Ukraine: The Latest

Latest Episodes:

Trump sanctions ‘an act of war’, says Moscow, as US lifts restrictions on long-range European missiles Oct 23, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,338.

Today, as Donald Trump unveils sweeping new sanctions on Russia’s energy giants, we analyse what recent developments reveal about the shifting power dynamics between Moscow and Washington. We also investigate an alleged Russian war crime in Donetsk and what it exposes about the brutal nature of the fighting there, before exploring why NATO nations continue to pour vast resources into tank production and modernisation.

Contributors:

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

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

Memphis Barker (Senior Foreign Correspondent). @memphisbarker 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

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:

Trump’s sanctions put him on a warpath with Russia, says Medvedev (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2025/10/22/trump-russia-oil-sanctions-putin/

Bodies strewn across Pokrovsk reveal horror of Russian war crimes (Memphis Barker in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/22/bodies-strewn-pokrovsk-horror-russian-war-crimes-ukraine/

The man with the worst job in Ukraine (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/23/man-with-worst-job-in-ukraine/

Russian commander ordered troops to shoot Ukrainian civilians near Pokrovsk, radio intercept suggests (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/russian-commander-ordered-troops-to-kill-civilians-in-pokrovsk-hur-intercepted-call-says/

U.S. Lifts Key Restriction on Ukraine’s Use of European Long-Range Missiles (Wall Street Journal):

https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/u-s-lifts-key-restriction-on-ukraines-use-of-western-long-range-missiles-5a15c12d?mod=author_content_page_1_pos_1

How tanks are evolving in Ukraine (New York Times):

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/09/08/world/europe/ukraine-russia-war-drones-tanks-military.html

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Children rescued from kindergarten hit by drone & Putin defies Trump to wreck Budapest peace talks Oct 22, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,337.

Today, after Vladimir Putin defied Donald Trump to wreck the proposed Budapest peace talks, we report how overnight attacks ended with children having to be evacuated from a burning kindergarten in Kharkiv after it was hit in a Russian drone strike. Plus, British-supplied Storm Shadow cruise missiles hit their targets in Russia and, later, we hear about how for civilians in Ukraine, learning the specific sound of drones can be a matter of life or death… and how their buzzing can stay with survivors a long time after the attack.

Please note, this episode features real sounds of drones from the frontline.

Contributors:

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

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

Kieran Kelly (Foreign Reporter).

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

http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Putin defies Trump to wreck Ukraine peace talks (Connor Stringer and Joe Barnes in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2025/10/21/trump-no-longer-plans-meet-putin-hungary

Ukraine strikes Russia with British Storm Shadow missiles (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/22/british-storm-shadow-missiles-strike-russia-chemical-plant/

Germany wants to use Iceland as a logistics base for the Navy (Hartpunkt):

https://www.hartpunkt.de/pistorius-sieht-island-als-logistik-basis-fuer-die-marine/

Europe and Ukraine Prepare 12-Point Proposal to End Russia’s War, Bloomberg

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-10-21/europe-and-ukraine-prepare-12-point-proposal-to-end-russia-s-war

Russia’s Lvova-Belova Admits to Kidnapping Ukrainian Orphan to Russia Despite His Resistance

https://united24media.com/latest-news/russias-lvova-belova-admits-to-kidnapping-ukrainian-orphan-to-russia-despite-his-resistance-12679

The War of Sound, The Telegraph

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/The-War-of-Sound/

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Trapped Russian troops 'blown apart' fleeing by boat & Trump's summit with Putin in Hungary threatened as Europe pulls rank Oct 21, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,336.

Today, amid growing signs the planned Trump-Putin summit in Hungary is already in jeopardy, we assess a breakthrough in Europe that could see finally frozen Russian state assets loaned to Ukraine. Then we uncover disturbing accounts revealing the dire state of Russia’s armed forces, and bring you the latest stories from Moscow as the economy continues to display signs of fracture.

Contributors:

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

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

Verity Bowman (Reporter). @VerityBowman on X.

James Kilner (Former Telegraph Russia Correspondant). @jkjourno on X.

MORE TICKETS JUST RELEASED FOR 'UKRAINE: THE LATEST' LIVE, IN-PERSON:

Join us for an in-person discussion and Q&A at the distinguished Honourable Artillery Company in London on 22nd October starting at 7pm.

Our panel includes General Sir Richard Barrons, former head of UK Joint Forces Command and latterly one of the authors of Britain’s Strategic Defence Review, and Orysia Lutsevych, head of the Ukraine Forum at the Chatham House think tank. Tickets are open to everybody and can be purchased at: https://www.squadup.com/events/ukrainelive

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Putin ‘should only be allowed to travel to Hungary if he agrees to a ceasefire’ (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/20/putin-travel-hungary-if-he-agrees-ceasefire-russia-ukraine/

How Putin could reach Hungary peace summit without being shot down or arrested (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/17/putin-route-to-budapest-summit/

Trapped on the Dnipro, Putin’s troops tried to flee by boat — and were blown apart (Verity Bowman in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/21/russia-putin-dnipro-river-troops-boat-ukraine/

Russian troops handcuffed to trees and left for dead after defying orders (Verity Bowman in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/17/russian-troops-handcuffed-left-for-dead-refusing-orders/

Putin sends squads of sick soldiers into Pokrovsk ‘meat grinder’ (Verity Bowman in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/terror-and-security/putin-sends-squads-of-sick-soldiers-into-pokrovsk-meat-grin/

EU closes in on deal to use Russian frozen assets to fund Ukraine (POLITICO):

https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-deal-russian-frozen-assets-ukraine-loan-belgium/

US is stalling on G7 plan over Russian assets (Bloomberg):

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-10-20/us-is-stalling-on-g-7-plan-to-expand-use-of-russian-assets

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Trump tells Ukraine: Accept Putin’s demands ‘or be destroyed’ Oct 20, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,335.

Today, as the world digests the outcome of the White House meeting between Presidents Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky, we examine why the lack of progress on Tomahawk missiles caught many observers off guard. We also explore the significance – if any – of Trump’s planned talks with Vladimir Putin in Budapest, widely seen as part of the Kremlin’s strategy to stall for time. Plus, we report on another slow weekend at the front, continued Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil and gas facilities, and hear from a leading professor on what it would take to achieve a genuine breakthrough in peace negotiations.

Contributors:

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

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

With thanks to Professor Robert Person (Non-Resident Senior Fellow in the Foreign Policy Research Institute's Eurasia Program). @RTPerson3 on X.

MORE TICKETS JUST RELEASED FOR 'UKRAINE: THE LATEST' LIVE, IN-PERSON:

Join us for an in-person discussion and Q&A at the distinguished Honourable Artillery Company in London on 22nd October starting at 7pm.

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Zelensky offers Trump drones for Tomahawks (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2025/10/17/zelenksy-meets-trump-white-house-live-updates/

Trump envoy pushes Ukraine to surrender Donetsk to Russia (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/19/trump-envoy-pushes-ukraine-donetsk-russia-war-peace-witkoff/

Pete Hegseth’s tie causes diplomatic spat (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2025/10/19/pete-hegseth-tie-causes-diplomatic-spat/

Trump tells Ukraine: Accept Putin’s demands ‘or be destroyed’ (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/19/trump-tells-ukraine-accept-putin-demands-or-be-destroyed/

Ukraine’s most prestigious military units are run like businesses: (The Economist): https://www.economist.com/europe/2025/10/14/ukraines-most-prestigious-military-units-are-run-like-businesses?utm_campaign=shared_article

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Trump to meet Putin in Budapest in ‘huge blow’ to Europe & North Korean troops direct Russian strikes into Ukraine Oct 17, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,332.

Today, as President Zelensky meets Donald Trump at the White House, we unpack Vladimir Putin’s emergency – if predictable – intervention: an unscheduled call with the US President that may have derailed Kyiv’s hopes of securing Tomahawk missiles. Then, in a special cultural dispatch, we dive into the world of Ukrainian classical music.

Contributors:

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

With thanks to Hobart Earle, Music Director and Principal Conductor of the Odesa Philharmonic Orchestra.

MORE TICKETS JUST RELEASED FOR 'UKRAINE: THE LATEST' LIVE, IN-PERSON:

Join us for an in-person discussion and Q&A at the distinguished Honourable Artillery Company in London on 22nd October starting at 7pm.

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

http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Francis’s Odesa Documentary featuring Hobart Earle:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28HqbQLYGMM

‘Animals in war’ winners, suggested by listeners:

https://x.com/FrancisDearnley/status/1978856072648499329

Trump to meet Putin in Hungary (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2025/10/16/trump-holds-phone-call-putin-tomahawks/

Trump meeting Putin in Budapest is blow to Europe (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/16/trump-meeting-putin-budapest-blow-europe-hungary-orban/

North Korean troops helping to direct Russian strikes into Ukraine (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/russia-now-using-north-korean-troops-to-attack-inside-of-ukraine-general-staff/?mc_cid=ccbf455194&mc_eid=08d0680a95

How Vladimir Putin’s history rant in Alaska nudged Donald Trump closer to Ukraine (Financial Times):

https://www.ft.com/content/7af3b49e-c4da-405b-8199-3e12957b78c2

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Crowds in St Petersburg sing about overthrowing Putin Oct 16, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,331.

Today, as President Zelensky heads to Washington for another high-stakes meeting with Donald Trump, we break down the latest from the frontlines as NATO vows to ramp up its military support for Ukraine. We also examine a rare protest in St Petersburg calling for Vladimir Putin’s death, explore how recent drone incursions are reshaping German attitudes toward the war, and ask why Syria’s president – once a sworn enemy of the Kremlin – has now met the Russian President in Moscow.

Contributors:

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

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

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

MORE TICKETS JUST RELEASED FOR 'UKRAINE: THE LATEST' LIVE, IN-PERSON:

Join us for an in-person discussion and Q&A at the distinguished Honourable Artillery Company in London on 22nd October starting at 7pm.

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

http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Crowds in St Petersburg sing about overthrowing Putin (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/15/crowds-sing-banned-song-overthrowing-putin-st-petersburg/

Trump plans victory fund for Ukraine (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2025/10/15/trump-plans-victory-fund-for-ukraine/

Ukraine Is Starving Russia of Oil (Michael Bohnert in The Wall Street Journal):

https://www.wsj.com/opinion/ukraine-is-starving-russia-of-oil-de6ca866

Russia Isn’t Done With Syria (Hanna Notte in Foreign Affairs):

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/russia/russia-isnt-done-syria

Antoni Lallican, photojournalist killed in Ukraine, was 'insatiably curious and truly interested in others' (Le Monde):

https://www.lemonde.fr/en/obituaries/article/2025/10/07/antoni-lallican-a-french-photojournalist-killed-in-ukraine-was-insatiably-curious-and-truly-interested-in-others_6746169_15.html

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Drug gangs hone drone skills in Ukraine's foreign legion as US warns Russia of “consequences” on eve of latest weapons meeting Oct 15, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,330.

Today, as NATO defence ministers meet in Brussels with the US representative to NATO warning Russia of “consequences” if the Kremlin doesn’t move towards a peace agreement, we report how Mexican and Colombian drug cartels have infiltrated the Ukrainian military to learn how to fly kamikaze drones. Plus we take a deep dive into the current political crisis in France and examine what impact it could have on the war.

Contributors:

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

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

Special thanks to our guest Colin Freeman. @colinfreeman99 on X.

MORE TICKETS JUST RELEASED FOR 'UKRAINE: THE LATEST' LIVE, IN-PERSON:

Join us for an in-person discussion and Q&A at the distinguished Honourable Artillery Company in London on 22nd October starting at 7pm.

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

http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter

CONTENT REFERENCED:

UDCG Livestream Press conference Livestream info on NATO website: https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/events_67375.htm

Mexican and Colombian drug cartels infiltrate Ukrainian military

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/14/drug-cartels-learn-modern-warfare-ukrainian-front-lines/

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Trump: 'Now let’s end the Ukraine war' after Gaza triumph & UN convoy attacked by Russian forces in Ukraine Oct 14, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,329.

Today, as Donald Trump vows to harness the momentum of the Gaza ceasefire to bring peace to Ukraine, we examine global reaction – or the striking silence – after a UN convoy was attacked by Russian forces. Then we assess reports of a possible chemical weapons attack in Donetsk and take a deep dive into stories emerging from inside Russia – revealing the cracks in its economy and the growing strains within its society.

Contributors:

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

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

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

James Kilner (Former Telegraph Russia Correspondant). @jkjourno on X.

MORE TICKETS JUST RELEASED FOR 'UKRAINE: THE LATEST' LIVE, IN-PERSON:

Join us for an in-person discussion and Q&A at the distinguished Honourable Artillery Company in London on 22nd October starting at 7pm.

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

http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Trump: Now let’s end the Ukraine war (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2025/10/13/trump-threatens-putin-sending-tomahawks/

Frontline report: Ukraine’s kill zone takes shape in Sumy Oblast—Russians trapped in Yunakivka say hope is gone (Euromaidan):

https://euromaidanpress.com/2025/10/12/frontline-report-ukraines-kill-zone-takes-shape-in-sumy-oblast-russians-trapped-in-yunakivka-say-hope-is-gone/

UN CONVOY CAME UNDER ATTACK WHILE DELIVERING AID TO A FRONT-LINE COMMUNITY IN THE KHERSON REGION (United Nations):

https://ukraine.un.org/en/303211-un-convoy-came-under-attack-while-delivering-aid-front-line-community-kherson-region

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'5 tanks hit' in gigantic blaze at Russia's largest oil terminal in Crimea & US intel 'guided' Ukraine’s strikes on energy sites Oct 13, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,328.

Today, as we learn the Donald Trump administration has been sharing intelligence enabling Kyiv to strike at Russian energy facilities, we reflect on the likelihood that Tomahawk missiles are incoming, and the fallout from the US President not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. Then we hear live from the country of Georgia, where protests continue and tensions remain high, before Francis ends with an appeal on a neglected subject: animals in war.

Contributors:

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

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

Marika Mikia-shvili (Foreign affairs, Droa Party - Georgia). @Mikiashvili_M on X.

MORE TICKETS JUST RELEASED FOR 'UKRAINE: THE LATEST' LIVE, IN-PERSON:

Join us for an in-person discussion and Q&A at the distinguished Honourable Artillery Company in London on 22nd October starting at 7pm.

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

http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Learn more about the Dickin Medal - the animals’ Victoria Cross:

https://www.pdsa.org.uk/what-we-do/animal-awards-programme/pdsa-dickin-medal

Trump gave specific intelligence to Ukraine for strikes on Russian energy (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/12/trump-shares-intelligence-ukraine-strike-russian-energy/

Putin: Trump’s too good for the Nobel Peace Prize (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/10/donald-trump-loses-out-on-nobel-peace-prize-2025/

Melania Trump: I convinced Putin to send Ukrainian children home (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2025/10/10/melania-trump-putin-children-families/

Senate Passes Bipartisan $925 Billion Defense Policy Bill (New York Times):

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/09/us/senate-passes-bipartisan-925-billion-defense-policy-bill.html

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‘Massive’ Russian attack knocks out Kyiv energy grid & what Gaza ceasefire means for Ukraine Oct 10, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,325.

Today, after another wave of intense Russian bombardments, we explore what the Gaza ceasefire could mean for the war. Will it bring renewed international attention, or further distraction? Plus, we deliver our latest fortnightly update on resistance inside the occupied territories, and ask: how strong is America’s commitment to Europe’s defense now, with insights from one of the U.S. Army’s former top generals.

Contributors:

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

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

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

With thanks to Lieutenant General (Retired) Ben Hodges (former commanding general of United States Army Europe). @general_ben on X.

BOOK NOW: 'UKRAINE: THE LATEST' LIVE, IN-PERSON:

Join us for an in-person discussion and Q&A at the distinguished Honourable Artillery Company in London on 22nd October at 7pm.

https://www.squadup.com/events/ukrainelive

They are going fast, so don't delay!

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

http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Clip of Francis and Dom on Russian TV:

https://x.com/FrancisDearnley/status/1976267739284279375?t=ew1_r1Jv5Pkwig8urg48ow&s=03

Putin is losing the war, so prepare for escalation (Ambrose Evans-Pritchard in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/10/10/putin-is-losing-the-war-so-prepare-for-escalation/

China unveils sweeping rare-earth export controls to protect ‘national security’ (Financial Times):

https://www.ft.com/content/c4b2c5d9-c82f-401e-b763-bc9581019cb7?sharetype=blocked

Russia's industrial titans furlough workers as its war economy stalls (Reuters):

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russias-industrial-titans-furlough-workers-its-war-economy-stalls-2025-10-09/

Ukrainian Icon Finds Safe Haven In Aldershot (UK Army):

https://shorturl.at/bsIFs

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