War in Ukraine, a humanitarian crisis and reaction in Kyiv, Westminster and beyond. The Telegraph's top journalists tell you what you need to know every weekday.
The Ukraine: The Latest podcast is a highly informative and essential resource for anyone looking to gain a deeper understanding of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The host, Dom, provides a unique and valuable perspective through his stream of consciousness style, allowing listeners to immerse themselves in the brutality and complexity of the war. One particularly important quote from Dom's stream of consciousness about the brutality of the war needs to be shared on social media as soon as possible, as it captures the harsh reality that many people may overlook or be unaware of.
One of the best aspects of this podcast is its commitment to delivering new releases frequently while maintaining a high standard of content. It goes beyond simply regurgitating news headlines or providing abstract analysis by featuring real experts with real insights into the situation as it develops. The interviews with consultants to Ukraine's negotiations team and photojournalists on the ground are particularly appreciated, as they offer firsthand perspectives and invaluable knowledge that is not easily accessible elsewhere. This ensures that listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of both Russian and Ukrainian history and perspectives.
While there are numerous positive aspects to The Ukraine: The Latest podcast, it is important to acknowledge that it may not cater to all types of listeners. Due to its focus on expert insights and in-depth analysis, some individuals who prefer more light-hearted or entertaining podcasts might find it less engaging. Additionally, considering the topic at hand is an ongoing conflict marked by violence and suffering, this podcast may not be suitable for those seeking lighter content or looking for an escape from current events.
In conclusion, The Ukraine: The Latest podcast delivers highly informed content that dives deep into the complexities of the conflict in Ukraine. It presents a range of expert opinions and offers a unique standpoint through Dom's stream of consciousness narrative style. Despite potentially not being suitable for all listeners due to its serious nature, this podcast remains an insightful listen for those wanting to broaden their understanding of this ongoing crisis. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking a comprehensive and thought-provoking analysis of the situation in Ukraine.
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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 FawcettVideo Producer: Sophie O'SullivanSocial Producer: Tom SteedStudio Director: Meghan SearleExecutive Editor: Francis DearnleyCreated by David KnowlesNOW 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.pdfMarch ‘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-electionPutin 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.ukEMAIL 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:'We'll throttle your war machine': US lawmakers pass major Russia sanctions billUkraine targets Russian oil refinery and aircraft, igniting huge blaze 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 FawcettVideo Producer: Sophie O'SullivanSocial Producer: Tom SteedStudio Director: Meghan SearleExecutive Editor: Francis DearnleyCreated by David KnowlesNOW 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 websitehttps://iditelesom.org/enGrigory 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-obogrevaUkraine'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/9.7344745If you're interested in sponsoring Dom's upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.ukEMAIL 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:Meet the activists who smuggled 3600 deserters out of RussiaNew Ukrainian interceptor destroys Russia's powerful jet-powered drone 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 AtkinsSenior Producer: Lilian FawcettVideo Producer: Sophie O'SullivanSocial Producer: Tom SteedStudio Director: Meghan SearleExecutive Editor: Francis DearnleyCreated by David KnowlesNOW 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:Exclusive: ‘My son moved to Russia for love. Now, he's missing on the front line'Denmark condemns ‘reckless action' after a Russian frigate fired flares at a military helicopter 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 PorterSenior Producer: Lilian FawcettVideo Producer: Sophie O'SullivanSocial Producer: Tom SteedStudio Director: Meghan SearleExecutive Editor: Francis DearnleyCreated by David KnowlesNOW 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.ukWorld'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-6aa3ebb40f417ae59102eab3Russia 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-c817d014Ukraine'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:Putin 'knocking on doors of NATO' with near-miss strike on train of European officials How Ukraine's audacious counterattack exposed lying Russian officials 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 PorterSenior Producer: Lilian FawcettVideo Producer: James EnglandSocial Producer: Tom SteedStudio Director: Meghan SearleExecutive Editor: Francis DearnleyCreated by David KnowlesNOW 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.ukMI5 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-ba19-093979453bceThe 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:Putin will exhaust Russia's capacity by 2028, Ukrainian intelligence chief saysBritish officials confirm record Russian casualty rate 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 PorterSenior Producer: Lilian FawcettVideo Producer: Tom SteedSocial Producer: Anita BlayStudio Director: Meghan SearleExecutive Editor: Francis DearnleyCreated by David KnowlesNOW 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.ukUS spy chief prepares for greater role in Russia-Ukraine talks (Financial Times)https://www.ft.com/content/d0557d25-78b5-45d8-bb33-d655e859d803?syn-25a6b1a6=1Rethinking Ukraine's Manpower Challenge (Carnegie Endowment)https://carnegieendowment.org/research/2026/03/ukraine-military-russia-war-manpower-recruitmentThe 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-russiaEMAIL 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 ReportsHIGHLIGHTS:Record-breaking Ukrainian drone strike hits gas facility 3000km from frontlineRussia exceeds 1.5 million casualties in Ukraine 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 FawcettVideo Producer: Sophie O'SullivanSocial Producer: Tom SteedStudio Director: Meghan SearleExecutive Editor: Francis DearnleyCreated by David KnowlesNOW 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.ukEMAIL 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:Russia at risk of economic disaster, Kremlin aide warns Putin Russian city of Novorossiysk ablaze after Ukraine strikes oil terminal 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 XWith thanks to Ada Wordsworth, co-founder and director of KHARPP.Producer: Rachel PorterSenior Producer: Lilian FawcettVideo Producer: James EnglandSocial Producer: Tom SteedStudio Director: Meghan SearleExecutive Editor: Francis DearnleyCreated by David KnowlesNOW 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=97790066ef29442bZelensky to Axios: U.S. exploring Russia-Ukraine winter de-escalation stepshttps://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:Ukrainian counterattack 'liberates 200 square kilometers'Remembering David Knowles, creator of 'Ukraine: The Latest' 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 PorterSenior Producer: Lilian FawcettVideo Producer: James EnglandSocial Producer: Tom SteedStudio Director: Meghan SearleExecutive Editor: Francis DearnleyCreated by David KnowlesNOW 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.ukEMAIL 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:Trump envoys Witkoff and Kushner finally visit Kyiv after stop in MoscowPro-Russia AfD wins German state election 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 wehear 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 PorterSenior Producer: Lilian FawcettVideo Producer: Sophie O'SullivanSocial Producer: Tom SteedStudio Director: Meghan SearleExecutive Editor: Francis DearnleyCreated by David KnowlesNOW 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.ukExclusive interview with Petr Pavel at NATO:On YouTube: https://youtu.be/9Vw290vlifU?si=IX7-qlsHJkakv2IX&t=1974On Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/ukraine-the-latest/id1612424182?i=1000776015561On 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-pancevskiRussian 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=08d0680a95Estonia'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=08d0680a95Lloyd'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:Ukrainian spy HQ ablaze after Russian ‘assassination attempt' on intelligence chiefRussian general who ‘ordered strike on children's hospital' shot dead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Day 1,649Today, 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 AtkinsSenior Producer: Lilian FawcettVideo Producer: Sophie O'SullivanSocial Producer: Anita BlayStudio Director: Chris JanuaryExecutive Editor: Francis DearnleyCreated by David KnowlesNOW 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.htmlListen to the full interview with Steve Tsang on Iran: The Latest: On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVpEYQ7gt7wOn Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6wSMWBbBVwyZUZtWEsqM7z?si=dk9U33ICQAuz1DCDejPlNAOn Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/us-strikes-irgc-bases-what-the-iran-war-means-for/id1712903296?i=1000787439196If you're interested in sponsoring Dom's upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.ukEMAIL 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 TimesHIGHLIGHTS:Moscow airports in chaos after Zelensky drones threat grounds flightsRussia's Sochi Black Sea port under attack by Ukraine 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 FawcettVideo Producer: Sophie O'SullivanSocial Producer: Anita BlayStudio Director: James EnglandExecutive Editor: Francis DearnleyCreated by David KnowlesNOW 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 websiteIf you're interested in sponsoring Dom's upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.ukEMAIL 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:‘State sponsored terrorism': Moscow blamed for Germany airport attackZelensky warns Russian skies 'completely unsafe' from Ukrainian drones 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 XProducer: Phil AtkinsSenior Producer: Lilian FawcettVideo Producer: Sophie O'SullivanSocial Producer: Tom SteedStudio Director: Meghan SearleExecutive Editor: Francis DearnleyCreated by David KnowlesNOW 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=1000786893585Ousted 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-a93597Exclusive: 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=08d0680a95Germany 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.ukEMAIL 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:Ukraine suffers some of deadliest attacks of warEstonia spy chief says 'revolution could come overnight in Russia' 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 PorterSenior Producer: Lilian FawcettVideo Producer: Sophie O'SullivanSocial Producer: Tom SteedStudio Director: Meghan SearleExecutive Editor: Francis DearnleyCreated by David KnowlesNOW 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/83238EU states revive plan to use frozen Russian assets for Ukraine (Financial Times) https://www.ft.com/content/6d272811-8d26-46f0-ae24-abed61aa1bf3?syn-25a6b1a6=1If you're interested in sponsoring Dom's upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.ukEMAIL 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:Kyiv hit by longest air-raid alert since war beganFrontline troops test rifle-wielding robots 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 PorterSenior Producer: Lilian FawcettVideo Producer: James England and Hana KellySocial Producer: Tom SteedStudio Director: Meghan SearleExecutive Editor: Francis DearnleyCreated by David KnowlesNOW 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.ukExplosions, 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: Kyiv intercepts first ballistic missiles in a month during huge raidUkraine's secret Donbas counterattack repels Russian troops 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 FawcettVideo Producer: Sophie O'SullivanSocial Producer: Tom SteedStudio Director: Meghan SearleExecutive Editor: Francis DearnleyCreated by David KnowlesNOW 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.ukRussia 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:CIA head meets Russian spy chiefs in MoscowPutin's fuel crisis deepens as Ukraine hits 16 key sites 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 PorterSenior Producer: Lilian FawcettVideo Producer: Sophie O'Sullivan & Aaron WheelerSocial Producer: Tom SteedStudio Director: Meghan SearleExecutive Editor: Francis DearnleyCreated by David KnowlesNOW 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.ukRussia 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/83010Russian 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 StrategyMind the air-defence gap: South Korea's burgeoning role in air and missile defenceEurope'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:Zelensky finally handed 'some' Patriot missiles after weeks of raidsRemarkable footage shows Russian soldier firing rocket at his own feet 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 XWith thanks to John Foreman CBE, Chatham House associate fellow and former UK defence attaché to Russia.Producer: Rachel PorterSenior Producer: Lilian FawcettVideo Producer: Sophie O'Sullivan and Tom SteedSocial Producer: Aaron WheelerStudio Director: Meghan SearleExecutive Editor: Francis DearnleyCreated by David KnowlesNOW 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.ukRussian 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:British Storm Shadow missile blueprints exchanged for 'goldmine of Ukrainian battlefield data'Coalition of the Willing meet in Kyiv in Ukraine's Independence Day, including Andy Burnham 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 PorterSenior Producer: Lilian FawcettVideo Producer: Sophie O'SullivanSocial Producer: Anita BlayStudio Director: James EnglandExecutive Editor: Francis DearnleyCreated by David KnowlesNOW 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.ukUkraine'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-logisticsUkraine seeks Elon Musk's help to hit Russian missile launchers (Financial Times)https://www.ft.com/content/ff536e6e-dc56-45e3-b5e0-2dfb28148cb6?syn-25a6b1a6=1Ukraine 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-storedThe 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=1890sEMAIL 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:Russia 'defenceless' in the Mediterranean for first time in warUkraine hits Moscow's supply lines to Crimea Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Day 1,637Today, 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 FawcettVideo Producer: Sophie O'SullivanSocial Producer: Anita BlayStudio Director: Meghan SearleExecutive Editor: Francis DearnleyCreated by David KnowlesNOW 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 Romaniahttps://x.com/InsiderGeo/status/2090388854855397440?s=20Adelie's interview with Hugh Roberts on translating Ukrainian poetryhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AXCoKZkXMI If you're interested in sponsoring Dom's upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.ukEMAIL 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:Putin breaks silence on Wildberries carnage15 killed in Russian bombardment on Kyiv 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 PorterSenior Producer: Lilian FawcettVideo Producer: Sophie O'Sullivan and Anthony MeltonSocial Producer: Natalia MakohonTranslation by Natalia MakohonStudio Director: Meghan SearleExecutive Editor: Francis DearnleyCreated by David KnowlesNOW 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.ukNursery 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:Mykhailo Fedorov calls for election in blistering attack on ZelenskyFormer defence minister also claims corruption is harming Kyiv's war effort 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 PorterSenior Producer: Lilian FawcettVideo Producer: Sophie O'Sullivan and Anthony MeltonSocial Producer: Anita BlayStudio Director: Meghan SearleExecutive Editor: Francis DearnleyCreated by David KnowlesNOW 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.ukRussia 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.socialhttps://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:Ukraine launches massive drone blitz at MoscowUN not fit for purpose, says UN in exclusive interview 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 PorterSenior Producer: Lilian FawcettVideo Producer: Sophie O'SullivanSocial Producer: Tom SteedStudio Director: Meghan SearleExecutive Editor: Francis DearnleyCreated by David KnowlesNOW 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 Kharkivhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zIaFDV1TsU Caolan Robertson's interview with Mykhailo Federovhttps://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 membershttps://zmina.ua/en/statements-en/the-release-of-osce-smm-staff-members-is-a-prerequisite-for-the-implementation-of-ceasefire-monitoring/ Learn more about ENGInhttps://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/@JayinKyivHIGHLIGHTS:Smoke fills Moscow sky after Ukraine wipes out key Wildberries warehouseRussian space centre destroyed, 9000km from Ukraine 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 PorterSenior Producer: Lilian FawcettVideo Producer: Sophie O'SullivanSocial Producer: Tom SteedStudio Director: Meghan SearleExecutive Editor: Francis DearnleyCreated by David KnowlesNOW 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.ukKremlin 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:Ukraine 'destroys North Korean missiles 6000km inside Russia'Huge explosion rips through Italian munitions factory 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 AtkinsSenior Producer: Lilian FawcettVideo Producer: James EnglandSocial Producer: Anita BlayStudio Director: Meghan SearleExecutive Editor: Francis DearnleyCreated by David KnowlesNOW 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_enWindfall Use of Russia's Frozen Assets (Model Diplomat): https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/windfall-use-russia-frozen-assetsUkrainian 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.ukEMAIL 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:Ukraine liberates 745 square kilometersPutin enrages Japan with 'unacceptable' trip to disputed island Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Day 1,629Today, 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 PorterSenior Producer: Lilian FawcettVideo Producer: Sophie O'SullivanSocial Producer: Tom SteedStudio Director: Meghan SearleExecutive Editor: Francis DearnleyCreated by David KnowlesNOW 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.ukUkraine 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-americasRussian 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.htmlRussian 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-refineriesDom'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=1In 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.htmlBehind 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-intensifiesCrimean 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: Black Sea naval base in flames after huge Ukrainian drone attackTrump asks Kyiv to limit strikes on oil tankers 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 AtkinsSenior Producer: Lilian FawcettVideo Producer: Sophie O'SullivanSocial Producer: Tom SteedStudio Director: Meghan SearleExecutive Editor: Francis DearnleyCreated by David KnowlesNOW 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.ukEMAIL 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: North Korea 'sending 50,000 troops' as its missiles fall on Ukraine Wildberries campaign re-ignites as 156,000m2 warehouse ablaze 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 PorterSenior Producer: Lilian FawcettVideo Producer: Sophie O'SullivanSocial Producer: Tom SteedStudio Director: Meghan SearleExecutive Editor: Francis DearnleyCreated by David KnowlesNOW 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=1000780259657Spotify – 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-npp285zgvUkraine'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:Revealed: Why Trump u-turned on Patriot missiles for UkraineKyiv fires 600+ drones in a single night 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 FawcettVideo Producer: Sophie O'SullivanSocial Producer: Tom SteedStudio Director: Meghan SearleExecutive Editor: Francis DearnleyCreated by David KnowlesNOW 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-e3b02e2cAlex's interview with Andrei Sizov, head of SovEcon grain consultancyhttps://youtu.be/gzG-OjuHlgA?si=9zZZQ-aa41DeYvpj&t=1307Leipzig 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-hssdzdswrIf you're interested in sponsoring Dom's upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.ukEMAIL US:Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.HIGHLIGHTSRussia ‘could attack Nato within weeks', US intelligence warnsUkraine burns Wildberries site 2000km from frontline 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 FawcettVideo Producer: Sophie O'SullivanSocial Producer: Tom SteedStudio Director: Meghan SearleExecutive Editor: Francis DearnleyCreated by David KnowlesNOW 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.pdfTrump 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.ukEMAIL US:Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.HIGHLIGHTSMoscow blamed for explosive drone at German airportFuel queues return to Russia as Ukraine hits refineries 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 FawcettVideo Producer: Sophie O'SullivanSocial Producer: Tom SteedStudio Director: Meghan SearleExecutive Editor: Francis DearnleyCreated by David KnowlesNOW 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/80941Facing a demographic catastrophe, Ukraine is paying for troops to freeze their sperm (BBC)https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqxd9549y4xoUkraine'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.htmlBritish Widows of the First World War, The Forgotten Legion, Andrea Hetheringtonhttps://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/British-Widows-of-the-First-World-War-Hardback/p/14718How 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.htmlMI6, DGSE, Ukraine... L'Express reveals an unprecedented ranking of Europe's best spies (L'Express)https://shorturl.at/6t6hWFrench 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.ukEMAIL 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:Russian soldier opens fire on his own platoonMoscow rains missiles on Kyiv in heaviest attack this year 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 FawcettVideo Producer: Sophie O'SullivanSocial Producer: Tom SteedStudio Director: Meghan SearleExecutive Editor: Francis DearnleyCreated by David KnowlesNOW 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.ukEMAIL 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:Russia's ‘barbaric' drone safari caught on filmAnother Wildberries warehouse burns in St Petersburg 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 FawcettVideo Producer: Sophie O'SullivanSocial Producer: Tom SteedStudio Director: Meghan SearleExecutive Editor: Francis DearnleyCreated by David KnowlesNOW 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.ukJames 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_1loveHIGHLIGHTS:Wildberries strikes light up the sky 1000km inside Russia Zelensky ‘reveals' wartime death tolls 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.Contributors: Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.Alex Nichol (Telegraph Journalist).With thanks to Hugh Roberts (@hugh.g.a.roberts on Instagram) and the University of Exeter. Senior Producer: Lilian FawcettVideo Producer: Sophie O'SullivanSocial Producer: Tom SteedStudio Director: Meghan SearleExecutive Editor: Francis DearnleyCreated by David KnowlesNOW 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.ukRussian 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=rssThe 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_5G5eqj5OJantar 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-amelinaThe 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.htmlMore 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:Russians 'fear being killed in Red Square,' Kyiv claimsZelensky asks Elon Musk a favour 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 SteedSenior Producer: Lilian FawcettVideo Producer: Sophie O'SullivanSocial Producer: Anita BlayStudio Director: Meghan SearleExecutive Editor: Francis DearnleyCreated by David KnowlesNOW 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-OuT0Russia 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:Russian missile leaves crater in PolandFedorov reveals all in first interview since sacking 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 FawcettVideo Producer: Sophie O'SullivanSocial Producer: Anita BlayStudio Director: Meghan SearleExecutive Editor: Francis DearnleyCreated by David KnowlesNOW 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:Ukraine wipes out seventh Wildberries warehouse and major oil refineryUS senate advances key Russia sanctions bill 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 SteedSenior Producer: Lilian FawcettVideo Producer: Sophie O'SullivanSocial Producer: Anita BlayStudio Director: Meghan SearleExecutive Editor: Francis DearnleyCreated by David KnowlesNOW 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 Reporthttp://sizov.reportWagner'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:Crimea 'without power' after deadly raidsZelensky meets Trump in Washington ahead of Lindsey Graham funeral 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 FawcettVideo Producer: Sophie O'SullivanSocial Producer: Tom SteedStudio Director: Meghan SearleExecutive Editor: Francis DearnleyCreated by David KnowlesNOW 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/id6785429115Spotify: 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:‘Humiliated' Putin poses with fake submarine after navy parade cancelledUkraine strikes Iranian tanker in Caspian Sea 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 PorterSenior Producer: Lilian FawcettVideo Producer: James EnglandSocial Producer: Tom SteedStudio Director: Meghan SearleExecutive Editor: Francis DearnleyCreated by David KnowlesNOW 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:St Petersburg burns as new ‘number one target' revealed Dom tours a frontline city with its mayor 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 AtkinsSenior Producer: Lilian FawcettVideo Producer: Sophie O'SullivanSocial Producer: Tom SteedStudio Director: Meghan SearleExecutive Editor: Francis DearnleyCreated by David KnowlesNOW 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=1000777916224Spotify – 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-YXXq1t3JMx29P71kMxFrom 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=1492sApple podcast – https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/trump-tells-putin-to-make-a-deal-at-g7-revenge/id1612424182?i=1000772992491Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/episode/2XXCl4A8oZ871GwjvdXowYEMAIL 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: The European Union's 21st sanction packageInterview with Kharkiv mayor Ihor Terekhov 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 AdimoraSenior Producer: Lilian FawcettVideo Producer: Sophie O'SullivanSocial Producer: Tom SteedStudio Director: Meghan SearleExecutive Editor: Francis DearnleyCreated by David KnowlesNOW 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 AtkinsSenior Producer: Lilian FawcettVideo Producer: Sophie O'SullivanSocial Producer: Tom SteedStudio Director: Meghan SearleExecutive Editor: Francis DearnleyCreated by David KnowlesNOW 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=559Part 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=1EMAIL 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:Russia faces bloodiest month for a year and halfInterview with Pussy Riot founder Nadya Tolokonnikova Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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