City of regional significance in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine
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Day 1,391.Today, we assess what some are calling a “breakthrough” in talks between Europe, Ukraine, and the United States, after reports that Washington is offering Kyiv security guarantees equivalent to NATO's Article 5. But is the proposal all it appears to be – and would Vladimir Putin ever accept it? We then report a first in military history: the sinking of a submarine in port by a drone, before examining internal pressures within Russian society, and reflecting on what Moscow has done to the Ukrainian city of Mariupol, reopening its destroyed theatre with a performance many see as shockingly insensitive.ContributorsFrancis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.Roland Oliphant (Chief Foreign Analyst). @RolandOliphant on X.James Kilner (Russian Analyst). @jkjourno on X.SIGN UP TO THE ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST' WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It's free for everyone, including non-subscribers.CONTENT REFERENCED:US tells Ukraine: Take our ‘platinum' security guarantees or lose them (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/12/15/germany-witkoff-and-kushner-far-from-ideal-negotiators/ Ukraine ‘blows up £300m Russian submarine' with underwater drones (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/12/15/ukraine-blows-up-300m-russian-submarine-underwater-drones/ The bedroom farce at the centre of a Russian war-crime propaganda plot (Roland Oliphant on Maruipol in The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/12/11/mariupol-theatre-putin-ukraine-plans/ LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST IN NEW LANGUAGES:The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them. Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatestSubscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Die Slowakei hautnah, Magazin über die Slowakei in deutscher Sprache
Nachrichten, Tagesthema, Magazin - Als politische Ethnografin in Mariupol vor 2022: Gespräch mit Hana Jošticová. Saxophon einmal anders: Die Komponistin Michaela Turcerová.
Join us for a special screening of the new documentary 2000 Meters to Andriivka, followed by a conversation with acclaimed Ukrainian filmmaker and war correspondent Mstyslav Chernov. From the Oscar-winning team behind 20 Days In Mariupol, 2000 Meters to Andriivka documents the toll of the Russia-Ukraine war from a personal and devastating vantage point. Following his historic account of the civilian toll in Mariupol, Chernov turns his lens toward Ukrainian soldiers—who they are, where they came from, and the impossible decisions they face in the trenches as they fight for every inch of their land. Amid a failing counteroffensive in 2023, Chernov and his AP colleague Alex Babenko follow a Ukrainian brigade battling through approximately one mile of a heavily fortified forest on their mission to liberate the Russian-occupied village of Andriivka. Weaving together original footage, intensive Ukrainian Army bodycam video and powerful moments of reflection, 2000 Meters to Andriivka reveals, with haunting intimacy, the farther the soldiers advance through their destroyed homeland, the more they realize that, for them, this might never end. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Neste episódio, José Milhazes e Nuno Rogeiro analisam as negociações de paz na guerra da Ucrânia, detalhando as divergências territoriais entre russos e ucranianos e o papel dos Estados Unidos e da Europa no conflito. O programa aborda ainda críticas de Garry Kasparov a Donald Trump, a situação humanitária em Mariupol e a propaganda russa. Na segunda parte, discute-se o aumento da tensão entre Estados Unidos e Venezuela, avaliando possíveis consequências para a comunidade portuguesa e os impactos geopolíticos globais dessas crises interligadas.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
DryCleanerCast a podcast about Espionage, Terrorism & GeoPolitics
Chris is joined by journalist Tom Mutch to discuss The Dogs of Mariupol and the realities of reporting from Ukraine's front lines. Tom shares what it takes to work inside an active war zone—from the decision to stay during the invasion to the daily logistics of moving, sourcing, and staying alive. They dig into the resilience of Ukrainians under fire, the reach of Russian propaganda, and the social fractures between those who fought and those who fled. Tom also reflects on why documenting these stories matters and how Ukraine's future could be shaped by the ingenuity and grit he's seen on the ground. Subscribe and share to stay ahead in the world of intelligence, global issues, and current affairs. Order The Dogs of Mariupol: https://www.bitebackpublishing.com/books/the-dogs-of-mariupol Please share this episode using these links Audio: https://pod.fo/e/35a2eb YouTube: https://youtu.be/yZQz7bUms3E Send in audience questions for the next Espresso Martini by December 4th! Email secretsandspiespodcast@gmail.com, or reach out on social media via the links below. Please include your first name and general location if you're comfortable. Support Secrets and Spies Become a “Friend of the Podcast” on Patreon for £3/$4: https://www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies Buy merchandise from our shop: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/60934996 Buy us a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/secretsandspies Subscribe to our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVB23lrHr3KFeXq4VU36dg For more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com Connect with us on social media Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/secretsandspies.bsky.social Instagram: https://instagram.com/secretsandspies Facebook: https://facebook.com/secretsandspies Spoutible: https://spoutible.com/SecretsAndSpies Follow Chris and Matt on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/chriscarrfilm.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/mattfulton.net Secrets and Spies is produced by F & P LTD. Music by Andrew R. Bird Photos by AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka, AFP & Madison Tuff Secrets and Spies sits at the intersection of intelligence, covert action, real-world espionage, and broader geopolitics in a way that is digestible but serious. Hosted by filmmaker Chris Carr and writer Matt Fulton, each episode examines the very topics that real intelligence officers and analysts consider on a daily basis through the lens of global events and geopolitics, featuring expert insights from former spies, authors, and journalists.
"Die späten Tage" heißt das neue Buch von Natascha Wodin, das heute erscheint, kurz vor ihrem 80. Geburtstag am 8. Dezember. Darin schreibt sie über das Alter, eben über die "späten Tage" ihres Lebens. Zu ihren späten Erfahrungen gehört auch der literarische Ruhm. Seit sie 2017 für "Sie kam aus Mariupol" den Preis der Leipziger Buchmesse erhielt, ist ihr Aufmerksamkeit sicher für ihre Bücher und ihr Leben, das sie in ihren Romanen verarbeitet. Als Tochter sowjetischer Zwangsarbeiter wurde sie in Deutschland geboren, verbrachte die Kindheit in einem Lager für Displaced Persons und wuchs nach dem Krieg als "Russin" im Feindesland auf. Dieser Platz zwischen Ost und West, die Unzugehörigkeit war stets ihr literarischer Ausgangspunkt. Jetzt also "Die späten Tage". Jörg Magenau hat das Buch gelesen.
Diese Low Budget Kurzfilmdoku von Anna Zhukovets & Karen Abel wurde zwischen 2021 ( Karen hatte gerade die Untersuchungsergebnisse bekommen 3 Jahre mit einem Medikament stabil zu sein) und 2022 ( mitten im 2. Progress, das heißt der Tumor und die Metastasierung breiten sich aufgrund der Resistenz gegenüber der Behandlung aus) gefilmt. Inzwischen hat Karen schon den 4. Progress hinter sich:Die Regisseurin, Editorin, Fotografin und Journalistin Anna Zhukovets (Geboren 1997 in Mariupol; Vita unter https://www.hff-muc.de/de_DE/studente... ) schafft es innerhalb eines Jahres das Leben einer Frau – die niemals aufgibt - mit dem Lungenkrebs einzufangen. Dabei unterstützt Karen Anna inhaltlich und auch kreativ im gesamten Filmprozess.Wissbegierde, Offenheit, Loyalität und eine unermüdliche Selbstarbeit: Das ist Karen Abel. Gerade im Dokumentarfilm lernt man von jedem Menschen etwas. Von Karen lerne ich, mich mehr in Dankbarkeit und Optimismus zu üben. Von Anfang an, lehnt Karen Mitleid ab. Mitgefühl statt Mitleid. Das wünscht sie sich. Offene Fragen statt Stille. Zuhören. Wie hört man empathisch zu? Wie wird man einem persönlichen Portrait gerecht? Indem ich mich als Filmemacherin zurücknehme. Nur so kann man zuhören. Lungenkrebs, das ist die Krankheit der Zukunft. Sie betrifft uns alle. Familie, Freunde und Partner: Die Stigmata des rauchenden alten Mannes hemmt oft einen offenen Diskurs. Und es stimmt nicht. Immer mehr junge Nicht- und Nie Raucher sind betroffen. Ein Film, der die Vorurteile über Lungenkrebs entkräftet. Und gleichzeitig sichtbar macht. Nämlich: Die Geschichte von Karens und Vesnas '' Wie Phönix aus der Asche'' soll sich der eigenen Lebenskraft und Endlichkeit nähern.''Wie Phönix aus der Asche'' ist eine Film-Odyssee. Anna Zhukovets und Karen Abel machen sich auf die Suche nach den Tiefen der Krebsforschung. Sprechen mit Experten und Betroffenen, ohne zu erahnen, dass es sich bei dieser Reise durch die Wissenschaft um die eigene Reflexion dreht. Um den Tod und das Leben. ''Wie Phönix aus der Asche'' ist eine Erzählung einer Frau, die scheinbar dem Tod geweiht ist. Und dennoch: Nicht aufhören will die bestehenden Regeln der Medizin zu hinterfragen. Die Geschichte von Karen Abel, sie zeigt, wie sehr es sich lohnt, zu hinterfragen. Nach anderen Wegen zu suchen. Die Geschichte trägt die Erkenntnis mit sich, dass die Krebsforschung mehr kann als nur Strahlen- und Chemotherapie. Für Karen Abel muss sie ganzheitlich sein. Sie muss den Menschen im Kern mitdenken. Dafür muss die Ärzte-Patient: innen-Kommunikation auf Augenhöhe bleiben.Chapters00:00 Der Weg zur Selbstakzeptanz02:38 Stigmatisierung und die Realität von Lungenkrebs06:11 Die Entstehung von Lungenkrebs08:45 Die Herausforderungen der Diagnose12:03 Die Bedeutung von Lebensqualität und Achtsamkeit14:49 Der Umgang mit dem Tod und die Rolle der Ärzte
Neste 'Guerra Fria', José Milhazes e Nuno Rogeiro analisam o impasse da guerra da Ucrânia, destacando a batalha de Pokrovsk, região estratégica de Donetsk, e o risco de, no caso de ser tomada pelos russos, a pressão ocidental para Kiev ceder a Moscovo Kiev aumentar. Discutem o congelamento de fundos russos pela UE, a pilhagem de imóveis em Mariupol e o impacto do inverno sobre os civis. O programa encerra com reflexões culturais sobre o sofrimento russo e a resistência ucraniana. Esta emissão aconteceu na noite deste domingo, a 9 de novembro, e esta sinopse foi criada com apoio de IA. Saiba mais sobre o uso de IA nas redações do Grupo Impresa. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Scriitorii Olena Herasymiuk și Pavlo Matiușa sînt doi dintre autorii antologiei „Mecanisme de apărare. 12 scriitori ucraineni în război”, volumul apărut la Editura Muzeelor Literare Iași, în traducerea lui Mihai Hafia Traista. Cei doi scriitori au fost invitați la Festivalul Internațional de Literatură și Traducere de la Iași (FILIT). Olena Herasymiuk are 34 de ani, este poetă și a lucrat ca paramedic în zone foarte periculoase, în apropiere de Mariupol. „Ambulanța de evacuare pe distanțe lungi, Avstriika, pe care am conceput-o împreună cu colegii mei și pe care lucrează acum echipaje de paramedici voluntari, a evacuat deja peste 13.000 de răniți. Cu acest lucru ne mîndrim cel mai mult în viață” scrie ea în textul din antologie.Pavlo Matiușa are 42 de ani, este poet, prozator și traducător. În 2022 a avut grijă de un băiat de 8 ani, Ihor. Mașina în care se afla copilul împreună cu mama, tatăl și sora sa a fost atacată de soldații ruși. Doar el, Ihor, nu a fost atins de nici un glonte. Ceilalți au fost răniți și grav răniți. Băiatul de 8 ani a ieșit din mașină și a strigat la atacatori: „Ce faceți?! Îmi omorîți mama și sora!” După ce Ihor s-a reunit cu familia lui, Pavlo Matiușa s-a înrolat voluntar în Forțele Armate ale Ucrainei. Am stat de vorbă cu Olena Herasymiuk și Pavlo Matiușa despre cum s-a schimbat relația lor cu literatura din cauza războiului, despre lupta eroică a ucrainenilor pentru salvarea țării lor, despre scutul de apărare pe care-l reprezintă acum Ucraina pentru Europa. Discuția a fost tradusă de Cristina Velicico. Olena Herasymiuk: „Înainte citeam poezii despre război dar poate că nu înțelegeam cu adevărat sentimentele, nu înțelegeam cu adevărat ce vor ele să transmită, valoarea unor lucruri sau evenimente. Dar acum înțeleg perfect: noi scriem despre lucruri care s-au stins, nu mai sînt. La universitate, la literatură învățam despre artă, despre cît de frumoase pot fi arta și literatura. Dar între timp am aflat că literatura poate fi și mai puțin frumoasă. De fapt, poate că uneori nu-i de găsit nimic frumos în literatură. Războiul schimbă foarte multe. Începi să vezi altfel, începi să percepi altfel. De aceea și poezia are altă formă astăzi.”Pavlo Matiușa: „Războiul este un reactor nuclear de emoții. În timp ce ești în război nu ai cum să simți altceva decît acest spectru de emoții negative. Acest centru nuclear a generat un început pentru o literatură nouă, o scurtătură între realitate și text. Toți scriitorii au început să scrie mai clar, mai sincer și mai corect. Pentru că nu ai timp pentru a reflecta foarte mult asupra unui text. Este o energie care se transmite prin text, prin poezie, prin literatură, prin diverse forme de scriere. (Literatura) nu mai este un decor sau un ambalaj frumos.”Apasă PLAY pentru a asculta interviul integral!O emisiune de Adela GreceanuUn produs Radio România Cultural
Die Slowakei hautnah, Magazin über die Slowakei in deutscher Sprache
Nachrichten, Tagesthema, Magazin - Hana Jošticová: Feldforschung in Mariupol vor dem russischen Überfall 2022. Vorreiter des literarischen Realismus: Jozef Gregor Tajovský im Portrait.
Dive into the ongoing war with Cormac Smith today. Dominic and Cormac discuss Mariupol, whether the war can be considered genocide, the disinformation war, the reality of Russian aggression, war crimes, hybrid warfare, the need for unity, and more!Today we are joined by Cormac Smith. Cormac works at the intersection of authentic leadership & effective communication. He travelled to Ukraine in 2016 to take up a special appointment as the ‘Strategic Communication Advisor' to Pavlo Klimkin, the then Foreign Minister of Ukraine. Cormac was attached to the British Embassy in Kyiv but was embedded in Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the first foreigner to hold such a position. There he worked for the cabinet ministers of Health, Education and the Deputy Prime Minister. In addition, he worked with The National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine and the NATO mission to the country. In 2018, Cormac joined the National Security Communication Team in the Cabinet Office, specifically to advise on Russian Disinformation / Hybrid Warfare tactics, in the wake of the Skripal poisoning in Salisbury. In addition, Cormac is a communication coach & charity leader & Bobsleigh veteran!The International Risk Podcast brings you conversations with global experts, frontline practitioners, and senior decision-makers who are shaping how we understand and respond to international risk. From geopolitical volatility and organised crime, to cybersecurity threats and hybrid warfare, each episode explores the forces transforming our world and what smart leaders must do to navigate them. Whether you're a board member, policymaker, or risk professional, The International Risk Podcast delivers actionable insights, sharp analysis, and real-world stories that matter.Dominic Bowen is the host of The International Risk Podcast and Europe's leading expert on international risk and crisis management. As Head of Strategic Advisory and Partner at one of Europe's leading risk management consulting firms, Dominic advises CEOs, boards, and senior executives across the continent on how to prepare for uncertainty and act with intent. He has spent decades working in war zones, advising multinational companies, and supporting Europe's business leaders. Dominic is the go-to business advisor for leaders navigating risk, crisis, and strategy; trusted for his clarity, calmness under pressure, and ability to turn volatility into competitive advantage. Dominic equips today's business leaders with the insight and confidence to lead through disruption and deliver sustained strategic advantage.The International Risk Podcast – Reducing risk by increasing knowledge.Follow us on LinkedIn and Subscribe for all our updates!Tell us what you liked!
Krynytsya (The Well), your wellspring for Ukraine and Ukrainians
Stefan Korshak is the senior defense correspondent for the English-language newspaper the Kyiv Post. In this podcast interview, he talks about the strengths and weaknesses of Ukraine's air defense. He also suggests how to improve it in light of recent increased daily Russian bombardment. There is also discussion of recent Russian efforts to probe NATO defenses. Mr. Korshak briefly mentions his new book, "The Siege of Mariupol", which he co-authored with Christopher Lawrence. It will be published in November by Waterstones. https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-siege-of-mariupol/christopher-a-lawrence/stefan-korshak/9781399034203 https://www.kyivpost.com/authors/11
Recorded live on August 27, 2025: Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen joins Warren Olney for War, Peace and the American Future, a wide-ranging conversation on U.S. leadership, global security, and the challenges ahead.
Lt. Col. (Ret.) Alexander Vindman joins journalist Madeleine Brand for an America at a Crossroads conversation on U.S. foreign policy, democracy, and global security. Subscribe for more conversations.
Last time we spoke about the Soviet invasion of Manchuria. Following the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki amidst relentless Allied aerial campaigns, chaos engulfed Japan. Prime Minister Suzuki's cabinet debated surrendering to avoid annihilation while fearing for the imperial family's future. Meanwhile, the Soviet Union launched an unexpected invasion of Manchuria, rapidly advancing and catching Japanese forces off guard. As negotiations unfolded, a group of military conspirators, led by Major Hatanaka, attempted a coup to halt the surrender, believing they could rally support. They seized the Imperial Palace but failed to find the Emperor's recorded surrender speech amid the chaos. In a decisive moment, Emperor Hirohito accepted the Potsdam Declaration, stipulating the emperor's continuation, thus sealing Japan's fate. That same day, the world learned of Japan's capitulation, marking the end of the Pacific War. The once powerful nation now lay in ruins, yet the Emperor's decision bore the weight of a nation saved from further destruction, embodying a fragile hope for the future amidst the horrors of war. This episode is the Battle for South Sakhalin and the Kurile Islands Welcome to the Pacific War Podcast Week by Week, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about world war two? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on world war two and much more so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel you can find a few videos all the way from the Opium Wars of the 1800's until the end of the Pacific War in 1945. As we previously discussed, the Japanese Empire made the difficult decision to surrender on August 14, amid the turmoil of the Soviet invasion of Manchuria and South Sakhalin. The following day, this decision was announced to the world. However, in Manchuria, General Yamada's Kwantung Army chose to continue fighting until they received a clear ceasefire order. At this moment, several developments unfolded. General Hongo's 44th Army was on a forced retreat toward the Hsinking-Mukden line under General Ushiroku's command, leaving their 107th Division trapped behind Soviet lines. Meanwhile, General Iida's 30th Army was redeploying to Hsinking, which was starting to be evacuated, while General Uemura's 4th Army had orders to withdraw to Meihokou, taking over positions left by the 30th Army. The advance of enemy armored columns in the west was severely hindering the evacuation of Japanese nationals. On the 10th, the Kwantung Army requested the Manchukuoan Government to facilitate the evacuation of Japanese residents in Hainking and its surroundings. They directed the Continental Railway Command to prepare ten trains for this purpose, with the first train scheduled to depart from Hsinking that same day. However, the Manchukuoan Government found it nearly impossible to carry out the withdrawal swiftly. They managed to transport only the families of officers and civilians linked to the army, and these families had to flee with just a few hours' notice, taking almost nothing but the clothes on their backs. By the 12th, Hsinking was in a state of chaos. The advance of enemy armored units, coupled with the retreat of the main force of the 44th Army, led to the evacuation of the capital by the Kwantung Army General Headquarters. This turmoil coincided with the arrival of the first refugee trains, carrying Japanese evacuees from the western border areas, causing widespread panic among local residents. Many hurried to the already overcrowded train station, desperate to escape the unfolding crisis. In the face of enemy pressure, the 80th Independent Mixed Brigade and the 119th Division continued to resist assaults at Hailar and Pokotu, respectively. The 123rd Division and the 135th Independent Mixed Brigade were heavily engaged in the fortified regions of Sunwu and Aihun, and the 136th Independent Mixed Brigade was directed to reinforce Tsitsihar, while the 134th Division retreated to Fangcheng. General Shimizu's 5th Army prepared for a last stand at Mutanchiang, while the isolated 124th Division made plans to withdraw. The 132nd Independent Mixed Brigade had already retreated to Tachienchang, and the 128th Division was getting ready to confront the enemy advance at Lotzokou, with General Murakami's 3rd Army holding strong in the Tumen fortified region. Meanwhile, the Nanam Divisional District Unit successfully repelled an amphibious invasion in Chongjin, and the 88th Division's 125th Regiment staunchly defended Furuton on South Sakhalin. In a desperate bid to avoid further disaster, Yamada finally instructed Ushiroku to adhere to their original plan and prepare for a withdrawal to the Hunjen area, even if it meant leaving Japanese citizens and their cities vulnerable to the approaching Soviets. Ushiroku hesitantly agreed to the order but never got the chance to act on it. On August 15, Marshal Vasilevsky's offensive advanced much like the previous days, facing an enemy that continued to resist fiercely. To counter this, orders came to intensify the assault to gain control of key operational and strategic points as quickly as possible. In Marshal Malinovsky's Transbaikal Front, General Pliyev's cavalry-mechanized units encountered heavy opposition from the Inner Mongolian 3rd, 5th, and 7th Cavalry Divisions at Kanbao. Meanwhile, General Danilov's 17th Army pressed toward Chihfeng but was hindered by water shortages, intense heat, and challenging sandy terrain. General Managarov's 53rd Army began its advance toward Kailu, while General Kravchenko's 6th Guards Tank Army continued its march along two fronts. The 7th Guards Mechanized Corps moved east toward Changchun, while both the 9th Guards Mechanized Corps and the 5th Guards Tank Corps advanced southeast toward Mukden. Notably, General Lyudnikov's 39th Army finally captured Tepossi and Wangyemiao. Heavy Japanese resistance persisted in the sector of the 36th Army, notably in the Hailar Fortified Region and along the road and rail line through the Grand Khingan Mountains leading to Pokotu. The Japanese 119th Infantry Division put up a determined defense of Pokotu, successfully delaying the Soviet forces of the 2nd Rifle Corps from August 15 to 17, despite heavy rainfall. Meanwhile, in the rear of the 36th Army, the fighting in Hailar remained intense. The 86th Rifle Corps employed heavy artillery to systematically dismantle enemy strongholds in the hills to the northwest and southwest of the city. Position after position fell to relentless artillery bombardments, combined with sapper and infantry assaults. Ultimately, the Soviets extinguished the last vestiges of Japanese resistance in Hailar on August 18 when the remaining garrison of 3,827 men surrendered. Concurrently, in Marshal Meretskov's 1st Far Eastern Front, forward detachments of General Zakhvatayev's 35th Army secured Poli. General Beloborodov's 1st Red Banner Army broke through the frontline of the 135th Division and initiated an assault on the last Japanese positions just outside Yehho. Meanwhile, General Krylov's 5th Army, having successfully breached the Ssutaoling heights the previous evening, launched attacks against the 126th Division's positions at Aiho but was ultimately repelled by the defenders. In light of these developments, Generals Kita and Shimizu decided to order a withdrawal toward Hengtaohotzu, which they executed successfully after sunset, leaving behind some units to cover the retreat. Further south, General Chistyakov's 25th Army split into two columns at Heitosai. The 17th Rifle Corps and the 72nd Mechanized Brigade advanced west toward the Taipingling Pass, while the 39th Rifle Corps, along with the 72nd and 257th Tank Brigades, headed southwest toward Wangching. The 17th Rifle Corps effectively breached the main defenses of the Japanese 128th Division, forcing it to retreat to second-line positions southwest of Taipingling. On the morning of August 15, enemy air activity against Army Headquarters intensified significantly. Meanwhile, the Army Commander and several staff officers set out via Pataohotzu to inspect the defenses in the Hoeryong area, where the 101st Regiment was retreating from the Chonghak sector. At noon, while at the headquarters of the 127th Division in Pataohotzu, General Murakami and his accompanying staff listened to the Emperor's broadcast announcing the termination of the war. Opinions among the officers were divided regarding the veracity of this broadcast. After a brief discussion, they decided to continue military operations as per existing instructions until they received a formal cessation order. Later that night, a formal order arrived from First Area Army Headquarters, directing that all active resistance be halted, though self-defense measures were still to be implemented if necessary. Around the same time, a report came in from the 1st Mobile Brigade indicating that their positions in the Wangching area, about 25 miles northeast of Army Headquarters at Yenchi, were under attack by a sizable Soviet tank force. In response, a counterattack force was hastily assembled, consisting of two infantry battalions from the 127th Division. They were directed to advance to Wangching along the Yenchi-Chiulungping road to confront the enemy tanks. These battalions likely included the 3rd Battalion of the 280th Regiment and the 3rd Battalion of the 281st Regiment. Additionally, the 88th Rifle Corps took control of Hunchun and crossed the Inanho River, where they encountered well-entrenched Japanese forces from the 112th Division. To further pressure the enemy, the 258th Rifle Division crossed the Tumen River at Hunyong to attack the Japanese right flank. In General Purkayev's 2nd Far Eastern Front, General Mamonov's 15th Army continued its two-pronged advance toward Chiamussu, while General Pashkov's 5th Rifle Corps pushed forward to Poli. Meanwhile, General Teryokhin's 2nd Red Banner Army assigned some elements to maintain the siege of Sunwu and Aihun while forward detachments bypassed these fortified regions, moving south toward Nencheng and Peian. In South Sakhalin, General Cheremisov's 16th Army faced fierce resistance from Japanese forces at Furuton. Admiral Andreyev's Northern Pacific Flotilla prepared for an amphibious landing at Toro, while the Pacific Fleet, under Admiral Yumashev, successfully landed Major-General Vasily Trushin's 13th Naval Infantry Brigade at Chongjin in the early hours of August 15. This effort aimed to relieve the besieged Soviet naval units and gradually push back against the defending Japanese forces. On August 16, the entire Soviet force, commanded by Lieutenant-General Sergey Kabanov, secured Chongjin city and its port after overcoming strong resistance, just as the 393rd Rifle Division was arriving in the area. Simultaneously, Andreyev's fleet departed from Sovetskaya Gavan and approached Toro in the early hours of the day. At 05:17, 141 marines from the initial reconnaissance detachment successfully landed ashore quietly, and by 06:00, they had taken the port with virtually no opposition. The reconnaissance group then advanced about three kilometers east, where they encountered heavy resistance; meanwhile, the rest of the marine battalion landed successfully by 10:00. After securing Shakhtyorsk at midday, the Soviet marines began their push south toward Esutoru, their main objective, while a supporting infantry battalion landed behind them. To the north, the 56th Rifle Corps managed to break through and capture Furuton, though it failed to seize the strategically significant Happo Mountain. In Manchuria, the 88th Rifle Corps continued its attacks on the 112th and 79th Divisions but was unsuccessful. The 39th Rifle Corps column advanced toward Tumen and Yenchi, while the 17th Rifle Corps column effectively expelled Japanese forces from the Taipingling area to secure the pass. By evening, units from the 1st Red Banner Army cleared Mutanchiang, and the 5th Army units moved south of the city to continue their southwest advance toward Ningan. The 15th Army executed a coordinated amphibious assault, successfully capturing Chiamussu. The 39th Army advanced along the railroad from Wangyemiao to Changchun, with its main force ultimately securing Taonan by the end of the day, while other units reduced the Halung-Arshaan fortified region. Finally, forward detachments of the 5th Guards Tank Corps and the 9th Guards Mechanized Corps secured Tungliao and Kaitung, respectively. On August 17, Prince Takeda Tsuneyoshi, on behalf of the Emperor, arrived at Hsinking to deliver the official ceasefire order. However, this did not cancel ongoing operational missions, as the order stipulated that the cessation of hostilities did not apply to unavoidable acts of self-defense during enemy attacks made before the completion of armistice negotiations. Tokyo's orders demonstrated that Yamada was authorized to conduct on-the-spot negotiations for an armistice with the Soviets. Consequently, the Manchurian Campaign continued amidst the negotiations. Pliyev's Soviet-Mongolian units successfully defeated the Inner Mongolians at Kanbao; the 17th Army overcame light opposition from the 108th Division to occupy Chihfeng; the 39th Army concentrated its forces at Taonan while the 94th Rifle Corps mopped up rear areas; and the 36th Army defeated the 119th Division to capture Pokotu. Simultaneously, the 2nd Red Banner Army directed heavy artillery and air strikes to reduce the Aihun and Sunwu Fortified Regions, while the 15th Army initiated a push south along the Sungari River toward Sansing. The 363rd Rifle Division passed through Chihsi, with the 66th Rifle Division focusing on Poli. Units from the 1st Red Banner Army advanced northwest toward Harbin, and the 72nd Rifle Corps marched southward along the east bank of the Mutan River, attempting unsuccessfully to cross the river north of Ningan. The 17th Rifle Corps pursued the 128th Division, and forward elements of the 10th Mechanized Corps moved sixty kilometers from the Taipingling Pass to secure the critical rail and road junction at Tahsingkou. Additionally, the reinforced 72nd Tank Brigade intercepted the counterattacking force of the 127th Division at Nianyantsun. The 39th Rifle Corps broke through the northern defenses of the 79th Division to seize the outskirts of Tumen, while the 88th Rifle Corps successfully pushed aside enemy defenders at Mayusan to occupy Onsang. At South Sakhalin, as the marine force surrounded Esutoru, the 22nd Independent Machinegun Company was deployed to support the marine assault, which quickly penetrated the urban area and secured the city by midday. Meanwhile, fighting continued around Mount Happo, where the 214th Tank Brigade was dispatched south toward the ultimate objective of Toyohara. However, given the distance involved, it was decided to conduct a second amphibious assault on the port of Maoka. On August 18, Yamada finally issued the ceasefire orders to the 1st, 3rd, and 17th Area Armies, as well as to the 4th Army and the 2nd Air Army. His chief of staff, Lieutenant-General Hata Hikosaburo, met with Marshal Vasilevsky in Harbin to discuss procedures for disarmament, the protection of Japanese nationals in Manchuria, and related matters. Meanwhile, the Kwantung Army Headquarters made extensive efforts to relay as much information as possible about the termination of hostilities and disarmament to its subordinate commands using all available communication methods. However, these efforts were hindered by the wide dispersal of forces, many of which initially refused to surrender. General Higuchi's 5th Area Army received the ceasefire orders on August 17. Although he quickly notified his units—particularly those in Sakhalin and the Kuriles, war continued in these islands for a short period as he sought to prevent a potential invasion of Hokkaido. In Sakhalin, Major Yoshio Suzuki, the Chief of Staff of the 88th Division, received Higuchi's combat order on the afternoon of August 16, preparations for ceasefire were already underway, such as the disbandment of mobilized units, the discharge of some troops, and the disposal of the regimental flag. The division had no tanks or aircraft, and certainly no anti-tank or anti-aircraft weapons that could withstand Soviet forces. In light of this, Suzuki quickly ordered the re-arming of units and the occupation of positions, in accordance with the desire of Mineki and Higuchi to prevent the fall of South Sakhalin and a possible invasion of Hokkaido. Civilians, at this point, were already voicing complaints, wondering if the military was still going to continue fighting. After the surrender of the 125th Infantry Regiment, the Japanese command in the Northern District was effectively assumed by the staff of the 88th Division stationed at Kamishikika. During the fighting on the central military road, by the morning of August 17, evacuation of the civilian population from Kamishikika had been completed, and the town was burned to the ground by Japanese forces' scorched earth tactics, along with an air raid by 20 Soviet aircraft. Kamishikika was abandoned on August 20, marking the start of a full retreat. The construction of a defensive line involving the destruction of the Uro Bridge and the Chidori River Bridge was considered but ultimately abandoned due to the presence of evacuees. Meanwhile, in the Kuriles, a new operation was unfolding. According to Vasilevsky's orders, once operations against Manchuria and South Sakhalin were sufficiently advanced, a small force from the Kamchatka Defense Region, supported by naval units from the Petropavlovsk Naval Base, was to conduct amphibious assaults on the Kuril Islands in preparation for a future landing at the port of Rumoi on Hokkaido's west coast On August 15, President Truman and Soviet Premier Stalin agreed that Japanese forces north of the 38th Parallel would surrender to the Soviets, while those to the south would surrender to the Americans. Stalin's agreement surprised the US, as there was little chance of American forces landing on the Korean peninsula at that time. In what many scholars interpret as an attempt to achieve reciprocal generosity from Truman, Stalin proposed amending the order to include the northern half of Hokkaido and all of the Kuril Islands in the region of surrender to Soviet forces. This northern portion, he stated, should be demarcated by a line drawn ‘from the town of Kushiro on the eastern coast . . . to the town of Rumoe (Rumoi) on the western coast . . .', with both towns included in the occupation area However, Truman only acquiesced concerning the Kuriles, honoring the pact reached at Yalta, while specifying that all the islands of mainland Japan were to surrender to General MacArthur. Nonetheless, concerned by the exclusion of the Kuriles from the original agreement, Stalin instructed Vasilevsky to organize landings to occupy the islands. This mission was assigned to Purkayev's 2nd Far Eastern Front and Yumashev's Pacific Fleet, which, in turn, designated Major-General Aleksei Gnechko's Kamchatka Defense Region and Captain Dmitri Ponomarev's Petropavlovsk Naval Base to execute the first landings on Shumshu and Paramushir, followed by a subsequent amphibious assault on Onekotan. These inexperienced commanders had limited time to plan for their operations, assemble the necessary commercial vessels for transportation, and hurriedly gather the army units dispersed across Kamchatka. Ultimately, the primary unit chosen for the landings was Major-General Porfiry Dyakov's 101st Rifle Division, supplemented by a battalion of marines. Meanwhile, Ponomarev managed to gather an invasion flotilla of 64 vessels. Although the Soviets had air superiority, it was unreliable due to the peculiar climatic conditions. “There were very peculiar climatic conditions in the Far East and Sakhalin; almost every airfield had its own special microclimate. In the coastal zone, frequent outbursts of moist sea air, forming a curtain of thick fog, caused a lot of trouble.”. The limited firepower of Ponomarev's flotilla forced the Soviets to land on the northeast corner of Shumshu, which could be targeted by the coastal guns at Cape Lopatka. Additionally, Gnechko planned a diversionary landing on the southeast side of the island. Opposing the Soviets, Higuchi had Lieutenant-General Tsutsumi Fusaki's 91st Division garrisoning the northern islands of Shumshu and Paramushir, the 41st Independent Mixed Regiment on Matsuwa Island, the 129th Independent Mixed Brigade on Uruppu Island, and Lieutenant-General Ogawa Gonosuke's 89th Division stationed on the southern islands of Etorofu, Shikotan, and Kunashiri. Shumshu is the northernmost island in the Kuril chain, separated from Cape Lopatka, the southernmost tip of the Kamchatka Peninsula, by the 11-kilometer-wide First Kuril Strait. Covering an area of approximately 388 square kilometers and roughly oval in shape , Shumshu's proximity to Soviet territory, similar to its larger neighbor to the south, Paramushir, ensured that it was strongly defended. The garrison on Shumshu comprised about 8,500 troops, whereas the larger island boasted a garrison of approximately 14,500. The strait between the two islands narrows to about 2.5 kilometers at its smallest point, thus allowing these garrisons to provide mutual support. As Slavinsky notes: “Shumshu and Paramushir, with their naval bases located opposite each other on both sides of the Second Kuril Strait, were, in essence, a single key position.” The capture of Shumshu was crucial to the success of subsequent island operations. While there were several airfields on these islands, they housed very few aircraft, which had been withdrawn earlier to the Japanese main islands in preparation for the anticipated “final battle” with the Americans. However, Shumshu was defended by a tank force from the 11th Tank Regiment, commanded by Colonel Sueo Ikeda. This force consisted of thirty-nine medium tanks, including nineteen Type-97 Chi-Ha tanks and twenty Type-97 ShinHoTo Chi-Ha (improved Type-97) tanks, alongside twenty-five Type-95 Ha-Go light tanks. Both Shumshu and Paramushir were equipped with permanent defensive works along the coast and inland. On Shumshu, these defenses included 34 bunkers and 24 pillboxes within several powerful strongpoints, featuring around 100 guns of varying calibers, some reaching up to 100mm. Approximately 300 prepared firing points were established for both heavy and light machine guns. Most of Shumshu's coast is bordered by cliffs, leading to a concentration of the strongest defenses in areas deemed vulnerable to amphibious assault. Notably, a battery was installed in the wreck of the Soviet tanker Mariupol, which had become stranded on the beach between Cape Kokutan and Cape Kotomari in 1943. Although the island is relatively flat, it possesses several hills with sides that are nearly bare of trees, and these heights also housed additional strongpoints. Shumshu features 120 kilometers of roads, which facilitated terrestrial communication between various points. Additionally, the garrison constructed numerous dummy installations to mislead reconnaissance efforts. Nevertheless, Ponomarev's flotilla departed from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky at approximately 05:00 on August 17, moving slowly and stealthily toward their objective in foggy conditions. This weather ultimately forced Gnechko to cancel the planned diversionary landing. In any event, the first landing craft approached the beach at 04:22 hours on 18 August still hidden in the murk, but were forced to halt some 100–150m from shore in water up to 2m deep; they had been overloaded which prevented them getting closer in. The troops of the advanced detachment (two companies of marines, a maritime border guard company, and a submachine gun company) had then to wade, heavily burdened, to dry land. This went on undisturbed until personnel on one of the landing craft opened fire; this, spreading to the other ships, alerted the defenders, who replied with ‘promiscuous' machine-gun fire. Nevertheless, by 05:00 hours, and having suffered only ‘insignificant' losses, the advanced detachment was ashore and its main force, under Major Pyotr Shutov, was moving off the beach into the interior of the island. Two groups of marines moved left and right to deal with enemy positions on the capes flanking the landing ground. They managed to destroy several firing points, but were too few to overcome the stronger resistance nests protecting the gun positions. A series of hills inland formed the initial objective of the advance. Behind them, Dyatlov's first wave faced heavy bombardment from Japanese artillery, suffering significant casualties as the troops struggled to scramble ashore by 09:00. The second wave experienced a similar fate but managed to disembark by 13:00, joining the first wave in advancing on the high ground to the southwest. This second wave successfully repelled a series of Japanese tank counterattacks, resulting in the loss of Colonel Sueo. Despite being pushed back somewhat, the Soviets held their position while their aircraft targeted the naval bases on the island's southern side, aiming to hinder reinforcements from Paramushir. By nightfall, Gnechko's forces had secured a beachhead approximately 4 kilometers wide and 5 kilometers deep, while assault groups successfully destroyed Japanese artillery positions on Cape Kokutan and Cape Kotomari. Meanwhile, Kabanov's new Southern Defense Region command was ordered to quickly land naval units at Odaejin and Gensan to prevent the Japanese from evacuating their forces from Korea to the Home Islands. Consequently, a small naval force from the 13th Naval Infantry Brigade departed from Chongjin, successfully landing unopposed at Odaejin at 08:00 on August 18. Elsewhere in eastern Manchuria, the 25th Army consolidated its hold on northeastern Korea, dispatching the 10th Mechanized Corps west toward Tunhua and Kirin and northwest toward Tungchingcheng amidst the surrender of Murakami's 3rd Army. The 72nd Rifle Corps successfully crossed the Mutan River north of Ningan, while units from the 1st Red Banner Army and the 5th Army were deployed to receive and process surrendering Japanese units of Shimizu's 5th Army. To the north, the 2nd Red Banner Army maintained pressure on the Aihun and Sunwu Fortified Regions, leading to the surrender of the 123rd Division, although the 135th Independent Mixed Brigade continued to resist at Aihun. Be that as it may, the Japanese artillery positioned at Cape Kokutan and Cape Kotomari wreaked havoc on the second echelon, which was comprised of the 373rd Rifle Regiment. During this engagement, a patrol boat and four landing craft were lost, while eight others sustained serious damage. Once again, Soviet troops were forced to improvise ways to reach dry land; however, this time, the echelon's commander, Colonel P.A. Artyushen, along with his headquarters, managed to land via a torpedo boat. It took until 13:00 hours to fully disembark the second echelon, by which point its forward units had linked up with those forces advancing on the high ground to the southwest. By then, Artyushen had assumed command of all the forces ashore. While the number of troops was considerable, they still lacked heavy weapons, with only four 45mm anti-tank guns having been landed. Unsurprisingly, the Japanese counterattacked as soon as possible, with the advanced forward units under Shutov bearing the brunt of the assault. In a reversal of the combat situations previously encountered throughout the war with Japan, Soviet infantry now found themselves facing several tank attacks from the Japanese. One of these assaults was personally led by Colonel Sueo Ikeda, the commander of the 11th Tank Regiment, who was reported to be waving a samurai sword and Japanese flag from the turret, according to some accounts. Fortunately for the Soviets, these Japanese tanks were relatively weak compared to the T-34. While they posed a threat to unsupported infantry, they proved vulnerable to Degtyarev PTRD-41 anti-tank rifles and RPG-43 anti-tank grenades. The tank-led attacks were ultimately repelled, with Colonel Sueo perishing in the fighting. Despite being pushed back somewhat, the Soviets managed to withstand the onslaught. For his heroism during this challenging combat situation, in which he was wounded three times, Shutov was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, along with the Order of Lenin and the Golden Star medal. Despite being somewhat pushed back, the Soviets held their ground while their aircraft targeted the naval bases on the southern side of the island to hinder reinforcements from Paramushir. The weather cleared sufficiently in the late morning, allowing Soviet air strikes to commence that afternoon. These strikes involved groups of eight to sixteen aircraft and were primarily directed at the Kataoka and Kashiwabar naval bases, successfully preventing the transfer of Japanese reinforcements from Paramushir. However, the sky remained cloudy enough to hinder any close battlefield support. As Zakharov et al. described it, the situation on the ground “remained tense.” The thinning fog later allowed seven Japanese aircraft to appear at 10:30 hours, attempting to strike at the shipping gathered off the landing beach. Their first strike targeted the Kirov, but it was unsuccessful, and the attackers were driven off by anti-aircraft fire. A second attempt at 12:00 hours focused on the minesweeper T-525, which also failed, resulting in two of the attacking aircraft being shot down by gunfire. By nightfall on 18 August, it was evident that the Soviet landing had succeeded to the point where the forces would not be driven back into the sea. The invasion force had established a beachhead approximately 4 kilometers wide and 5 kilometers deep, and they were capable of defending this position against any immediate Japanese counterattacks, despite most of their artillery still being stuck offshore. Gnechko, stationed at Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, ordered that enough artillery be transported ashore overnight to resume the offensive, with the goal of occupying the island by the end of 19 August. He also dispatched several self-propelled barges and kungas (shallow-draft boats used for fishing or transport) to assist with the unloading, although these vessels could not arrive until the following morning. To eliminate further artillery attacks on shipping, assault groups were formed to attack and destroy the Japanese strongpoints on Cape Kokutan and Cape Kotomari during the hours of darkness. Shortly after midnight on 17 August, a second order regarding the cessation of hostilities was received from the First Area Army, directing that all fighting be stopped. At daybreak, General Murakami dispatched his intelligence chief, Lt. Col. Fujimoto, to Chiulungping to inform the Soviet tank battalion commander of the end of hostilities. Simultaneously, he ordered all divisions under his command to cease all combat operations. At approximately 16:00 hours, the Soviet tank battalion commander arrived at the Army Officers Club in Yenchi, where he conferred with Major General Hanjiro Iketani, the Army Chief of Staff. The following day, General Iketani traveled to Wangching to conduct armistice negotiations. The 72nd Rifle Corps finally crossed the Mutan River north of Ningan, while units from the 1st Red Banner Army and the 5th Army were deployed to receive and process the surrendering Japanese units of Shimizu's 5th Army. Since the Army began its withdrawal, communications with Area Army Headquarters in Tunhua had been completely disrupted. On the morning of the 17th, a member of the Manchurian Telegraph and Telephone Company's Harbin office sent a message via railway telephone concerning disarmament, stating that he had been asked by the First Area Army Headquarters to relay the information. The Army Commander and his staff, however, suspected it might be another ruse from the enemy's fifth column. They agreed to exercise caution in addressing the matter and decided to send Staff Officer Maeda to Area Army Headquarters in Tunhua by railway gasoline engine car to verify the truth. Colonel Maeda proceeded to the railway station, and while preparing to depart, he received a railway telephone call from Staff Officer Tsumori at Area Army Headquarters regarding the cease-fire order. Subsequently, around 14:00 hours, the Army convened a meeting with representatives from each unit to announce the cease-fire orders. That evening, Soviet forces began entering Hengtaohotzu and immediately started disarming Japanese forces. Looking west, the bulk of the 36th Army advanced southward and seized the railroad station at Chalantun amid the surrender of the 119th Division. The 86th Rifle Corps, after several days of intense artillery bombardment, finally extinguished the last remnants of Japanese resistance at Hailar, forcing the 80th Independent Mixed Brigade to surrender. Meanwhile, the 39th Army forces prepared for transport to Changchun and then on to the Liaotung Peninsula. The 17th Army moved toward the coast, capturing Pingchuan and Linguan before reaching the coastline at Shanhaiguan, directly across from the Liaotung Peninsula. Additionally, Pliyev's Soviet-Mongolian forces approached the outskirts of Kalgan, where they encountered a small contingent of the China Expeditionary Army. Indeed, with the surrender of the Kwantung Army, the war was coming to an end. However, several independent units, including the one mentioned, would continue to resist into the last days of August, thereby prolonging the Pacific War by another week. I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. In August 1945, amidst Japan's turmoil, the Soviet Union surprisingly invaded Manchuria. As chaos ensued, Japanese forces in South Sakhalin faced robust Soviet resistance. Ultimately, Japan's surrender shattered its imperial power, marking a historic end to the Pacific War, leaving a nation in ruins yet igniting a fragile hope for the future beyond the horrors of conflict.
On this edition of Parallax Views, journalist and war correspondent Tom Mutch, author of The Dogs of Mariupol: The Invasion of Ukraine and the Future of War, joins the show to discuss his frontline reporting on the Russia–Ukraine war and the hard lessons of a conflict that continues to reshape global politics. We begin by revisiting the shocking first days of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, when many in Moscow and the West assumed Ukraine would collapse within days. Why did so many analysts underestimate Ukraine's resilience, and what explains the country's remarkable ability to withstand Vladimir Putin's assault? From there, we examine how the war has evolved between 2022 and 2025—highlighting acts of courage by Ukrainian civilians and soldiers, but also the immense human cost of the conflict. Tom reflects on mistakes made by Ukraine and the West, including the absence of a coherent U.S. strategy for aiding Kyiv, and whether Washington's focus has sometimes been more about weakening Russia than guaranteeing Ukraine's territorial sovereignty. We also address difficult questions such as the controversial defense of Bakhmut, whether Ukraine committed critical tactical errors, and what the future may hold: negotiations, diplomacy, or total victory. The conversation goes beyond Ukraine as well. We discuss the significance of Nagorno-Karabakh in understanding today's revived great-power politics, and how the war in Gaza has negatively impacted Ukraine, especially as Israel's actions have come under scrutiny and undermined U.S. moral credibility as an arbiter of the global order. Finally, Tom speaks to audiences split on the war—those skeptical of Ukraine's continued fight and U.S. military aid, and those who strongly defend Kyiv's efforts. While Mutch comes from a firmly pro-Ukraine perspective, he offers a nuanced and critical edge that challenges simplistic narratives on both sides of the debate. He also offers criticisms of the American right-wing's views on Ukraine, addresses controversies around the Azov Battalion and the cultural significance of WWII-era far-right figure Stepan Bandera in modern Ukraine, and more.
Oggi torniamo a Gaza, perché Israele si prepara all'offensiva finale per prendere il controllo di tutto il territorio, poi c'è una novità sul caso Almasri, quindi andiamo in Ucraina per una storia che arriva da Mariupol, e infine parliamo di Jannik Sinner. ... Qui il link per iscriversi al canale Whatsapp di Notizie a colazione: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7X7C4DjiOmdBGtOL3z Per iscriverti al canale Telegram: https://t.me/notizieacolazione ... Qui gli altri podcast di Class Editori: https://milanofinanza.it/podcast Musica https://www.bensound.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The war in Ukraine started in February 2022 when Russia launched a full-scale invasion. We watched as civilians sheltered from airstrikes and buildings became ruins in the Oscar award-winning documentary ‘20 Days in Mariupol’, just as the Russians took siege of one of Ukraine’s largest metropolitan areas. Now, three years after the Russian invasion and two years after that film's release, writer, director and producer, Mstyslav Chernov’s follow up documentary, ‘2000 Meters to Andriivka’ takes us back to the frontline as we follow Ukrainian soldiers on a mission to liberate the small town of Andriivka. Austin Cross sat down with Chernov to talk about the documentary and the importance of capturing the war on camera. Visit www.preppi.com/LAist to receive a FREE Preppi Emergency Kit (with any purchase over $100) and be prepared for the next wildfire, earthquake or emergency!
Oscar-winning director Mstyslav Chernov's follow-up to “20 Days in Mariupol” is another masterful portrait of the war in Ukraine, titled “2000 Meters to Andriivka.” This film captures a Ukrainian platoon's mission: traverse a heavily fortified mile of forest to liberate a strategic village from Russian forces. Mstyslav shares with Tiller his experience capturing the harrowing search for humanity through the lens in a war zone (2:00), removing his bias as a Ukrainian so the film doesn't feel like propaganda (13:00), crafting the score with his composer (20:00), editing the rhythm of battlefield scenes like a musical album (29:00), and how he remains centered while making these films (37:00). Produced by: Jacob Miller Executive Producer: Tiller Russell Music by: James Carroll, Graham Tracey & Zydepunk Distributed by: Jake Brennan & Brady Sadler, Double Elvis Productions
Day 1,253.Today, after a quieter night in the skies, we turn our focus to renewed tank movements on the ground and covert operations at sea – before sitting down with the director of the Oscar-winning ‘20 Days in Mariupol' to discuss his new film, ‘2000 Metres to Andriivka'. Plus we share how Elon Musk reportedly stopped Starlink operations during an important Ukrainian counterattack.Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.Hamish de Bretton Gordon (Former Tank Commander). @HamishDBG on X.Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist and Producer). @adeliepjz on X.With thanks to our guest, Mstyslav Chernov.Content Referenced:Learn More' About 2000 Meters To Andriivka':https://releasing.dogwoof.com/2000-meters-to-andriivka Musk ordered shutdown of Starlink satellite service as Ukraine retook territory from Russia (Reuters):https://www.reuters.com/investigations/musk-ordered-shutdown-starlink-satellite-service-ukraine-retook-territory-russia-2025-07-25/ Why Ukraine can't afford to demobilize its soldiers (Kyiv Independent):https://kyivindependent.com/why-ukraine-cant-afford-to-demobilize-its-soldiers/ Understanding Russia's Black Sea strategy (Chatham House):https://www.chathamhouse.org/2025/07/understanding-russias-black-sea-strategy 100 years of Telegraph Puzzles: Can you complete our first ever crossword?:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/07/28/100-years-the-telegraph-crossword-week-long-celebration/ Puzzles Main Page:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/puzzles/ SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST' WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/ Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It's free for everyone, including non-subscribers.Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
AP correspondent Emma Burrows reports the UK is slapping sanctions on Russian intelligence officers who targeted a Mariupol theater and the family of a poisoned spy.
In this compelling conversation, foreign policy expert and author Max Boot joins veteran journalist Warren Olney to examine the state of American democracy, global threats, and what's at stake in the months ahead. This episode of America at a Crossroads offers thoughtful analysis, historical perspective, and urgent questions about the direction of the U.S. and the world.
John Spencer is one of the world's foremost authorities on urban warfare, the kind of fighting that's reshaping modern conflict, from Gaza to Ukraine. A retired U.S. Army major, John served more than 25 years in uniform and now leads research as the Chair of Urban Warfare Studies at the Modern War Institute at West Point.He's walked the streets of Mariupol, studied the rubble of Gaza, and is now also analyzing India's own Operation Sindoor, offering insights to militaries around the world on how wars are fought — and lost — in cities. What makes John unique is not just his battlefield experience or academic expertise, but his ability to explain the brutal logic of urban warfare in a way that's deeply human, brutally honest, and urgently relevant.
Prospects for negotiations between the United States and Iran on nuclear proliferation have dimmed significantly.Just a few days ago, it seemed the two sides were ready to return to negotiations. But US President Donald Trump then said he was not speaking to Iran and was not offering Tehran anything. Iran's deputy foreign minister has told the BBC his country won't enter into talks on its nuclear programme. Also in the programme: We'll get a rare glimpse at life inside the Ukrainian city of Mariupol after three years of Russian occupation; and after calling the shots for 148 years, tennis tournament Wimbledon says goodbye to human line judges.(Photo: Iran's deputy foreign minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi in an interview with the BBC's Lyse Doucet. Credit: BBC)
Israel has carried out waves of airstrikes and artillery fire in Gaza, reportedly killing at least 60 people, some of them while queuing for aid. Medical officials say about 20 people were killed in an airstrike on a beachfront site in Gaza City. One eyewitness said women and children were present when a warplane fired. What is the strategy of Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, when it comes to the war in Gaza? Also in the programme: We get a rare glimpse of life in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol, under Russian occupation for three years; and we hear from a Norwegian lottery winner who was a millionaire for 15 minutes. (File photo: Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gives a statement during a visit to the site of the Weizmann Institute of Science, which was hit by an Iranian missile barrage, in the central city of Rehovot, Israel June 20, 2025. Credit: Jack Guez/Pool via Reuters)
Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Rod Stewart at Glastonbury Old school charm from another era Jurassic World Rebirth is out, Oasis return Whats coming up this week In pictures Sunday at Glastonbury Festival Trumps budget may cost millions healthcare as Senate debates bill Government condemns Glastonbury chants aired live on BBC Whats it like spending a night in Glastos Naughty Corner How safe is the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, really Stop Beyonc pauses show after flying Cadillac tilts mid air Ukraine war Mariupol residents deny Russian stories about the city Heatwave temperatures to hit 30C today as heatwave continues
Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Ukraine war Mariupol residents deny Russian stories about the city Rod Stewart at Glastonbury Old school charm from another era Heatwave temperatures to hit 30C today as heatwave continues Trumps budget may cost millions healthcare as Senate debates bill Jurassic World Rebirth is out, Oasis return Whats coming up this week Government condemns Glastonbury chants aired live on BBC Whats it like spending a night in Glastos Naughty Corner In pictures Sunday at Glastonbury Festival Stop Beyonc pauses show after flying Cadillac tilts mid air How safe is the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, really
Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Ukraine war Mariupol residents deny Russian stories about the city Whats it like spending a night in Glastos Naughty Corner Rod Stewart at Glastonbury Old school charm from another era Stop Beyonc pauses show after flying Cadillac tilts mid air Jurassic World Rebirth is out, Oasis return Whats coming up this week In pictures Sunday at Glastonbury Festival Heatwave temperatures to hit 30C today as heatwave continues How safe is the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, really Trumps budget may cost millions healthcare as Senate debates bill Government condemns Glastonbury chants aired live on BBC
Morse code transcription: vvv vvv Whats it like spending a night in Glastos Naughty Corner Heatwave temperatures to hit 30C today as heatwave continues Rod Stewart at Glastonbury Old school charm from another era Trumps budget may cost millions healthcare as Senate debates bill Jurassic World Rebirth is out, Oasis return Whats coming up this week Stop Beyonc pauses show after flying Cadillac tilts mid air In pictures Sunday at Glastonbury Festival Government condemns Glastonbury chants aired live on BBC How safe is the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, really Ukraine war Mariupol residents deny Russian stories about the city
Die Stadt Mariupol ist seit Mai 2022 unter russischer Kontrolle. Autorin Christine Hamel hat im ersten Jahr des Krieges zu den heftigen Kämpfen um die ukrainische Stadt recherchiert. Mariupol ist damals Ziel von russischen Bomben und Propaganda von beiden Seiten, während die Bevölkerung leidet.
Listen to Part 1 here.In this special two part episode of Chain Reaction, Senior Fellow Rob Lee interviews Yevgeniy Malik, a squad leader in Ukraine's 36th Marine Brigade. Malik fought in Mariupol during the beginning of the war and defended the Illich Iron and Steel Works. He spent more than two years in captivity in Russia as a prisoner of war from April 2022 to September 2024. In Part 2, Yevgeniy details his time in captivity in Russia's Mordovia prison, the circumstances of his eventual release in a prisoner exchange in September 2024, and reflects on his ordeal and the conflict as a whole. Please be advised that this episode contains content that may be disturbing to some listeners. Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe
In this special two part episode of Chain Reaction, Senior Fellow Rob Lee interviews Yevgeniy Malik, a squad leader in Ukraine's 36th Marine Brigade. Malik fought in Mariupol during the beginning of the war and defended the Illich Iron and Steel Works. He spent more than two years in captivity in Russia as a prisoner of war from April 2022 to September 2024. During this time Malik faced daily beatings and torture. In Part 1, Yevgeniy explains what it was like to be a prisoner of war in Russian prisons, and what the thousands of Ukrainian prisoners of war still face every day.Please be advised that this episode contains content that may be disturbing to some listeners.Part 1 - Chapters* Introductions - 2:26* Setting the scene in Mariupol - 5:04* Negotiating surrender - 14:43* Surrender at the bridge - 18:25* Arriving in Sartana - 20:29 * Time in Olenivka prison -22:19* Transfer into Russia - 26:37* Time in Ryarsk prison - 30:27* Interrogations - 46:25* A Day in Ryarsk - 56:18 Get full access to FPRI Insights at fpriinsights.substack.com/subscribe
Petro is Head of Center for the Study of the Occupation and former adviser to the Mayor of Mariupol. He came down to the bunker to talk about life in the occupied territories of Ukraine and how Russia erases Ukrainian identity as a part of their occupation strategy. Petro on twitter: https://x.com/petpavan Our stuff: Patreon. Get video early and also the new weekly newsletter: / inthebunkerwithdarth European Webshop: https://t.co/huXAGvKSag North America: webshop: https://t.co/IzRepx2m95 Katie twitter: https://x.com/kshmatsina Darth twitter: https://x.com/DarthPutinKGB Darth Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/darthputinkg... Katie Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/katiebelarus...
Day 1,192.Today, while missiles and drones ran down on Ukraine, and especially on Kharkiv, Ukraine and its allies are still waiting for Russia's memo on their terms for a potential ceasefire and peace talks next week in Istanbul. We also discuss the increase of electronic warfare on the battlefield and share an exclusive interview with former deputy assistant to the US president and senior director for European and Russian affairs on the U.S. National Security Council, Fiona Hill. Contributors:Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist and Producer). @adeliepjz on X.Hamish De Bretton-Gordon (Former British Army Tank Commander). @HamishDBG on XWith thanks to Fiona Hill (Former deputy assistant to the US president and senior director for European and Russian affairs on the U.S. National Security Council) and Cameron Henderson (US Reporter at the Telegraph). @CamHenderson98 on X.SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST' WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/ Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It's free for everyone, including non-subscribers.Content Referenced:Fiona Hill: Trump is terrified of Putin, I've seen it first hand, The Telegraph https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2025/05/25/fiona-hill-interview-trump-terrified-putin-seen-firsthand/Lessons of Ukraine: Properly equipped modern tanks will still rule the battlefield, The Telegraphhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/05/29/main-battle-tanks-ads-active-defence-ew-ukraine-drone-war/Moscow is now a target for Ukraine's Western missileshttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/05/28/moscow-target-ukraine-missiles-kremlin-putin-merz-taurus/Ukraine Drone Carriers Launch First Long-Range Autonomous Strikeshttps://www.forbes.com/sites/davidhambling/2025/05/26/ukraine-drone-carriers-launch-first-long-range-autonomous-strikes/China Cut Drone Sales to West But Supplies Them to Russia, Ukraine Sayshttps://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-05-29/china-cut-drone-sales-to-west-but-supplies-them-to-russia-ukraine-saysNOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them.Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatestSubscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In early 2022, as Russian troops massed on Ukraine's border, Tom Mutch, a freelance war reporter, took a trip to Mariupol to take the temperature of this (then) culturally vibrant port on the Sea of Azov. What stayed with him was the sound of the stray dogs and their "rhythmic and frantic barking, as if they were shouting a warning in unison". Within weeks, the city began a three-month siege and eventual fall but – to the surprise of many including Western powers – not just Kyiv but Mykolaiv, and Odesa held. Over the following months, resistance turned into reconquest and finally into a grinding artillery war of attrition reminiscent of the 1914-18 western front. In The Dogs of Mariupol: Russia's Invasion and the Forging of Ukraine's Iron Generation (Biteback, 2025), Tom Mutch tells the history of the war through members of the “iron generation” he met as a reporter and tells a darker tale of Ukrainian society since Bakhmut. *The author's book recommendations were Intent to Destroy: Russia's Two-Hundred-Year Quest to Dominate Ukraine by Eugene Finkel (Basic Books, 2024) and Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty by Patrick Radden Keefe (Picador, 2021). Tim Gwynn Jones is an economic and political-risk analyst at Medley Advisors, who also writes 242.news on Substack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network
Este fin de semana, llega a pantallas de cine el famoso "proyecto secreto" que hizo Luc Besson durante la pandemia. Esperamos 5 años y siendo Luc Besson quien es, quizá esperábamos más y otra cosa. "June y John" es una película congraciable pero ¿la mejor versión del cineasta francés? Aqui con machete afilado la partimos en rebanadas para intentar responder esto.Se está llevando a cabo una pequeña muestra de Sundance en México y Reclu ha asistido a las funciones especiales que después llegaran a salas abiertamente. Primeros vistazos a "2000 metros para Andriivka", el nuevo y angustiante documental del periodista ucraniano Mstyslav Chernov ("20 días en Mariupol") que te deja con el estomago en la mano. También se lanzó a ver una opera prima bien interesante que se llama "Plainclothes" de Carmen Emmi. Todo lo que hay en estas dos obras independientes, lo contamos.Primeros vistazos a la serie de Netflix "Sirenas" pero eso da para mucha charla que tendremos para el siguiente episodio.Pase y "deje su amor suyo de sí mismo" para este su podcast de cine favorito.
In early 2022, as Russian troops massed on Ukraine's border, Tom Mutch, a freelance war reporter, took a trip to Mariupol to take the temperature of this (then) culturally vibrant port on the Sea of Azov. What stayed with him was the sound of the stray dogs and their "rhythmic and frantic barking, as if they were shouting a warning in unison". Within weeks, the city began a three-month siege and eventual fall but – to the surprise of many including Western powers – not just Kyiv but Mykolaiv, and Odesa held. Over the following months, resistance turned into reconquest and finally into a grinding artillery war of attrition reminiscent of the 1914-18 western front. In The Dogs of Mariupol: Russia's Invasion and the Forging of Ukraine's Iron Generation (Biteback, 2025), Tom Mutch tells the history of the war through members of the “iron generation” he met as a reporter and tells a darker tale of Ukrainian society since Bakhmut. *The author's book recommendations were Intent to Destroy: Russia's Two-Hundred-Year Quest to Dominate Ukraine by Eugene Finkel (Basic Books, 2024) and Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty by Patrick Radden Keefe (Picador, 2021). Tim Gwynn Jones is an economic and political-risk analyst at Medley Advisors, who also writes 242.news on Substack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/eastern-european-studies
In early 2022, as Russian troops massed on Ukraine's border, Tom Mutch, a freelance war reporter, took a trip to Mariupol to take the temperature of this (then) culturally vibrant port on the Sea of Azov. What stayed with him was the sound of the stray dogs and their "rhythmic and frantic barking, as if they were shouting a warning in unison". Within weeks, the city began a three-month siege and eventual fall but – to the surprise of many including Western powers – not just Kyiv but Mykolaiv, and Odesa held. Over the following months, resistance turned into reconquest and finally into a grinding artillery war of attrition reminiscent of the 1914-18 western front. In The Dogs of Mariupol: Russia's Invasion and the Forging of Ukraine's Iron Generation (Biteback, 2025), Tom Mutch tells the history of the war through members of the “iron generation” he met as a reporter and tells a darker tale of Ukrainian society since Bakhmut. *The author's book recommendations were Intent to Destroy: Russia's Two-Hundred-Year Quest to Dominate Ukraine by Eugene Finkel (Basic Books, 2024) and Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty by Patrick Radden Keefe (Picador, 2021). Tim Gwynn Jones is an economic and political-risk analyst at Medley Advisors, who also writes 242.news on Substack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In early 2022, as Russian troops massed on Ukraine's border, Tom Mutch, a freelance war reporter, took a trip to Mariupol to take the temperature of this (then) culturally vibrant port on the Sea of Azov. What stayed with him was the sound of the stray dogs and their "rhythmic and frantic barking, as if they were shouting a warning in unison". Within weeks, the city began a three-month siege and eventual fall but – to the surprise of many including Western powers – not just Kyiv but Mykolaiv, and Odesa held. Over the following months, resistance turned into reconquest and finally into a grinding artillery war of attrition reminiscent of the 1914-18 western front. In The Dogs of Mariupol: Russia's Invasion and the Forging of Ukraine's Iron Generation (Biteback, 2025), Tom Mutch tells the history of the war through members of the “iron generation” he met as a reporter and tells a darker tale of Ukrainian society since Bakhmut. *The author's book recommendations were Intent to Destroy: Russia's Two-Hundred-Year Quest to Dominate Ukraine by Eugene Finkel (Basic Books, 2024) and Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty by Patrick Radden Keefe (Picador, 2021). Tim Gwynn Jones is an economic and political-risk analyst at Medley Advisors, who also writes 242.news on Substack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/journalism
In een nieuwe aflevering van Europa Draait Door aandacht voor de wederopbouw van Oekraïne, terwijl de oorlog nog volop woedt. Tim en Arend Jan spreken met stedenbouwkundige Fulco Treffers, die al sinds 2015 in Oekraïne actief is en inmiddels samenwerkt met meer dan honderd architecten aan de toekomst van een land dat grotendeels in puin ligt. Wat zegt het over de wilskracht van Oekraïeners dat ook zij, terwijl de bommen nog vallen, bezig zijn met de wederopbouw van hun land? En wat kan Europa doen om hierbij te helpen? Daarnaast aandacht voor de toenadering tussen de EU en het Verenigd Koninkrijk en de opvallende uitslag bij de Portugese verkiezingen. Trump on Biden cancer diagnosis (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DrhLWbWiPU) UK-EU post-Brexit reset: the key points (https://www.ft.com/content/47adc80f-ab03-49a1-9f7e-1a5962e71b83) 12N URBAN MATTERS_ (http://www.12n.nl/nl/about/) 20 Days in Mariupol (https://www.npodoc.nl/documentaires/2024/02/20-days-in-mariupol.html) Portugal's far right leads among youth ahead of legislative elections (https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2025/05/16/portugal-s-far-right-leads-among-youth-ahead-of-legislative-elections_6741357_4.html) Bruce Springsteen - Born to Run (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxuThNgl3YA)
With Israel conspicuously absent from Trump's first major Middle East trip, Christiane speaks with Biden's former Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman about the ethical concerns surrounding his overseas deals and meetings, the U.S. role in the war in Gaza, and new revelations about efforts by Biden's inner circle to conceal his decline ahead of the election. Then, Ukraine's former Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, speaks to Christiane about what the country should reasonably expect and where the crisis stands now after Putin was a no-show for ceasefire talks in Turkey. Clare Sebastian reports on Russia's propaganda campaign to maintain its grip on the occupied Ukrainian port city of Mariupol. And, as the war in Gaza continues with no ceasefire in sight, Israeli Alon Lee-Green and Palestinian citizen of Israel, Rula Daood, co-directors of "Standing Together", a Jewish-Arab movement for peace, discuss their hopes for ending the conflict, and shared activism. Also, as the first group of white South Africans landed as welcome refugees in the U.S. this week, from Christiane's archive, her 1997 report on the long post-apartheid path to reconciliation in the country. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Day 1,160.Today, as Vladimir Putin announces a sudden three-day ceasefire in May, we assess just how meaningful it really is, and ask: why now? Then we analyse another extraordinary weekend of diplomacy at Pope Francis's funeral, before learning more about the history of the Donbas: a region where much of the war's fiercest fighting has taken place.Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on XWith thanks to Victoria Donovan (Professor of Ukrainian and East European Studies at the University of St Andrews). @vsdonovan on X.Content Referenced:Victoria's Book: ‘Life in Spite of Everything: Tales from the Ukrainian East':https://www.amazon.co.uk/Life-Spite-Everything-Tales-Ukrainian/dp/1917092148Freefilmers - a collective of filmmakers and artists, originally from Mariupol:https://help-freefilmers.network/ Behind the scenes at Trump's most extraordinary meeting yet (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/04/28/russia-ukraine-zelensky-putin-war-ceasefire-latest-news529/ The Russian Military Moves That Have Europe on Edge (Wall Street Journal):https://www.wsj.com/world/russia/russia-military-nato-europe-finland-ff53b912 The ugly task of Putin-proofing your border (The Economist):https://www.economist.com/international/2025/04/22/the-ugly-task-of-putin-proofing-your-borderNOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them, or click the links below.Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatestLearn more about the tech: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/24/ukraine-the-latest-podcast-russian-ukrainian-ai-translation/Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
As we gear up for Season 5, please enjoy one of our favorite shows. Since we released this pod first in July of 2023, "20 Days in Mariupol" won the 2024 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. The letter “Z” seems innocent enough – until you see a Russian tank painted with that mark slowly turn its turret in your direction. For AP journalist Mstyslav Chernov, who, at the time, was covering the Ukrainian war from behind enemy lines in Mariupol, this was the moment when the Russians were closing in. As seen in his harrowing new documentary “20 Days in Mariupol”, in the period leading up to this, Mstyslav and his team had filmed graphic scenes of destruction and carnage at the hands of Russian bombs and shells. Contrary to Putin's claims, civilians were being targeted by the Russian military and this team, the only international journalists left in the city, had managed to get the images out to the world. Joining Ken on the podcast, Mstyslav discusses his frightful on-the-ground experience in Mariupol and the remarkable film that came out of it. How did Mstyslav find himself on the front lines of the propaganda war being waged by the Putin regime? Who was the enigmatic Vladimir, a kind of sage and protector, who ultimately led Mstyslav and his team to safety? And why does Mstyslav feel that, notwithstanding the terrible suffering documented in the film, there are also glimmers of hope? Released by PBS Distribution, “20 Days in Mariupol” opens theatrically in NYC on July 14 and in LA and SF on July 21. Hidden Gem: Sans Soleil Follow: @mstyslav.chernov on Instagram and @mstyslav9 on twitter @topdocspod on Instagram and twitter The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix.
Recently on Nash Holos I interviewed two authors of young adult novels set in war-torn Ukraine: 2022 Mariupol and 2014 Crimea. Both great reads but also gut-punching, even for adults."Kidnapped from Ukraine: Under Attack" by Marsha Skrypuch tells the story of 12-year old Dariia, who gets separated from her family during the attack on Mariupol. In the chaos she is abducted by russia, put through a filtration camp and placed against her will with a russian family."Swimming with Spies" tells the story of 12-year old Sofiya who tries to save Ukraine's therapy dolphins in Sevastopol from the invading russians intent on turning them back into military marine animals.Both authors share their experiences researching and writing these gripping, fascinating stories based on real life events in Ukraine. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Walking with the Savior - Testimonies of Jesus Christ in Christian Lives
Join the Walking with the Savior podcast as we explore "How God's Grace Heals Amid Ukraine's Pain and War." This powerful episode features Lindsay Bone, a humanitarian and professional violinist, who shares her heartfelt experiences serving on the front lines in Ukraine. Through the transformative power of faith, love, and music, Lindsay has brought comfort and hope to those suffering during one of the world's most challenging conflicts. From distributing life-saving supplies to performing soul-stirring violin concerts, Lindsay shows how ordinary people, guided by the love of Jesus Christ, can accomplish extraordinary acts of compassion and healing.Hear inspiring stories of resilience, miraculous moments, and the profound impact of Christian service in times of war. Discover how Lindsay's unwavering faith has guided her dangerous yet rewarding journey and how the grace of God continues to shine through acts of kindness, prayer, and unity among people of all Christian faiths. Whether you're looking for ways to support Ukraine or seeking to understand the true power of grace and redemption, this episode will touch your heart and renew your spirit.Be inspired to take action, share love, and pray for peace. Open your heart to these moving stories of hope, miracles, and the enduring love of Jesus Christ amid pain and war. Don't forget to share this episode with others and join us in making a difference. Together, through His grace, we can heal.
Day 1,106.We cover Zelensky's letter to Trump, aiming to mend their relationship after Friday's heated exchange. We also explore the incoming German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's plan to boost defense and infrastructure spending. In addition, Trump bans the UK from sharing Washington's intelligence with Ukraine, and reports surface of Ukrainian soldiers resorting to throwing beehives after running out of grenades.Contributors:Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist and Producer). @adeliepjz on X.Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.Tom Mutch (War & Human Rights Journalist). @Tomthescribe on X.NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them, or click the links below.Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatestLearn more about the tech: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/24/ukraine-the-latest-podcast-russian-ukrainian-ai-translation/Content Referenced:Pre-Order Tom Mutch's Book, The Dogs of Mariupol:https://www.bitebackpublishing.com/books/the-dogs-of-mariupol European rearmament is going to turn the world upside down (Ambrose Evans Pritchard in The Telegraph:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/03/04/european-rearmament-is-going-to-turn-the-world-upside-down/Telegraph Ukraine Live Blog:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/03/05/russia-ukraine-trump-zelensky-putin-war-live-news/China says it is ‘ready for war' with Americahttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/03/05/china-ready-war-america-raises-defence-spending-72-per-cent/Watch: Ukrainian soldiers throw beehive at Russians after running out of grenadeshttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/03/05/ukrainian-soldiers-throw-beehive-at-russians/Ukraine Without America: How Kyiv Can Persist In the Face of a Hostile Washington (Foreign Affairs):https://www.foreignaffairs.com/ukraine/ukraine-without-americaSubscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
After the break up of the Soviet Union in the 90s, the problem of street children in Ukraine began to grow. Pastor Gennadiy Mokhnenko started taking them off the streets in the now devastated city of Mariupol and adopting them. The 56 year-old is now father to over 40 kids, serves as a military chaplain on the frontline and continues to adopt throughout the war. Matthew Syed asks whether it's possible to truly love so many children. He hears from a biologist about the scientific limits of love and an anthropologist about the unique ways in which humans can grow and flex their love, almost like a muscle. He also delves into his mother's deeply personal experience of raising a non-biological child, relates expert analysis to her complex emotions and questions whether human beings really do have the capacity for limitless love.With Ukrainian pastor and military chaplain Gennadiy Mokhnenko, anthropologist and author Dr Anna Machin, biologist Dr Liat Yakir and Matthew's mum, Dilys Syed.Presenter: Matthew Syed Producer: Vishva Samani Editor: Georgia Moodie Sound Design and Mix: Daniel Kempson Theme music by Ioana Selaru A Novel production for BBC Radio 4
Ep. 289: Eric Hynes on Sundance 2025: Preview and 2000 Meters to Andriivka Welcome to The Last Thing I Saw, with your host, Nicolas Rapold. The 2025 edition of the Sundance Film Festival has begun, and I kick things off with curator Eric Hynes of the Museum of the Moving Image. We talk about where Sundance's evolving plans for the future, we trade a few titles we're anticipating in the lineup, and finally we talk about a film that premiered on the first night. That would be 2,000 Meters to Andriivka, the bold new documentary from Mstyslav Chernov, whose 20 Days in Mariupol won an Academy Award (and who has been a guest on this podcast). Much more is to come, so don't be a stranger! Please support the production of this podcast by signing up at: rapold.substack.com Photo by Steve Snodgrass