Ukraine: The Latest

Latest Episodes:

Exclusive: Russian elite living in fear as Putin purges take bloody toll & inside the ‘dark destroyer’ drone factory manned by teenagers Jul 22, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,245.

Today, we hear the mood from Kremlin insiders following a series of high profile purges by Putin, discuss a new drone factory showcased in Russian propaganda, and consider drama in the Ukrainian parliament which risks impacting the international perception of the government. Plus, we hear the latest on the mood in the British House of Commons.

Contributors:

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

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

With thanks to our guests Iain Duncan Smith MP (@MPIainDS on X) and Jeff Hartman of Ukrainian Action (@UkrAaction on X).

Content Referenced:

Learn more about Ukrainian Action:

https://www.ukrainianaction.com/

Russian elite living in fear as Putin purges take bloody toll (Memphis Barker in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/22/oligarchs-living-in-fear-as-putin-purges-take-bloody-toll/

Ukrainian drone secrets ‘stolen by snooping Europeans’ (Memphis Barker in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/11/ukrainian-drone-secrets-stolen-by-snooping-europeans/

The tortured Ukrainian veteran turning shrapnel into a war museum (Memphis Barker in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/13/tortured-ukrainian-veteran-shrapnel-war-museum/

Inside Russia’s suicide drone factories manned by teenagers (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/20/russia-suicide-drone-factories-manned-by-teenagers/

'An extraordinary responsibility' — Ukraine's new ground forces commander outlines key priorities (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/new-ground-forces-commander-sets-priorities-troop-generation-training-and-unity/?mc_cid=51597b54d0&mc_eid=08d0680a95

Russia’s struggle to modernize its military industry (Chatham House):

https://www.chathamhouse.org/2025/07/russias-struggle-modernize-its-military-industry

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Ukrainian hackers 'wipe databases' in major cyberattack & Russian strikes hit Kyiv metro where hundreds sheltering Jul 21, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,244.

Today, after another sleepless night for millions in Kyiv, we bring in experts to look at the shifting strategy of the Russian intelligence services, and hear a firsthand account of Putin’s seizure of power and the complicity of Russia’s elite. How did a fledgling democracy die?

Contributors:

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

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

With thanks to Irina Borogan (investigative journalist) @irinaborogan on X and Andrei Soldatov (investigative journalist). @AndreiSoldatov on X.

Content Referenced:

‘Our Dear Friends in Moscow: The Inside Story of a Broken Generation’ by Andrei Soldatov & Irina Borogan:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Our-Dear-Friends-Moscow-Generation/dp/1541704452

Russia strikes Kyiv metro entrance as civilians shelter inside (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/21/russia-strikes-kyiv-lukianivska-metro-bomb-shelters-ukraine/

Texas man joins Russian army to “earn respect,” gets lied to as he is sent to front line instead of welding job (Euromaidan Press):

https://euromaidanpress.com/2025/07/16/texas-man-joins-russian-army-to-earn-respect-gets-lied-to-as-he-is-sent-to-front-line-instead-of-welding-job/

Ukrainian hackers wipe databases at Russia's Gazprom in major cyberattack, intelligence source says (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-intel-hackers-hit-gazproms-network-infrastructure-sources-say-07-2025/

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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

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Unmasked: The Russian spies who targeted Europe on Putin’s orders Jul 18, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,241.

Today, further to the usual military and political updates, we discuss a major coordinated announcement exposing senior Russian intelligence officers responsible for some of the most significant operations against Ukraine and its allies in recent years, then hear more about Moscow’s illegal operations in the occupied territories.

Contributors:

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

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

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

Content Referenced:

Unmasked: The Russian spies who targeted Britain on Putin’s orders (Joe Barnes in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/18/russian-spies-targeted-britain-unmasked-putin/

Ukraine invites foreign defense companies to test weapons on the battlefield (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-invites-foreign-defense-companies-to-test-weapons-on-the-battlefield/?mc_cid=5a0f6966b6&mc_eid=08d0680a95

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Russia drops 500kg bomb on Donetsk & missing Mi-8 helicopter found crashed in far East Jul 17, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,240.

Today, as Russia continues to target civilians, dropping a bomb on a shopping center, NATO members admit to being taken by surprise by Trump’s announcement that they would have to buy a Patriot missile system for Ukraine. Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz comes to the UK to discuss defence, and Ukraine names Yulia Svyrydenko new prime minister. Finally, our colleague Danielle Sheridan interviews former head of the British Army General Sir Patrick Sanders.

Photo for illustrative purposes. A Russian Mi-8 military helicopter flies near the town of al-Qahtaniyah, Syria, on Feb. 4, 2021. (Delil Souleiman / AFP via Getty Images)

Contributors:

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

Danielle Sheridan (Defence Editor). @SheridanDani on X.

With thanks to General Sir Patrick Sanders, former head of the British Army.

Content Referenced:

Starmer and Merz find their happy place: War, Politico

https://www.politico.eu/article/keir-starmer-friedrich-merz-war-uk-germany-europe-defense-security-missiles-donald-trump-ukraine/

Trump promised Patriots for Ukraine. Now Europe has to provide them, Reuters

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-celebrates-trumps-weapons-reversal-devils-details-2025-07-16/

'Prepare for war with Russia by 2030' says ex-army chief Gen Sir Patrick Sanders, Battle Lines, The Telegraph

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiK4YIowwTM&list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dk&index=1

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Zelensky 'shouldn’t target Moscow', says Trump & Russia commits 9,000 illegal chemical weapon attacks in Ukraine Jul 16, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,239.

Today, as mass attacks struck Ukraine overnight, we continue analysing the latest developments from Washington as Trump, when probed by reporters, seemed to shy away from the promises he’d made to Zelensky on July 4th. Finally, we have a conversation with Ukrainian Cultural Forces on the role of music in cultural diplomacy and in rehabilitation for wounded soldiers.

Contributors:

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

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

Content Referenced:

Cultural Forces of Ukraine:

https://culturalforces.org/en/

Donald Trump asked Volodymyr Zelenskyy if Ukraine could hit Moscow, say people briefed on call (Financial Times)"

https://www.ft.com/content/b66f03b5-e295-4f8c-92ba-516a527d588c

In squeezing Putin, Trump 'escalates to de-escalate' (Washington Post):

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/07/14/trump-ukraine-war-missiles-russia-arms-package/

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Patriot missiles 'inbound', says Trump & 100% tariffs if no peace within 50 days Jul 15, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,238.

Today, we analyse the widely-publicised announcements yesterday by President Trump in the White House, and consider just how significant they are. Is this a turning point? Then we hear from medical professionals providing services in the occupied territories.

Contributors:

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

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

With thanks to Robert Hickin of the charity GP Now. @GPNow on X.

Content Referenced:

Learn More about GP Now:

https://www.gpnow.net/ukrainian-crisiscare

Trump asked Zelensky if Ukraine could strike Moscow (The Telegraph Live Blog)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/15/ukraine-russia-war-trump-putin-zelensky-latest-news/

Trump tells Putin: Sign peace deal or face 100pc tariffs (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2025/07/14/trump-tells-putin-sign-peace-deal-50-days-face-100pc-tariff/

Donald Trump asked Volodymyr Zelenskyy if Ukraine could hit Moscow, say people briefed on call (Financial Times):

https://www.ft.com/content/b66f03b5-e295-4f8c-92ba-516a527d588c

Zelensky announces next prime minister, launches government reshuffle (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/breaking-zelensky-proposes-first-deputy-prime-minister-svyrydenko-to-lead-ukrainian-government/?mc_cid=30907a7fa9&mc_eid=08d0680a95

I'm 'disappointed but not done' with Putin, Trump tells BBC (BBC):

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1e02q12z32o

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Trump 'sending offensive weapons' to Ukraine after turning against Putin & Russians assassins killed after shooting top spy in Kyiv Jul 14, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,237.

Today after Donald Trump says Putin “talks nice then bombs everybody in the evening” the world is braced for a potential uptick in US support for Ukraine and we report how Ukraine says it has killed the Russian agents responsible for assassinating an SBU officer last week. Plus, we hear the latest from the battlefields in eastern Ukraine, including a dispatch from those risking their lives to get electricity to the front lines.

Contributors:

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

Francis Farrell (Reporter, The Kyiv Independent). @francisjfarrell on X.

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

Content Referenced:

Telegraph Live Blog on Trump’s Statement:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/14/ukraine-russia-war-trump-putin-zelensky-latest-news/

Dispatch: Ukraine turns to machines to spare troops from drone-infested ‘grey zone’ (Memphis Barker in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/05/inside-ukraine-grey-zone-soldiers-machines-russia-war/

Francis Farrell’s Latest Pieces in Kyiv Independent:

https://kyivindependent.com/author/francis-farrell/

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How Ukraine plans to win the war & Europe sees first new nuclear pact without America Jul 11, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,234.

Today, after a report finds Putin’s forces have gained 0.038 square kilometers of territory for every soldier it’s lost since July 2024, we look at the significance of new announcements by Ukraine’s allies in Rome and London, and discuss the Ukrainian theory of victory.

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.

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

With thanks to Alina Frolova (Deputy Chairman of the Centre for Defence Strategies). @a_frolova_mod on X.

Content Referenced:

Film: ‘This is also Ukraine’ Trailer, tickets and detail: https://factoryinternational.org/whats-on/balmy-ukraine-this-is-also-ukraine/

Russia’s summer Ukraine offensive looks like its deadliest so far (The Economist):

https://www.economist.com/interactive/graphic-detail/2025/07/09/russias-summer-ukraine-offensive-looks-like-its-deadliest-so-far

Zelensky considers Defense Minister Rustem Umerov for ambassador post in US (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-considers-defense-minister-rustem-umerov-to-become-ukraine-ambassador-to-us

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Top spy shot dead with silenced pistol in Kyiv & Ukrainian partisans sabotage railways in former Stalingrad Jul 10, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,233.

Today, as Kyiv endures yet another mass aerial attack and Pres Zel arr in Rome for the annual Ukraine Recovery Conference, we report on espionage activities inside Ukraine, and later we talk to the Chief Adoption Officer of the NATO Innovation Fund.

Contributors:

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

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

With thanks to John Ridge (Chief Adoption Officer of the NATO Innovation Fund).

Content Referenced:

Ukrainian spy assassinated by gunman in Kyiv (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/10/ukrainian-spy-assassinated-by-gunman-in-kyiv/

Chinese father and son arrested for spying on Ukraine’s missile programme (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/10/ukraine-arrests-chinese-father-son-spying-neptune-missile/

Russia grooms Ukrainian teens as spies and saboteurs (Financial Times):

https://www.ft.com/content/5cb5ebf9-bfb3-4a50-bc2f-79540baf8f87

Secret Russian Intelligence Document Shows Deep Suspicion of China (New York Times):

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/07/world/europe/china-russia-spies-documents-putin-war.html

Gardaí investigate bomb found at Russian-owned refinery in Limerick (Irish Times):

https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/2025/07/06/gardai-probe-bomb-found-at-russian-owned-refinery-in-limerick

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Trump threatened Putin he'd 'bomb the sh*t out of Moscow’ & Ukraine pounded in heaviest blitz of war Jul 09, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,232.

Today, as Donald Trump calls out Vladimir Putin’s “bullshit” and appears to back fresh US sanctions on Russia, we read between the lines of President Macron’s address to the British parliament, and get an update on the so-called ‘Coalition of the Willing’.

Contributors:

Venetia Rainey (Planning editor & Co-host Battle Lines podcast). @venetiarainey on X.

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

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.

Content Referenced:

Join us in Scarborough *tonight*:

https://scarboroughfair.uk/events/putins-folly-the-war-in-ukraine-three-years-on/

Troop deployment plans abandoned in latest Coalition of the Willing talks (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/08/troop-deployment-plans-abandoned-coalition-of-the-willing/

Macron oozes charm with a hint of triumphalism as he seduces MPs