Ukraine: The Latest

Latest Episodes:

Putin stunned into 'strange silence' after Zelensky's invitation to peace talks May 13, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,175.

Today, we look ahead to what might happen on Thursday in Istanbul. We discuss whether Putin will show up at all. We also dive into the potential 17th round of sanctions if Russia doesn’t agree to a ceasefire, and whether Europe can deliver on its promises. Finally, Francis has a robust conversation with the Hungarian Secretary of State for International Communication and Relations, Zoltán Kovács, at the Hungarian embassy in London.

Contributors:

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

Dom Nicholls (Associate Editor for Defence). @DomNicholls on X.

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

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

With thanks to Zoltan Kovacs, Hungarian Secretary of State for International Communication and Relations.

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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.

Content Referenced:

Joe Barnes, on the Telegraph:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/j/jk-jo/joe-barnes/

Trump toys with late entrance to Ukraine-Russia peace talks, Telegraph:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/05/12/russia-ukraine-zelensky-putin-war-latest-news/

UK to Unveil New Russia Sanctions as European Ministers Meet, Bloomberg

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-05-11/uk-to-unveil-new-russia-sanctions-as-european-ministers-meet

Why the EU is racing to expand its Russia sanctions in a push for peace, Financial Times

https://www.ft.com/content/2a781235-ad89-4aaf-a55f-c4863ba060c1

EU readies capital controls and tariffs to safeguard Russia sanctions, Financial Times

https://www.ft.com/content/7f7687da-b31a-4c64-a446-221c4a756a05

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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.

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Putin faces new ultimatum: meet Zelensky, or new weapons and sanctions 'incoming' May 12, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,174.

Today, we unpack a momentous weekend of diplomacy which began with the European leaders of Britain, Germany, France, and Poland assembling in Kyiv to demand an unconditional ceasefire, escalated with a late-night address from Vladimir Putin and fresh drone attacks, then culminated in a shock intervention from Donald Trump. Afterwards, we offer a detailed analysis on the strategic picture on the front lines.

Contributors:

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

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

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Content Referenced:

Francis Farrell’s reporting for the Kyiv Independent:

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

Putin defies ceasefire demand with major drone barrage (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/05/12/russia-ukraine-zelensky-putin-war-latest-news/

Trump’s top negotiator accused of breaking protocol in talks with Putin (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/05/11/witkoff-used-kremlin-interpreter-breach-of-protocol/

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Chinese troops march in Putin's Victory Day parade as Xi joins Putin to spite Trump May 09, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,171.

Today, as Vladimir Putin hosts world leaders in Moscow for his Victory Day Parade, we break down what was really on display: both in military hardware and political messaging. How much of the spectacle honored World War II, and how much signaled the rise of a militarised Russia? Then, we speak with a former Ukrainian MP and leader of the Sky Shield initiative about proposals for Kyiv’s allies to shoot down enemy missiles, and report on the latest resistance efforts in occupied territories.

Contributors:

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

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

Oksana Pyzik (Associate Professor Pharm Prac & Policy at UCL). @OksanaPyzikUCL on X.

With thanks to Lesia Orobets (former Member of Parliament of Ukraine). @LesyaOrobets on X and Illia Riepin.

Content Referenced:

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

In full: Russia Victory Day parade 2025 w. commentary from Dom/Oksana (The Telegraph):

https://www.youtube.com/live/YMfnk-j42Rs

Soviets determined WW2, Putin tells Victory Day parade in Trump rebuff (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/05/09/russia-ukraine-zelensky-putin-war-latest-news529/

Russia building major new explosives facility as Ukraine war drags on (Reuters):

https://www.reuters.com/investigations/russia-building-major-new-explosives-facility-ukraine-war-drags-2025-05-08/

Learn more about the Sky Shield plan:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/16e4_huHkGl_MU2Qk2CH6skxnKn6kYzH3/view

Learn more about Ukrainian Action:

https://www.ukrainianaction.com/

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Victory Day truce 'a farce', say allies & Ukraine proposes 30km demilitarized zone for peace May 08, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,170.

Today, as the end of the Second World War in Europe is marked in most European countries, we report how Vladimir Putin’s three-day ‘goodwill ceasefire’ designed to protect his own commemoration tomorrow appears to have been broken already, we examine three very strong and uncharacteristically critical comments by the United States administration about Russia, and we ask whether Friedrich Merz has hit the ground running, or fallen at the first hurdle.

Contributors:

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

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

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

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

Content Referenced:

'Putin’s top 3 lies: from Ukraine to the Second World War' (Video by Francis):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mdvqJy-zVk

Putin welcomes Xi Jinping at Kremlin (The Telegraph Live Blog):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/05/08/russia-ukraine-zelensky-putin-xi-jinping-moscow/

JD Vance: Russia is asking for too much from Ukraine (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2025/05/07/jd-vance-russia-asking-too-much-from-ukraine/

Former British Army soldier “Swampy” killed in Ukraine (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/05/07/former-british-soldier-killed-in-ukraine/

Putin’s Victory Day display is a charade, not a parade (Hamish’s article):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/05/08/putins-victory-day-display-is-a-charade-not-a-parade/

Russia has damaged, destroyed over 2,300 medical infrastructure facilities since beginning of full-scale invasion, health ministry says (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/russia-has-damaged-destroyed-over-2-300-medical-infrastructure-facilities-since-beginning-of-full-scale-invasion-health-ministry-says/

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Putin’s war machine ‘burns’ as Russia strips frontlines to shield Moscow & Biden accuses Trump of ‘appeasement’ May 07, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,169.

Today, as – for the third day running – Ukrainian drones sow chaos in the skies above Moscow, we analyse the final preparations for Putin’s Victory Day parade, and discuss President Biden’s first interview since leaving office, hours after Friedrich Merz finally became Chancellor of Germany at a pivotal moment in modern European history.

Contributors:

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

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

James Kilner (Editor of The Central Asia & South Caucasus Bulletin and The Russia Morning Memo). @jkjourno on X

Content Referenced:

James Kilner’s Bulletins -

The Russian Memo: https://www.thememo.news/

The Central Asia and South Caucasus Bulletin: https://www.thememo.news/

Battle Lines episode on India-Pakistan fears:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/04/28/battle-lines-global-rearmament-india-pakistan-kashmir/

Interview with Biden Advisor Mike Carpenter:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2DeReNhsKg

Biden: Trump is appeasing Putin, that’s not who we are (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/05/07/biden-trump-is-appeasing-putin-that-is-not-who-we-are/

Merz becomes chancellor of ‘unstable’ Germany after first vote humiliation (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/05/06/merz-unexpectedly-fails-not-elected-as-german-chancellor/

Europe vows to halt all Russian gas imports (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/05/07/europe-vows-to-halt-all-russian-gas-imports/

What If America Abandons Ukraine? (Foreign Affairs):

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/ukraine/what-if-america-abandons-ukraine

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'World first' as sea drone shoots down Russian fighter jet & Putin cancels Victory Day parade in Crimea May 06, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,168.

Today, as Friedrich Merz suffers a “humiliating and unexpected setback” on his way to becoming German Chancellor, we report how the Kremlin is preparing for Friday’s Victory Day parade, all while nervously watching the skies for Ukrainian drones, after two successive nights of attacks on Moscow.

Contributors:

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

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

With thanks to Ash Bhardwaj, an award-winning journalist, broadcaster, and author, who specialises in blending defence, security and travel.

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Content Referenced:

Video Special of Ukraine: The Latest Answering Your Questions:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9szTxRfF7TU

'Taras' Film Screening with Dom Nicholls on Wednesday:

https://www.ucl.ac.uk/bloomsbury-theatre/events/2025/may/ua-x-ucl-taras-film-screening

Edgelands: Stories from the Russian border (Ash Bhardwaj’s Telegraph Podcast):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/edgelands/

Ash’s Event in London on Thursday:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-travel-builds-purpose-resilience-and-emotional-fitness-tickets-1321565882129?aff=oddtdtcreator

Starmer prepares for attack by Russia (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/05/05/starmer-prepares-for-attack-by-russia/

Russia used thermobaric weapons in drone strike on Kharkiv, Ukrainian prosecutors say (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/russia-used-thermobaric-weapons-in-drone-strike-on-kharkiv-ukrainian-prosecutors-say/?mc_cid=fa397ac35b&mc_eid=08d0680a95

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'What's it like being shot at in a tank?' - Q&A Special May 05, 2025

Show notes

Today, on a public holiday in the UK, we answer questions submitted by listeners around the world. What's it like being shot at in a tank? What would happen in the US suddenly stopped supporting Ukraine? Why do missiles do more damage in Ukraine than in Israel? What could give the 'Coalition of the Willing' more bite? And is 2025 the year Russian economy finally collapses? Plus many more.

See Dom, Francis and Adélie in our studio by watching this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/9szTxRfF7TU

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It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers to The Telegraph.

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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Massive drone strikes blast Russian airbases in occupied Crimea as US retreats from peace talks May 02, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,164.

Today, as a drone attack hits Russian airbases in occupied Crimea, we continue to unpack the minerals deal signed between the US and Ukraine and we contemplate whether the US might be pulling out of the peace negotiations. We also look at the latest news from Central Asia and we hear from a visual artist who donated a photograph to the Kherson Art Museum, which was looted by Russian soldiers in 2022.

Contributors:

Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Narrative Podcast Producer). @adeliepjz on X.

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

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

With thanks to Emeric Lhuisset (visual artist). @emericlhuisset on Insta.

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Content Referenced:

Massive drone attack reportedly targets Russian military sites in occupied Crimea

https://kyivindependent.com/massive-drone-attack-targets-russian-military-sites-in-occupied-crimea/

F-16s Pulled From U.S. Boneyard Are Being Delivered To Ukraine For Spare Parts

https://www.twz.com/air/f-16s-pulled-from-u-s-boneyard-are-being-delivered-to-ukraine-for-spare-parts

TED Talk by Palmer Luckey, the founder of Anduril Industries:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooMXEwl7N8Y

On Chernobyl fallout in southern Belarus, in The Dial:

https://www.thedial.world/articles/news/issue-25/chernobyl-disaster-belarus?utm_source=The+Dial&utm_campaign=44938c8849-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2025_02_19_04_11&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-44938c8849-458325807

On Emeric Lhuisset's work, From a painting to a viral photo, a fight for Ukraine's history, Le Monde:

https://www.lemonde.fr/en/culture/article/2023/11/22/from-a-painting-to-a-viral-photo-a-fight-for-ukraine-s-history_6279646_30.html

Fundraising for the British Heart Foundation, in memory of David Knowles

https://www.justgiving.com/page/rhcc-vs-lwcc?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=WA&utm_campaign=015#supportersList

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Exclusive: Trump blames Putin for invasion as US-Ukraine minerals deal is finally signed May 01, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,163.

Today, as the United States and Ukraine finally sign a much-revised minerals deal, we look at what it might mean for the future security of Ukraine – and we return to Germany to examine the first appointments of Friedrich Merz’s top team and ask why some commentators are questioning whether members of the German elite are really serious about rearmament, or would perhaps prefer a rapprochement with Russia.

Contributors:

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

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

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

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

It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers.

Content Referenced:

Trump minerals deal blames Putin for invasion (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/05/01/russia-ukraine-zelensky-putin-war-trump-latest-news/

Trump OKs First Cash Weapons Sale to Kyiv, Partly Lifts Hold on Ukrainian Military Aid (Kyiv Post):

https://www.kyivpost.com/post/51800

Realizing America’s Drone Revolution (War on the Rocks):

https://warontherocks.com/2025/04/realizing-americas-drone-revolution/

Hundreds of North Korean troops killed while fighting Ukraine, Seoul says (Reuters):

https://www.reuters.com/world/about-600-north-koreans-killed-ukraine-war-south-korean-lawmaker-says-2025-04-30/

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Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatest

Learn more about the tech: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/24/ukraine-the-latest-podcast-russian-ukrainian-ai-translation/

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'No Pause, No Mercy': Putin's forces 'surge' despite Trump threats and ceasefire offer Apr 30, 2025

Show notes

Day 1,162.

Today, as Russian troops intensify offensive operations in several oblasts – Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson – we talk about the latest conversations amongst the coalition of the willing, where the tone is decidedly pessimistic. Then we do a deeper dive into the latest positions of China, Turkey, and Syria in relation to the war.

Contributors:

Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Narrative Podcast Producer)@Adeliepjz on X.

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

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

Content Referenced:

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

It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers.

Sophia Yan’s Podcasts on China -

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/how-to-become-a-dictator-podcast/

Europe ‘would struggle to put 25,000 troops on the ground in Ukraine’ (The Times):

https://www.thetimes.com/uk/defence/article/europe-uk-peacekeeping-troops-ukraine-6tp2cfgg5

Europe fears Trump preparing to walk away from Ukraine talks (Financial Times):