team is on a quest to find 4000 new members globally. You can become a memberhere.

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk . We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many on air and in our newsletter as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,544.

Today, after Ukraine unleashes a sweeping wave of retaliatory strikes in response to last week’s Russian attacks – shutting down Moscow airports, damaging naval assets, and sending huge fireballs into the sky above Russian oil infrastructure – the Kremlin signals it may once again be open to peace talks, potentially even reopening channels with the European Union. We ask whether Moscow may also need urgent talks with Beijing after one of its Shahed drones reportedly struck a Chinese cargo ship just days before Vladimir Putin’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. We also hear from Berlin on how Europe is accelerating efforts to rearm in the face of growing Russian aggression and deepening American disengagement. And later, we speak to an adviser to the Ukrainian government about Kyiv’s mounting military recruitment crisis after intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov warned that voluntary enlistment alone can no longer meet the army’s needs.

Contributors:

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

James Rothwell (Berlin Correspondent). @JamesERothwell on X.

With thanks to Olesia Horiainova of the Ukrainian Security and Cooperation Center.

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Europe’s sleeping giant rearms (James Rothwell & Joe Barnes in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/05/11/europes-sleeping-giant-rearms-germany-weapons-war-russia/ 

Putin gifted upper hand as Trump triggers European missile crisis (James Rothwell & Joe Barnes in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/05/18/europes-deep-strike-dilemma-and-how-it-untangles-itself/ 

Ukraine launches biggest attack on Moscow in a year (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/05/17/ukraine-launches-biggest-attack-on-moscow-in-a-year/ 

Ukrainian drones destroy £30m Russian plane at airbase (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/05/16/ukrainian-drones-destroy-russian-aircraft-airbase/ 

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk . We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many on air and in our newsletter as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,541.

Today, after the two days of near continuous strikes against Ukraine with over 1,600 drones and missiles fired on the country – with at least 12 killed by a single projectile – we hear the latest round of American withdrawals of thousands of troops from Europe, and a sobering assessment from experts at Chatham House about the direction of the war. Then we have an extraordinary exclusive interview with a Russian FSB agent who claims he fled Moscow in a dead cow.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Roland Oliphant (Chief Foreign Analyst). @RolandOliphant on X.

Hayley Dixon (Special Correspondent). @HaylesDixon on X.

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

‘Putin won’t last’: Russian agent who fled Moscow in a dead cow (The Telegraph):

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ng7-LI7VK8M

Long Read: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/05/14/dmitry-senin-russia-fsb-escaped-putin-in-dead-cow/ 

Pentagon cancels deployment of thousands of troops to Europe (The Telegraph):

https://kyivindependent.com/us-cancels-planned-deployment-of-4-000-troops-to-poland/?mc_cid=d10bd88d37&mc_eid=08d0680a95 

Russia issues Ben Wallace with arrest warrant for ‘justifying terrorism’ (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/05/13/russia-ben-wallace-arrest-warrant-justifying-terrorism/ 

How a Ukrainian air assault on Russia led to the resignation of a Latvian prime minister (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/how-2-ukrainian-drones-sparked-political-turmoil-in-latvia/ 

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk . We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many on air and in our newsletter as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,540.

Today, as Russia pummels Ukraine with over 1500 missiles and drones since yesterday, targeting civilians and energy infrastructure, Ukraine hits three energy facilities in Russia. We then focus on the issue of children who have been deported from Ukraine to Russia or to unknown locations in the occupied territories. The EU and UK announced further sanctions while the high-level meeting of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukraine Children on Monday in Brussels pledged funds and support towards tracing, tracking and returning children from Russia.

Contributors:

Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Co-host of Ukraine: The Latest). @adeliepjz on X. 

Johanna Baxter, Labour MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire South. @JohannaBaxter on X. 

Maksym Maksymov, director of Bring Kids Back. @BringKidsBackUA on X.

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Returning the Stolen Children of Ukraine, Johanna Baxter, UK Friends of Ukraine

https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/582a1916-4c98-42de-936a-f74780c73b02/downloads/6c23bef6-a43d-4acd-a781-3b749bb46174/Report_%20Returning%20the%20Stolen%20Children%20of%20Ukrai.pdf?ver=1750937088779

Bringing Ukraine's kids back: Almost 60 countries unite to stop Russia's genocidal kidnapping of children (Kyiv Independent)

https://kyivindependent.com/bringing-ukraines-kids-back-almost-60-countries-unite-to-stop-russias-genocidal-kidnapping-of-children/

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk . We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many on air and in our newsletter as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

- 'Longest massive attack': Russia fires 2000 drones and missiles in 24 hours

- 60 nations sign historic pledge to 'track down' 20,000 stolen kids

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,539.

Today, while Russia unleashes another huge aerial assault across Ukraine – as President Donald Trump insists the war could end soon – we examine Kyiv’s race to develop a new weapon and report on a deadly strike that the United Nations says hit one of its trucks. Then we bring you the latest from the NATO Eastern Flank summit in Romania as allies confront mounting fears over regional security, before looking at an investigation into a sunken Russian ship that was allegedly carrying nuclear reactors to North Korea. And later, in a special report from Kherson, a Telegraphjournalist is forced to flee for cover as Russian drones hunt targets above the city.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Adrian Blomfield (Senior Foreign Correspondent). @Adrianblomfield on X.

CONTENT REFERENCED:

I was hunted in Russia’s 'drone safari' in Kherson (Adrian Blomfield for The Telegraph):

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNQSY6NaPhY 

Long Read: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/72-Hours-in-Kherson-red-zone/ 

Is Ukraine winning the war? The three facets of the 2026 counter-offensive (Dom’s film for The Telegraph incl. discussion of Kyiv's use of data):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-LWZtJBCwY 

German soldiers attacked at Nato base ‘by masked assailants’ (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/05/12/german-soldiers-attacked-nato-base-masked-assailants/ 

Zelenskiy meets Palantir CEO as Ukraine expands use of AI in war (Reuters):

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/zelenskiy-meets-palantir-ceo-ukraine-expands-use-ai-war-2026-05-12/ 

A Russian ship sank in mysterious circumstances. It may have been carrying submarine nuclear reactors to North Korea (CNN):

https://edition.cnn.com/2026/05/12/world/a-russian-ship-sank-in-mysterious-circumstances-it-may-have-been-carrying-nuclear-reactors-to-north-korea 

NATO’s frontline countries jockey for US troops after Trump’s Germany withdrawal (POLITICO):

https://www.politico.eu/article/nato-frontline-countries-jockey-for-us-troops-after-donald-trump-germany-withdrawal/ 

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk . We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many on air and in our newsletter as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

-  Exclusive: 72 hours dodging Russia’s ‘drone safari’ in Kherson

- Did NATO sink this Russian ship carrying nuclear reactors to North Korea?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,538.

Today, as Andrii Yermak is charged with money laundering, we ask: should President Zelensky be disappointed in his former chief of staff or worried that the scandal is coming closer to him? We report that Poland has moved first and secured a third of the 150 billion Euro SAFE funding and we get our regular view from James Kilner of what’s happening inside Russia. Plus, we take a short foray into Africa, asking what Russia’s ejection from Mali says about the Kremlin's international appeal. 

Contributors:

Dom Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X

Alex Nichol (Telegraph Journalist)

James Kilner (Russia Expert ). @jkjourno on X

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Inside the Ukrainian war room turning the tide on Russia

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/05/12/ukraine-war-drones-tech-russian-soldier-attacks/

Too paranoid to meet strangers, Putin fakes a street chat for cameras, by Antonia Langford

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/05/12/putin-fakes-a-street-chat-for-cameras/

Putin expands world’s largest drone factory as it ramps up exports to Iran

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/05/11/putin-expands-worlds-largest-drone-factory/

Help shape the future of Ukraine: The Latest. Share your thoughts in this quick survey:

https://tinyurl.com/ukrainethelatest

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk . We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many on air and in our newsletter as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

- Zelensky former 'right-hand man' charged with corruption

- WhatRussia’s ejection from Mali says about the Kremlin's international appeal

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.