Ukraine: The Latest

Latest Episodes:

Russian ship fires lasers at British war plane & Trump 'in secret consultation' with Kremlin over Ukraine Nov 19, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,364.

Today, as Ukraine confirms the latest use of US ATACMS missiles inside Russia and Britain tracks a Russian spy ship in UK waters, we examine growing pressure on President Zelensky to dismiss a senior official over the widening nuclear-energy corruption scandal – with Andriy Yermak increasingly in the spotlight. We also report on allegations that a former British civil servant committed war crimes in Ukraine, and discuss why Spain is attempting to return to Donald Trump’s good graces with a new €1 billion purchase of U.S. weapons for Ukraine. Later, we speak with the Foreign Minister of Czechia, who says he expects imminent movement on efforts to unlock frozen Russian state assets.

Contributors

Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.

Joe Barnes (Brussels Correspondent). @Barnes_Joe on X.

With thanks to Jan Lipavský, Foreign Minister of Czechia.

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:

British ex-civil servant accused of Ukraine war crimes (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/11/19/british-ex-civil-servant-graham-phillips-ukraine-war-crimes/

Russian spy ship fires lasers to blind RAF pilots (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/11/19/russian-spy-blinds-military-pilots-spy-ship-lasers/

Scoop: U.S. secretly drafting new plan to end Ukraine war (Axios):

https://www.axios.com/2025/11/19/ukraine-peace-plan-trump-russia-witkoff

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/ukrainethelatest

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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

Putin turns on his own war cheerleaders & Russia builds new naval base for Black Sea fleet Nov 18, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,363.

Today, after a 17-year-old girl was killed and 9 others injured in an overnight Russian missile attack in Kharkiv Oblast, we return to the dire situation in Pokrovsk, before asking why Vladimir Putin is targeting his own war cheerleaders in his latest clampdown. Then we look at the First World War medical condition being reported on the frontlines in Ukraine, and hear from an American serving in the Ukrainian army.

Contributors

Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.

Verity Bowman (Journalist). @VerityBowman on X.

Hamish de Bretton-Gordon (Chemical Weapons Expert and former Tank Commander). @hamishdbg on x.

SIGN UP TO THE ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Gas gangrene returns to Ukraine in echoes of First World War trench warfare (Verity in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/terror-and-security/gas-gangrene-ukraine-war-russia-trenches-europe/

‘Coffin on wheels’ saves wounded Ukrainian soldier from no-man’s land (Verity in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/11/17/robot-coffin-on-wheels-saves-ukrainian-soldier-trapped/

Russia suspected of blowing up Polish railway line (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/11/17/russia-suspected-of-blowing-up-polish-railway-line-ukraine/

Putin goes after his own war cheerleaders (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/11/16/putin-goes-after-his-own-war-cheerleaders/

Putin is eating his own supporters. This is how dictators fall (Hamish in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/11/17/putin-z-bloggers-suppression-supporters-russia-war-ukraine/

Key government representatives advise Zelensky to release Yermak (Ukrainian Pravda):

https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2025/11/18/8007753/

EU eyes €90 Billion Ukraine grant (Bloomberg):

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-11-17/eu-pitches-90-billion-ukraine-grant-if-russian-asset-loan-fails

Construction Accelerates at Planned Russian Navy Base (Bellingcat):

https://www.bellingcat.com/news/uk-and-europe/2024/07/30/construction-accelerates-at-planned-russian-navy-base-in-disputed-abkhazia/

LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST IN NEW LANGUAGES:

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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

Ship ablaze after surprise attack on Danube port; 'sabotage' as explosion hits Polish railway track & surviving Putin's gulags Nov 17, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,362.

Today, as Poland reports sabotage on vital rail links connecting it to Ukraine and Romania evacuates civilians after Russian strikes across the Danube, we unpack President Zelensky’s latest diplomatic push – including a new energy deal with Greece and a landmark agreement with France for 100 fighter jets. Later, we speak with Vladimir Kara-Murza, the prominent opposition figure arrested in 2022 for denouncing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and given a 25-year sentence in a Siberian penal colony. He discusses life inside prison and how Putin’s regime suppresses dissent.

Contributors

Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.

Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.

James Crisp (Europe Editor). @JamesCrisp6 on X.

With thanks to Vladimir Kara-Murza.

SIGN UP TO THE ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Vladimir Kara-Murza: what stopped me going mad in Putin’s gulag (The Telegraph):

https://tinyurl.com/2sxzyhmn

North Korean troops deployed to clear land mines for Russia (The Telegraph):

https://tinyurl.com/25fw4kds

Russia seizes land after Kyiv diverts troops (The Telegraph):

https://tinyurl.com/ydtnrd7u

Exclusive: Russia plans to make up to 120,000 glide bombs this year, Ukrainian intelligence says (Reuters):

https://tinyurl.com/mtymsp8c

How Britain replaced the US as Russia’s villain of choice (The Guardian):

https://www.theguardian.com/world/ng-interactive/2025/nov/16/how-britain-became-russia-villain-us-ukraine

Viewings of ‘Facing War’ at Bertha DocHouse in London:

https://dochouse.org/event/facing-war/

LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST IN NEW LANGUAGES:

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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

Global oil prices spike by 2% after ‘shattering’ strike on Russian port & exclusive interview with deputy head of Zelensky’s office Nov 14, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,359.

Today, as one of Russia’s largest oil terminals burns following an overnight strike, we report on yet another aerial blitz on Kyiv and assess the latest wave of European support for Ukraine. We also examine German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s call for President Zelensky to stem the flow of young Ukrainian men fleeing to Germany. Later, we bring you an exclusive interview with the Deputy Head of Zelensky’s Presidential Office, who shares Kyiv’s latest response to the corruption scandal engulfing the administration – and warns that Ukrainian society this summer was at “boiling point.”

Contributors

Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.

Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.

With thanks to Ihor Brusylov, Deputy Head of Zelensky’s Presidential Office.

SIGN UP TO THE ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Francis’s Book Review: ‘How Gorbachev fooled the West into thinking he was a liberal visionary’ (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gift/c726678d9006e83d

Watch: Ukraine helicopter shoots down Russian drone using American minigun (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/11/13/ukraine-helicopter-minigun-shoots-down-russian-drone/

Germany slams door on Ukrainian men fleeing war (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/11/13/germany-slams-door-ukrainian-men-fleeing-war-russia-merz/

US sanctions Ukrainian firms accused of helping supply parts for Iran’s Shahed drones used by Russia (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/iran-buys-shahed-components-from-within-ukraine-us-treasury/?mc_cid=c6b36a0bef&mc_eid=08d0680a95

LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST IN NEW LANGUAGES:

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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

Biggest corruption scandal of Zelensky’s presidency rattles country & Polish civilians arm themselves in case of Russian invasion Nov 13, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,359.

Today, as Ukraine launches more projectiles at Russia than it receives in return, we examine the worsening situation on the ground in the Zaporizhzhia region and the growing domestic turmoil facing President Zelensky, as the corruption scandal rattles his government. We then look at the latest defence measures being adopted across Germany, Norway, and Poland, and end with voices from a Ukrainian women’s film festival highlighting resilience, creativity, and the power of cultural resistance amid war.

Contributors

Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.

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

Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist and Producer). @adeliepjz on X.

With thanks to Mariia Vynogradova and Ksenia Bugrimova from the Women and the World International Film Festival.

SIGN UP TO THE ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Tanks or drones? German defence giants clash over how to rebuild military (James Rothwell in The Telegraph):

https://tinyurl.com/yc7tdthu

Polish civilians arm themselves in case of Russian invasion (James Rothwell in The Telegraph):

https://tinyurl.com/56y9m2s4

Russia massing nuclear fleet in Arctic Circle ‘for war with Nato’ (James Rothwell in The Telegraph):

https://tinyurl.com/bdv28359

More Soldiers, More Gold (Bild):

https://tinyurl.com/bdurmwxf

Ukraine’s Hardest Winter (Jack Watling in Foreign Affairs):

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/ukraine/ukraines-hardest-winter

Ukraine withdraws from positions near settlement in Zaporizhzhia (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-withdraws-from-another-settlement-in-zaporizhzhia-oblast-amid-ongoing-russian-offensive/?mc_cid=73117cc8fa&mc_eid=08d0680a95

Women and the World International Film Festival:

https://www.iffww.com/

Trailer to Dad’s Lullaby, a documentary about a Ukrainian veteran by Lesia Diak:

https://cineuropa.org/en/video/464790/

Hitler’s DNA proves he really did have only one ball (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2025/11/12/scientists-secrets-adolf-hitler-dna-adhd/

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

Calls for conscription age to be lowered as manpower shortage leaves Ukrainian city ‘on the brink’ & special forces launch 'fire attack' on major Russian petrochemical plant Nov 12, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,358.

As Ukrainian forces struggle against overwhelming Russian manpower in the Zaporizhzhya region, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko calls for the conscription age to be lowered. We bring the latest on a corruption scandal inside Ukraine’s state nuclear power company, and assess the geopolitical significance of Kazakhstan joining the Abraham Accords. Meanwhile, in Russia, Sergey Lavrov appears to have fallen out of favour with the Kremlin once again and officials have cut off internet access around military sites.

Contributors

Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.

Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.

James Kilner (Former Russia Correspondent). @jkjourno on X.

SIGN UP TO THE ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Ukrainian minister implicated in nuclear power corruption scandal suspended (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/minister-implicated-suspended/

Ukraine faces ‘huge problems’ finding soldiers as men flee abroad, says Kyiv mayor (POLITICO):

https://www.politico.eu/article/war-in-ukraine-draft-age-russia-vitali-klitschko

UK’s Jonathan Powell contacted Moscow in bid to build back channel to Vladimir Putin (Financial Times):

https://www.ft.com/content/f06920c2-94f6-49b8-89df-82ace669cf25?shareType=nongift

Trump Admin Pushes to Weaken Ukraine Resolution on Russian Occupation at UN, Sources Tell Kyiv Post (Kyiv Post):

https://www.kyivpost.com/post/63999

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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

Motorcyclists slip into frontline Pokrovsk under cover of fog Nov 11, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,357.

Today, the battle for Pokrovsk continues to rage on with 300 Russian soldiers now in the city, pressing forward to the north. We discuss the corruption probe in Ukraine targeting one of Zelensky’s close allies and how it led to the president’s debacle over the summer when he tried to curtail Ukraine’s two anti-corruption agencies. Finally, we zoom in on Lavrov’s disappearance from the public eye in the last couple of weeks and on the patterns of drone incursions across Europe these past two months. Note: an earlier version of this episode stated that a probe was looking into Ukraine's Chief Anti-Corruption Prosecutor. It is instead investigating his deputy, Andryi Synyuk.

Contributors

Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist and Producer). @adeliepjz on X

Memphis Barker (Senior Foreign Correspondent). @memphisbarker on X

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

Joe Barnes (Brussels Correspondent). @Barnes_Joe on X

SIGN UP TO THE ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter

CONTENT REFERENCED:

‘We are losing Pokrovsk’: Russia nears biggest gain since 2023, The Telegraph

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/11/11/pokrovsk-ukraine-russia-gain-volodymyr-zelensky-gen-syrskyi/

Who is Timur Mindich, Zelensky's secretive associate at the center of a major corruption probe?, Kyiv Independent

https://kyivindependent.com/who-is-timur-mindich/?mc_cid=721276d3ca&mc_eid=4a5b852913

Where’s Sergei Lavrov? Rumours swirl over the fate of Putin’s foreign affairs enforcer, The Telegraph

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/11/10/the-rumours-swirling-over-the-fate-of-sergei-lavrov/

Mapped: Russia’s new drone war against Europe, The Telegraph

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/11/11/mapped-russia-new-drone-war-against-europe/

Poppies and cornflowers became symbols of November 11 thanks to women forgotten by history, Le Monde

https://www.lemonde.fr/en/m-le-mag/article/2025/11/11/poppies-and-cornflowers-became-symbols-of-november-11-thanks-to-women-forgotten-by-history_6747339_117.html

The Poppy Lady, The Story of Madame Anna Guérin and the Remembrance Poppy

https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-Poppy-Lady-Hardback/p/21829

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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

Energy war forces blackouts in Russia and Ukraine amid Putin’s manpower crisis Nov 10, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,356

Today, after weekend strikes on energy facilities in both countries left blackouts in Russia and Ukraine, we report how Moscow now seems to be deliberately targeting Ukrainian nuclear plants well away from the front line, how Britain is sending military personnel to defend Belgian skies, and later we have an interview with Dr Jack Watling, Senior Research Fellow for Land Warfare at the Royal United Services Institute, in which he describes Ukraine’s adaptation of battlefield tactics.

Contributors

Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.

Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.

With thanks to Dr Jack Watling, Senior Research Fellow for Land Warfare at the Royal United Services Institute. @Jack_Watling on X.

SIGN UP TO THE ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Dr Jack Watling's New RUSI Report - 'Emergent Approaches to Combined Arms Manoeuvre in Ukraine':

https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/insights-papers/emergent-approaches-combined-arms-manoeuvre-ukraine

Pokrovsk: Where Putin Shattered His Teeth

https://cepa.org/article/pokrovsk-where-putin-shattered-his-teeth/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST IN NEW LANGUAGES:

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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

Moscow slams Ukraine with new glide bombs as Lavrov's future in doubt Nov 07, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,353.

Today, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban visits President Trump in Washington, a few weeks after the collapse of the Budapest meeting with Russia. Meanwhile, we look at reports claiming that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov may have fallen out of favour with President Putin, and the UN Commission of Inquiry accuses Russia of committing crimes against humanity and torture. Finally, our regular contributor Jade McGlynn shares the latest

Contributors

Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist and Producer). @adeliepjzon X.

Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.

Dr. Jade McGlynn (War Studies Department of King's College). @DrJadeMcGlynn on X.

SIGN UP TO THE ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter

CONTENT REFERENCED:

United Nations Human Rights Council: Independent International Commission of Inquiry report

https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2025/11/commission-visits-kyiv-reiterating-its-findings?sub-site=HRC

Orbán to visit US to try to broker another Putin summit but questions raised over motives

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/nov/07/orban-hungary-white-house-visit-trump

What’s the truth about South Africa’s ‘genocide’ of white farmers?

https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/whats-the-truth-about-south-africas-genocide-of-white-farmers/

Fact-checking Trump’s claims of white farmer ‘genocide’ in South Africa

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/fact-checking-trumps-claims-of-white-farmer-genocide-in-south-africa

South Africa crime statistics debunk 'white genocide' claims - minister

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgr5xe7z0y0o

Is there a genocide of white South Africans as Trump claims?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9wg5pg1xp5o

Killing of White Farmer Becomes a Flash Point in South Africa

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/16/world/africa/South-Africa-murder-protests.html

‘Kill the Boer’ Song Fuels Backlash in South Africa and U.S.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/02/world/africa/south-africa-kill-boer-song.html

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

Ukraine blitzes Shahed drone factory as Russia sends disabled soldiers to die Nov 06, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,352.

Today, as more and more Russian forces flow into Pokrovsk, Ukrainian soldiers manage to fly a Ukraine flag on the city council’s building. Ukraine also scrambles to put together a new budget for next year, while Zelensky faces harsh criticism after the announcement of relief packages ahead of winter. We hear reports of how Russia is sending disabled men to fight and wonder if the cannon fodder strategy is reaching an end.

Contributors

Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist and Producer). @adeliepjz on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.

Verity Bowman (Journalist). @VerityBowman on X.

With thanks to Albina Kovalyova, @agent_Alka on X.

SIGN UP TO THE ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Kharkiv War Diaries: Stories from a City on the Edge

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlrrWx3hBek

Kharkiv: Love in a War Zone

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3ct82ky