Ukraine: The Latest

Latest Episodes:

'Putin is testing us' says Healey & NATO determines drone incursion 'not an attack' on Poland Sep 11, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,296.

Today, we continue to unpack NATO’s response to the incursion of 19 Russian drones into Polish airspace. We hear the latest news from the resistance in the Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia, and we zoom in on the water crisis in Donetsk.

Contributors:

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

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

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

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

Content Referenced:

Russian drones were ‘targeting Nato base in Poland’’, The Telegraph

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/09/11/russian-drones-targeting-nato-base-in-poland/

Is Nato sliding towards war with Russia?, The Telegraph

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/09/10/nato-sliding-towards-war-with-russia/

Print Army:

https://drukarmy.org.ua/en

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/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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

NATO engages Russia for first time after drone attack on Poland Sep 10, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,295.

Today, in a historic moment for Europe, NATO fighter jets shoot down Russian drones over Poland in the first ever direct engagement between the Western alliance and Moscow. We assess the global reaction and what it means, before asking how Vladimir Putin is manipulating the information space to conceal his crimes and shape opinion.

Contributors:

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

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

Peter Pomerantsev (Chief Editor and Co-founder of The Reckoning Project) @peterpomeranzev on X.

Scott Martin (International Lawyer at Global Rights Compliance)

Content Referenced:

Nato engages Russia for first time (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/09/10/nato-russia-drones-shot-down-poland-fighter-jets/

Telegraph Ukraine Live Blog on Poland Crisis:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/09/10/ukraine-russia-war-latest-news-drones-poland-nato/

Manufacturing Impunity: Russian Information Operations in Ukraine — Russia’s Use of Information Alibis and How They Materially Contribute to the Planning, Execution and Cover-up of International Crimes (Global Rights Compliance, in collaboration with the leading advocacy organisation The Reckoning Project):

https://globalrightscompliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Manufacturing-Impunity.pdf

‘NATO States Have Failed’ (Phillips O’Brien Substack):

https://phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/nato-states-have-failed

For the first time in 10 years, Ukraine and Poland exhumed and reburied the victims of the Volyn tragedy (Babel):

https://babel.ua/en/texts/121230-for-the-first-time-in-10-years-ukraine-and-poland-exhumed-and-reburied-the-victims-of-the-volyn-tragedy-the-archaeologist-and-historian-says-this-is-a-breakthrough-in-the-relations-between-the-countri

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

https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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

Explosions put 3 Russian pipelines 'out of action' & headless corpse of Russian CEO discovered Sep 09, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,294.

Today, as Ukraine strikes yet more oil and gas facilities deep inside Russia, we hear how Donald Trump has deported dozens of political refugees fleeing Vladimir Putin back to the country. Then we report how Putin’s present for General Gerasimov’s 70th birthday was a nice medal and an extension of his military service, plus we report on Monday’s defence forum in London where Dom interviewed Boris Johnson, who said the Coalition of the Willing should be deployed to Ukraine now.

Contributors:

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

James Kilner (Foreign Correspondent). @jkjourno on X.

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

With thanks to War Child Chief Executive Helen Pattinson, and Labour MP Johanna Baxter.

Content Referenced:

War Child Report:

https://www.warchild.org.uk/our-work/policies-and-reports/return-every-child

KHARPP (Ukraine) fundraiser in memory of David Knowles, creator of ‘Ukraine: The Latest’:

https://donorbox.org/kharpp-fundraiser-in-memory-of-david-knowles

British Heart Foundation fundraiser in memory of David Knowles, creator of ‘Ukraine: The Latest’:

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/bhfteamdavidknowles

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

https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/

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. 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 launches largest air attack of the war & remembering David Knowles Sep 08, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,293.

Today, as Ukraine suffers the largest air attack of the war, killing four and setting dozens of buildings on fire in Kyiv, including the main seat of government, we assess the response from world leaders. Then, in a special segment to mark the one year anniversary of his passing, we hear new interviews recorded by Ukraine: The Latest’s creator, David Knowles, and discuss two fundraisers launched in his memory.

Contributors:

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

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

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

With special thanks - as ever - to David Knowles (creator of 'Ukraine: The Latest').

Charities Referenced:

KHARPP (Ukraine) fundraiser in memory of David Knowles, creator of ‘Ukraine: The Latest’:

https://donorbox.org/kharpp-fundraiser-in-memory-of-david-knowles

British Heart Foundation fundraiser in memory of David Knowles, creator of ‘Ukraine: The Latest’:

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/bhfteamdavidknowles

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

https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/

NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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

Huge explosion at ‘vital’ Russia oil refinery & how China secretly arms Russia with drones Sep 05, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,290.

Today, after another important Coalition of the Willing summit in Paris, we discuss Vladimir Putin’s warning that any Western peacekeeping forces deployed to Ukraine would be considered a “legitimate” target. Then, we dive into an investigation on how China is providing drones parts to Russia and effectively sustaining its ability to continue waging its war against Ukraine. Finally, Dom dials in on his last day in Prague attending the International Institute for Strategic Studies Defence Summit.

Contributors:

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

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

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

Sophia Yan (Senior Foreign Correspondent). @Sophia_Yan on X.

Content Referenced:

How China is secretly arming Russia, (Sophia Yan in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/09/03/how-china-is-secretly-arming-russia/

Putin: British troops in Ukraine ‘legitimate’ target for Russia (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/09/05/putin-western-troops-in-ukraine-legitimate-target-russia/

‘Battle Lines: Inside the rise of China’s military - and what it means for Taiwan’:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/08/08/battle-lines-podcast-inside-the-rise-of-chinas-military/

IISS Prague Defence Summit:

https://www.iiss.org/events/prague-defence-summit/prague-defence-summit-2025/

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

https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/

NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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

Ukraine destroys Russian speedboat as it tries to land troops & hot mic picks up Putin and Xi discussing immortality Sep 04, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,289.

Today, as the Coalition of the Willing meets to discuss security guarantees in Paris, we hear live from Prague minutes after the speech of NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Then – after the military updates – we assess in greater detail the attendance of other world leaders alongside Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping in Beijing: who were they, and what do their motives tell us about the new ‘axis of upheaval?’

Contributors:

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

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

James Kilner (Foreign Correspondent). @jkjourno on X.

Content Referenced:

Britain sanctions mother of Chechen warlord for stealing children (Adelie in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/09/03/uk-sanctions-mother-chechen-warlord-stealing-children-kyiv/

There is a question no one dares ask about Vladimir Putin (Francis in The Telegraph in 2024):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/12/24/there-is-a-question-no-one-dares-ask-about-vladimir-putin/

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

https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/

NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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

Russia and North Korea fighting ‘Nazism’ in Ukraine, says Putin in first meeting with Kim Jong-un & exclusive interview with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy Sep 03, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,288.

Today, as China unveils new weapons at the huge military parade in Beijing attended by Russia’s Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong-un, we assess just how significant the gathering is, and whether it has put the West ‘on notice’. Then we sit down for an exclusive interview with the British Foreign Secretary as the UK announces sanctions against those forcibly deporting, indoctrinating and militarising Ukrainian children.

Contributors:

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

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

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

With thanks to The Rt Hon David Lammy MP (Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs). @davidlammy on X.

Content Referenced:

UK sanctions actors forcibly deporting, indoctrinating and militarising Ukrainian children (UK Government):

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-sanctions-actors-forcibly-deporting-indoctrinating-and-militarising-ukrainian-children

Russian defence ministry displays Ukraine map claiming more regions (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/09/02/russian-defence-ministry-displays-map-claiming-ukrainie/

Kim tells Putin: I’ll do everything I can to help (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/09/03/china-military-parade-latest-news/

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

https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/

NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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

Ukrainian troops destroy ‘all Russian positions’ to liberate town & EU chief's plane 'forced to land blind after Moscow jams GPS’ Sep 02, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,287.

Today, as a Nato leader meets with Vladimir Putin while Ukraine is subjected to the latest wave of Russian drone strikes, we look at the ongoing Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in China that is attempting to rewrite the global security order. Plus, we examine quite what happened to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s plane, after suspected Russian interference, and hear the latest in the cyber war.

Contributors:

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

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

Gareth Corfield (Transport Correspondent). @GazTheJourno on X.

Content Referenced:

Ursula von der Leyen’s plane forced to land blind after ‘Russia jams GPS’ (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/09/01/ursula-von-der-leyen-plane-forced-land-blind-russia/

Costa breaks ranks on EU-US trade deal, fires warning shot at Trump (POLITICO):

https://www.politico.eu/article/antonio-costa-eu-us-trade-deal-warning-shots-donald-trump/

Germany and France plan early warning system JEWEL (Hartpunkt):

https://www.hartpunkt.de/raketenabwehr-berlin-und-paris-planen-fruehwarnsystem/

Andrew Fox Substack on PTSD:

https://mrandrewfox.substack.com/p/ptsd?r=z0uop&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&triedRedirect=true

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

https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/

NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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

Trump in talks to deploy private army to Ukraine & exclusive interview with Phillips O'Brien Sep 01, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,286.

Today, we offer the most comprehensive version yet of the peace plan taking shape behind closed doors, as the Europeans ask Donald Trump to deploy a private army of military firms to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire. Plus we report on the significance of the meeting between Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, and Narendra Modi. Later, with Professor Phillips O'Brien, we discuss the gravest strategic miscalculations made by both sides in the war.

Contributors:

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

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

With thanks to Professor Phillips O'Brien (professor of Strategic Studies at University of St Andrews). @phillipspobrien on X.

Content Referenced:

Phillips O'Brien’s Book, ‘War and Power: Who Wins Wars ― and Why’:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/War-Power-Who-Wins-Wars/dp/0241744032

Trump in talks to deploy private army to Ukraine (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/08/30/trump-talks-deploy-private-army-ukraine/

White House ‘thinks Europe is undermining Ukraine peace efforts’ (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2025/08/30/white-house-thinks-europe-undermining-ukraine-peace-effort/

Xi welcomes Putin to secretive summit for ‘axis of upheaval’ (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/08/31/xi-welcomes-putin-secretive-summit/

Ukrainian politician shot dead ‘by man disguised as courier’ (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/08/30/ukrainian-politician-shot-dead-man-disguised-courier/

The deadliest year yet: Russia has lost more than 200,000 soldiers in its war against Ukraine

(Meduza/Mediazona):

https://meduza.io/en/feature/2025/08/29/the-deadliest-year-yet?utm_source=email&utm_medium=briefly&utm_campaign=2025-08-29&mc_cid=d8640930a3&mc_eid=f485e69e69

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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

Zelensky urges ceasefire as UN Security Council convenes after Russian attack on Kyiv Aug 29, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,283.

Today, we continue reporting on the attack on Kyiv, which Zelensky called “a strike by Russia against President Trump”, and we hear about the work the State Emergency Services have been doing on the ground. We also discuss how Russia may be flying surveillance drones over Germany, gathering intelligence for potential sabotage campaigns, and how India’s imports of Russian oil may increase in September despite US sanctions. Later, we hear about the food industry in Ukraine and its role in the war.

Contributors:

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

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

With thanks to Ed Matthews (Fire Aid and Brave Minds) and author Felicity Spector.

Content Referenced:

International Institute for Strategic Studies paper: The Scale of Russian Sabotage Operations Against Europe’s Critical Infrastructure

https://www.iiss.org/research-paper/2025/08/the-scale-of-russian--sabotage-operations--against-europes-critical--infrastructure/

Latika’s fundraiser for Ukrainian Action

https://www.justgiving.com/page/latikambourke-ukrainian-action?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL

Stick your sanctions where the sun doesn’t shine, Ukraine drone chief tells Hungary

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/08/28/ukraine-drone-chief-hungary-sanctions-russia-ol-pipeline/

Deadlines, delusions, and ballistic missiles: Trump's theater of peace talks with Putin