Ukraine: The Latest

Latest Episodes:

'We'll throttle your war machine': US lawmakers finally pass major Russia sanctions bill Sep 17, 2026

Show notes

Day 1,663.

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

Contributors:

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

Sophie O’Sullivan (Telegraph Journalist).

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

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

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

CONTENT REFERENCED:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Papers featuring testimony of sexual violence in war:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

EMAIL US:

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

HIGHLIGHTS:

'We'll throttle your war machine': US lawmakers pass major Russia sanctions bill
Ukraine targets Russian oil refinery and aircraft, igniting huge blaze

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

'We will not obey a criminal state': The activists who smuggle deserters out of Russia Sep 16, 2026

Show notes

Day 1,662.

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

Contributors:

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

Alex Nichol (Telegraph Journalist).

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

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

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

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Get Lost organisation website

https://iditelesom.org/en

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

EMAIL US:

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

HIGHLIGHTS:

Meet the activists who smuggled 3600 deserters out of Russia
New Ukrainian interceptor destroys Russia's powerful jet-powered drone

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

Exclusive: ‘My son moved to Russia for love. Now, he’s missing on the front line’ Sep 15, 2026

Show notes

Day 1,661.

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

Contributors:

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

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

With thanks to Valerie Stobbart.

Producer: Phil Atkins

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

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

CONTENT REFERENCED:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jared Kushner’s Dollar Diplomacy (New Yorker)

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

Learn more about the Ukrainian Film Festival in London:

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

EMAIL US:

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

HIGHLIGHTS:

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.

Putin 'knocking on doors of NATO' with near-miss strike on train of European officials Sep 14, 2026

Show notes

Day 1,660.

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

Contributors:

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

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

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

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

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

CONTENT REFERENCED:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Francis’s interview with Ambassador Daniel Fried:

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

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

On Apple:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

EMAIL US:

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

HIGHLIGHTS:

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.

Putin will exhaust Russia’s capacity by 2028, Ukrainian intelligence chief says Sep 11, 2026

Show notes

Day 1,657.

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

Contributors:

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

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

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: James England

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

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

CONTENT REFERENCED:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

EMAIL US:

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

HIGHLIGHTS:

Putin will exhaust Russia’s capacity by 2028, Ukrainian intelligence chief says
British officials confirm record Russian casualty rate

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

Record-breaking Ukrainian drone strikes 3000km from frontline as Russia exceeds 1.5 million casualties Sep 10, 2026

Show notes

Day 1,656.

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

Contributors:

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

Alex Nichol (Telegraph Journalist).

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Tom Steed

Social Producer: Anita Blay

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

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

CONTENT REFERENCED:

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

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

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

Rethinking Ukraine’s Manpower Challenge (Carnegie Endowment)

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

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

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

EMAIL US:

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

Thumbnail image credit: NOEL Reports

HIGHLIGHTS:

Record-breaking Ukrainian drone strike hits gas facility 3000km from frontline
Russia exceeds 1.5 million casualties in Ukraine

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

Ukraine strikes set Russian oil terminal ablaze and Putin warned economy risks going ‘berserk’ Sep 09, 2026

Show notes

Day 1,655.

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

Contributors:

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

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

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

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

CONTENT REFERENCED:

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

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

David’s Obituary from 2024:

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

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

EMAIL US:

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

HIGHLIGHTS:

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.

Ukrainian counterattack 'liberates 200 square kilometres' & remembering David Knowles, creator of 'Ukraine: The Latest' Sep 08, 2026

Show notes

Day 1,654.

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

Contributors:

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

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

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

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

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: James England

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

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

CONTENT REFERENCED:

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

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

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

David’s Obituary from 2024:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

EMAIL US:

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

HIGHLIGHTS:

Ukrainian counterattack 'liberates 200 square kilometers'
Remembering David Knowles, creator of 'Ukraine: The Latest'

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

Trump envoys finally visit Kyiv as pro-Russia AfD wins in Germany Sep 07, 2026

Show notes

Day 1,653.

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

Contributors:

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

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

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

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: James England

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

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

CONTENT REFERENCED:

James Rothwell’s documentary on the AfD:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

EMAIL US:

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

HIGHLIGHTS:

Trump envoys Witkoff and Kushner finally visit Kyiv after stop in Moscow
Pro-Russia AfD wins German state election

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Ukrainian spy HQ ablaze after Russian ‘assassination attempt’ on intelligence chief Sep 04, 2026

Show notes

Day 1,650.

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

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

Contributors:

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

Sophie O’Sullivan (Telegraph Journalist).

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

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

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

CONTENT REFERENCED:

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

Exclusive interview with Petr Pavel at NATO:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

EMAIL US:

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

HIGHLIGHTS:

Ukrainian spy HQ ablaze after Russian ‘assassination attempt’ on intelligence chief
Russian general who ‘ordered strike on children’s hospital’ shot dead

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