Ukraine: The Latest

Latest Episodes:

‘One of the most vital days since the Soviet Union collapsed’: Russia kills civilians as Trump rules out Ukraine reclaiming Crimea or joining NATO ahead of Zelensky White House talks Aug 18, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,272.

Today, after the Trump and Putin summit in the United States ends without accord – but with certain principles for peace seemingly agreed between them – we look ahead to the vital meeting between Zelensky, Trump, and European leaders in the White House, and consider why the proposal for Ukraine to cede Donbas would leave Ukraine strategically exposed.

We will be releasing a bonus episode immediately after the summit.

Contributors:

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

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

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

Content Referenced:

In maps: Why the entire peace deal hangs on this small strip of Ukraine (Roland Oliphant in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/08/18/maps-why-entire-peace-deal-hangs-on-small-strip-ukraine/

Russia taunts Ukraine by flying US flag on front line:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/08/18/russia-taunts-ukraine-american-flag-front-line/

Telegraph Ukraine Live Blog:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/08/18/ukraine-russia-war-trump-zelensky-meeting-latest-news/

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.

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.

BONUS: Putin and Trump fail to reach Ukraine peace deal Aug 16, 2025

Show notes

In a special episode recorded just minutes after the summit in Alaska between Presidents Putin and Trump, we discuss what it was like in the room, and the ramifications of a meeting which leaves more questions than answers. What happens next?

Contributors:

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

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

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

Putin ‘to test nuclear missiles’ ahead of Trump Alaska summit Aug 15, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,269.

Today, as the world awaits what some say could be the most consequential summit for Europe since the end of the Second World War, we hear the latest updates live from Alaska, from journalists, experts, and protestors gathering there. Plus, we assess the fast-moving situation on the battlefield, and provide our regular update on the occupied territories.

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 Ostap Yarysh, Media Advisor at Razom for Ukraine. @OstapYarysh on X.

Content Referenced:

Dom’s Video: Hundreds of anti-Trump protesters flood Anchorage (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2025/08/15/hundreds-of-anti-trump-protesters-flood-anchorage/

Lavrov goads Ukraine with Soviet jumper on Alaska arrival (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2025/08/15/trump-meet-putin-ukraine-summit-latest-news/

Putin prepares nuclear missile tests in veiled threat to West (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/08/15/putin-prepares-nuclear-missile-tests-ukraine-peace-talks/

The enduring allure of the summit (Sergey Radchenko in Engelsberg Ideas):

https://engelsbergideas.com/essays/the-enduring-allure-of-the-summit/

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 proposes West Bank-style occupation of Ukraine & offers Putin minerals for peace Aug 14, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,268.

Today, as reports suggest Russian advances near Pokrovsk have “stalled”, we hear the contrasting European and American positions as we approach the summit in Alaska, including suggestions of a new minerals deal for Russia and a ‘West Bank-style occupation of parts of Ukraine’. Then you’ll hear Dom’s dispatch from Odesa, where he joined an anti-aircraft unit shooting down Russian drones.

Contributors:

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

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

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

Connor Stringer (Acting Deputy US Editor). @connor_stringer on X.

Content Referenced:

[DOM’S VIDEO] I joined a Ukrainian unit shooting down Russian drones:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkkdWu7Xt7o

Trump to offer Putin minerals for peace (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2025/08/13/trump-to-present-minerals-deal-to-putin-in-alaska/

Trump and Putin to hold press conference after Alaska talks (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/08/14/ukraine-russia-war-latest-news-zelenky-starmer-meeting/

Zelensky faces his ‘moment of maximum pressure’ (Financial Times):

https://shorturl.at/MZ1Yv

US and Russia ‘propose West Bank-style occupation of Ukraine’ (The Times):

https://www.thetimes.com/us/american-politics/article/us-russia-deal-west-bank-occupation-ukraine-wfvnt6v6f?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1755093882

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.

Russian units hunted deep within Ukraine & Europe hosts ‘critical call’ with Trump Aug 13, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,267.

Today, as reports flood in of Russian units being hunted deep within Ukraine, we reveal more details of the operation, and assess its significance for the Trump-Putin summit on Friday. Then we hear more from Adelie about her reporting trip to Ukraine, and discuss a new report into what Europe can do for its long-term strategic autonomy.

Contributors:

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

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

Mykola Kuzmin (Researcher and Translator).

With thanks to our guest David Kirichenko (@DVKirichenko on X.)

Content Referenced:

‘European Defence Autonomy: Identifying Key Companies and Projects to Replace US Capabilities’ (Report by David Kirichenko & Mykola Kuzmin):

https://henryjacksonsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/HJS-European-Defence-Autonomy-Report-web.pdf

Learn More about Metal detector "TREMBITA":

https://trembita.pro/en/

Telegraph Live Blog of Today’s Talks:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/08/13/ukraine-russia-war-latest-news40/

Shoved into vans, slashing tyres: Ukrainians balk at conscription (Financial Times):

https://www.ft.com/content/9a8e3c7f-2822-4d5e-a65b-9949ffe6631f

Ukraine’s Once Nimble Army Is Mired in Soviet Decision-Making (Wall Street Journal):

https://www.wsj.com/world/ukraine-russia-army-soviet-5fa8e1c9?st=NTzW7V&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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

Exclusive: Ukraine prepared to cede territory held by Russia & 'breach' sparks alarm on eastern front Aug 12, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,266.

Today, as Russian forces surge behind Ukrainian lines in the Donbas, we ask if this is just leverage for the upcoming talks in Alaska, or signs of a fundamental weakness in Ukraine’s defence. We also hear how President Zelensky’s line on ceding territory may be softening and look at how Russian propaganda is interpreting Putin’s upcoming meeting with Trump.

Contributors:

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

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

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

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

Content Referenced:

Battle Lines:

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

Ukraine prepared to cede territory held by Russia (Joe Barnes in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/08/11/ukraine-prepared-freeze-war-current-frontline-summit/

Britain issues warning to Merz and Macron over Ukraine (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/08/12/stop-commenting-trump-putin-ukraine-peace-talks-merz-macron/

Children First: Trump-Putin Summit ‘Disaster’ for Ukraine’s Stolen Kids, Warns Expert (Kyiv Post):

https://www.kyivpost.com/post/57954

Putin silences Russia with sweeping internet blackouts (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/08/07/putin-silences-russia-internet-blackouts/

North Koreans tell BBC they are being sent to work 'like slaves' in Russia (BBC):

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2077gwjlvxo

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.

Trump and Putin to meet in Alaska for Ukraine-Russia 'land swap' Aug 11, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,265.

Today, as the world looks ahead to this week’s Alaska summit between Presidents Trump and Putin, European foreign ministers gather in search of what one former minister calls a “shadow of power.” We also bring you news of another long-range Ukrainian strike on Russian energy infrastructure, explore how Italy could soon become a world leader in the art of political fudge, and share the latest postcard from Adelie in Ukraine.

Contributors:

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

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

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

Content Referenced:

He Was a Key Aide to Putin. Then He Balked at the Ukraine War (New York Times):

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/10/world/europe/putin-russia-ukraine-war-dmitri-kozak.html

Putin Tells U.S. He’ll Halt War in Exchange for Eastern Ukraine (Wall Street Journal):

https://www.wsj.com/world/putin-russia-ukraine-ceasefire-proposal-0021453b

Italy will finally build a bridge to Sicily after 2,000 years (Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/08/06/italy-build-bridge-sicily/

Swiss colonel alleged to have handed information to Russia (Swiss Info):

https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/foreign-affairs/swiss-colonel-alleged-to-have-handed-on-information-to-russia/89802662

NATO eyes launching new bank to bolster defense spending (TVP):

https://tvpworld.com/88246574/nato-eyes-launching-new-bank-to-bolster-defense-spending-video

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.

Russians panic over 'new Operation Spiderweb’ & Trump abandons three-way talks with Putin and Zelensky Aug 08, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,262.

Today, as deadline day begins, we discuss how plans for a trilateral summit of Trump, Zelensky, and Putin are already in jeopardy, and assess how the new tariffs on India are already impacting Russia’s increasingly precarious economy. We also cover reports of a new attack similar to Operation Spiderweb, and we do a deep dive into the history of Ukrainian chess, playing an International Master.

Contributors:

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

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

With thanks to Malcolm Pein (Chess Correspondent). @TelegraphChess on X.

Content Referenced:

Chess in Schools and Communities (CSC)

https://www.chessinschools.co.uk/

Our Black Sea Video Dispatch:

Video -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2YjuuQz414

Audio -

https://shorturl.at/D8ibR

Trump abandons plans for three-way talks with Putin and Zelensky (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/08/07/ukraine-russia-putin-trump-zelensky/

Russia's budget deficit hits $61 billion, surpassing annual target by 30% (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/russias-budget-deficit-hits-61-billion/

Russian football clubs given €10.8m in Uefa ‘solidarity’ funds since Ukraine invasion (The Guardian):

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/08/uefa-paid-russian-football-clubs-solidarity-funds-invasion-ukraine

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 to meet Putin and Zelensky 'next week' & declares Russia 'extraordinary threat to US' Aug 07, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,261.

Today, with 24 hours to go until Donald Trump’s ceasefire deadline passes, we assess reports that he intends to meet Putin within days, and broker a meeting between the Russian President and President Zelensky. Has the Kremlin done enough to avoid those tariffs? Plus, also hear from the Ukrainian border with Belarus, where families are reunited.

Contributors:

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

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

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

Content Referenced:

Telegraph Ukraine Live Blog:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/08/07/ukraine-russia-putin-trump-zelensky/

Trump to meet Putin as early as next week (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2025/08/06/putin-zelensky-meet-ukraine-peace-talks-trump/

Trump declares Russia ‘extraordinary threat to US’ (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/08/06/trump-declares-russia-extraordinary-threat-us-india-tariffs/

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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

Putin 'may stop air attacks' to placate Trump & Mongoose, Ukraine’s new jet-powered, shotgun-carrying interceptor drone Aug 06, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,260.

Today, as Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff meets Vladimir Putin for so-called ceasefire negotiations, President Zelensky releases a video marking a year since Ukrainian troops invaded Russia’s Kursk oblast and Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office opens another investigation into alleged Russian war crimes after a video emerges of a civilian being gunned down in the Donbas. Plus, we explore issues around the use of tourniquets in combat and how their misuse might be causing unnecessary deaths.

Contributors:

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

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

Maeve Cullinan (Global health security reporter). @maeve_cullinan on X.

Content Referenced:

‘Cult’ of tourniquets causing thousands of unnecessary amputations and deaths in Ukraine, say surgeons (Maeve Cullinan in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/terror-and-security/cult-of-tourniquets-causing-unnecessary-amputations-deaths/

Putin considers missile and drone truce as Trump envoy arrives in Moscow (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/08/06/putin-mulls-missile-drone-truce-trump-envoy-moscow/

Exclusive: Putin doubts potency of Trump's ultimatum to end the war, sources say (Reuters):

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/putin-doubts-potency-trumps-ultimatum-end-war-sources-say-2025-08-05/

Trump’s Ukraine peace plan: Make India pay (The Telegraph):