Ukrainecast - TopPodcast.com

View Top 200 Chart

Back to Rankings Page

Ukrainecast — News
Ukrainecast

The BBC’s only English language programme entirely dedicated to the war in Ukraine and its fallout, Ukrainecast is your go-to podcast which investigates the biggest issues around the conflict: Could Putin push the nuclear button? How could Donald Trump end the war in 24 hours? What is the price for peace? The podcast is hosted by Newsnight presenter Victoria Derbyshire and BBC Monitoring’s Vitaly Shevchenko. Ukrainecast covers the most important topics around the conflict and speaks to the real people who’ve lived through several years of war. It also brings you agenda-setting interviews with special guests each week such as UK foreign secretary David Cameron, former US secretary of state Mike Pompeo and pre-eminent Russia expert Fiona Hill.

You can fill out our audience questionnaire here: bit.ly/ukrainecastfeedback

GET IN TOUCH: You can join our Ukrainecastonline community here: tinyurl.com/ukrainecastdiscord Send us a message or voicenote via WhatsApp to +443301239480 Email Ukrainecast@bbc.co.uk
You can listen to the latest episode of Ukrainecast anytime on your smart speaker by saying “Alexa, Ask BBC Sounds for Ukrainecast.”
If you enjoy Ukrainecast (and if you’re reading this then you hopefully do), then we think that you will enjoy some of our other pods too. See links below. The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd The Today Podcast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r Americast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p07h19zz Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p05299nl

Copyright: © (C) BBC 2023

Latest Episodes:

Q&A: Russian drones in Poland and what it means for Nato Sep 11, 2025

Show notes

A major incident occurred on Ukraine’s doorstep this week when at least 19 Russian drones entered Polish airspace, four of which were shot down. Despite Russia’s insistence that it had no intention of striking targets inside Poland, this is nonetheless being considered a significant test both of the durability of Nato’s eastern flank, and the resolve of its member states to defend it.

To discuss the response to this incursion, Lucy and Vitaly are joined by BBC Verify’s Olga Robinson and security correspondent Frank Gardner. They consider the prospect of escalation, and explain why western leaders feel they have to tread so carefully.

Today’s episode is presented by Lucy Hockings and Vitaly Shevchenko. The producers were Laurie Kalus and Julia Webster. The technical producer was Jack Graysmark. The social producer was Joe Wilkinson. The executive producer was Lewis Vickers. The series producer is Chris Flynn. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham. Email Ukrainecast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments. You can also send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram to +44 330 1239480

You can join the Ukrainecast discussion on Newscast’s Discord server here: tinyurl.com/ukrainecastdiscord

A government building struck in Kyiv and a new threat from Trump Sep 09, 2025

Show notes

After a Ukrainian government building was damaged in a Russian strike for the first time, Donald Trump told reporters outside the White House that he was ready to implement new sanctions against Moscow. So, what might ‘phase two’ of a US sanctions package look like, and could it impact the Kremlin’s ability to finance its ongoing invasion?

To discuss Washington’s options, we’re joined by Stephanie Baker, a senior writer in Bloomberg’s investigations team and author of ‘Punishing Putin: Inside the Global Economic War to Bring Down Russia’. Plus, Mikey Kay from the Security Brief on BBC News gives his take on how this latest strike could have happened.

Today’s episode is presented by Lucy Hockings and Vitaly Shevchenko.

The producers were Laurie Kalus and Julia Webster. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The social producer was Joe Wilkinson. The series producer is Chris Flynn. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Email Ukrainecast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments. You can also send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram to +44 330 1239480

You can join the Ukrainecast discussion on Newscast’s Discord server here: tinyurl.com/ukrainecastdiscord

Q&A: Putin in China, EU aspirations and western escalation Sep 04, 2025

Show notes

Emmanuel Macron and Sir Keir Starmer have once again convened the so-called ‘Coalition of the Willing’ in Paris to consolidate proposals for post-war security guarantees for Ukraine. But as Europe looks to a hypothetical future, a growing alliance led by China is focused on a new era of global leadership which Xi Jinping says has already arrived. The Chinese president welcomed a host of world leaders this week, with none more notable than Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, who is continuing his re-emergence on the diplomatic stage.

To answer your questions, Lucy and Vitaly are joined by the BBC’s chief international correspondent, Lyse Doucet. As US-led peace efforts continue to falter, they discuss the implications for Ukraine, with Russia’s non-western allies showing no sign of relinquishing either economic or political support for the ongoing invasion.

You can fill out our audience questionnaire here: bit.ly/ukrainecastfeedback

Today’s episode is presented by Lucy Hockings and Vitaly Shevchenko. The producers were Laurie Kalus and Julia Webster. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The social producer was Sophie Millward. The series producer is Chris Flynn. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham. Email Ukrainecast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments. You can also send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram to +44 330 1239480

You can join the Ukrainecast discussion on Newscast’s Discord server here: tinyurl.com/ukrainecastdiscord

As Putin meets Xi, is China invested in Russia's invasion? Sep 02, 2025

Show notes

As Vladimir Putin rubs shoulders with Xi Jinping and Narendra Modi in Beijing, the West’s failure to force Russia into peace in Ukraine has rarely been portrayed more starkly. Despite sanctions threats, neither China nor India has shown any sign of curtailing trade with Russia, and in response to Donald Trump’s decision to single out Delhi for additional tariffs over its dealings in Russian energy, Prime Minister Modi appears to be looking elsewhere for diplomatic cover.

To discuss how Moscow can benefit from strengthening these alliances, Victoria and Vitaly are joined by pre-eminent Russia expert, Fiona Hill, who is currently a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution - a Washington-based foreign policy think tank. She gives her take on the state of diplomatic efforts to end the conflict, and what the US and Europe might do next.

You can fill out our audience questionnaire here: bit.ly/ukrainecastfeedback

Today’s episode is presented by Victoria Derbyshire and Vitaly Shevchenko. The producers were Laurie Kalus and Julia Webster. The technical producer was Rohan Madison. The social producer was Grace Braddock. The series producer is Tim Walklate. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham. Email Ukrainecast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments. You can also send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram to +44 330 1239480

You can join the Ukrainecast discussion on Newscast’s Discord server here: tinyurl.com/ukrainecastdiscord

Q&A: Kyiv strikes, Putin's legitimacy and China's nuclear stance Aug 28, 2025

Show notes

There have been multiple civilian casualties in Kyiv after sustained Russian airstrikes on the Ukrainian capital overnight. The UK Foreign Office has told Moscow to "stop this senseless killing" and earlier summoned Russia's ambassador in the UK to protest. But will these latest attacks have any bearing on international attempts to broker a peace deal?

To examine the fallout, Jamie and Vitaly are joined by Ukraine correspondent James Waterhouse and BBC Verify’s Olga Robinson. They also discuss Vladimir Putin’s legitimacy under the Russian constitution, Poland’s place in the conflict, and whether China could take a more prominent diplomatic role as Russia's president prepares to travel to Beijing.

You can fill out our audience questionnaire here: bit.ly/ukrainecastfeedback

Today’s episode is presented by Jamie Coomarasamy and Vitaly Shevchenko. The producers were Laurie Kalus and Polly Hope. The technical producer was Dafydd Evans. The social producer was Sophie Millward. The series producer is Tim Walklate. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham. Email Ukrainecast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments. You can also send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram to +44 330 1239480

You can join the Ukrainecast discussion on Newscast’s Discord server here: tinyurl.com/ukrainecastdiscord

What does diplomatic deadlock mean for Donbas? Aug 26, 2025

Show notes

As Russia continues to pour cold water on the prospect of an imminent summit between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky, efforts to end the war in Ukraine appear to have returned to a familiar holding pattern. Despite the fanfare surrounding key summits in Alaska and Washington, significant divisions remain on key issues from territorial concessions to security guarantees. So, with Trump once again restarting the clock on the deadline for Russian cooperation, what sort of progress can we expect in the coming weeks?

Today, we’re joined from Ukraine’s Donbas region by our correspondent Quentin Sommerville, to discuss how the lives of those on the front line are being materially affected by diplomatic deadlock. And, former senior US intelligence officer Andrea Kendall-Taylor gives her view on what it would take for headway to be made in peace negotiations.

You can fill out our audience questionnaire here: bit.ly/ukrainecastfeedback

This episode is presented by Victoria Derbyshire and Vitaly Shevchenko. The producers were Laurie Kalus and Polly Hope. The technical producer was Ben Andrews. The social producer was Grace Braddock. The series producer is Tim Walklate. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham. Email Ukrainecast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments. You can also send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram to +44 330 1239480

You can join the Ukrainecast discussion on Newscast’s Discord server here: tinyurl.com/ukrainecastdiscord

Q&A: Security Guarantees, Ukrainian Elections and Putin's Trump Whispering Aug 21, 2025

Show notes

After headline-grabbing meetings in Alaska and Washington, members of the world’s media are on high alert, as Donald Trump talks up the chances of a summit between Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin. So, has a change in tone from the US on security guarantees moved the needle? Is a temporary ceasefire now less likely? And crucially, would a face-to-face encounter with a leader he’s long sought to delegitimise, mark a clear concession from President Putin?

This week, the Ukrainecast studio is hosting an unprecedented meeting of its own, as the BBC’s Russia editor Steve Rosenberg, and Ukraine correspondent James Waterhouse unite in person for the first time. They join Jamie to answer all of your questions, and consider where we stand following this latest diplomatic frenzy.

Today’s episode is presented by Jamie Coomarasamy. The producers were Laurie Kalus and Polly Hope. The technical producer was James Piper. The series producer is Tim Walklate. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

You can fill out our audience questionnaire here: bit.ly/ukrainecastfeedback Email Ukrainecast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments. You can also send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram to +44 330 1239480

You can join the Ukrainecast discussion on Newscast’s Discord server here: tinyurl.com/ukrainecastdiscord

Can Trump persuade Putin to meet Zelensky? Aug 19, 2025

Show notes

White House talks between Donald Trump and European leaders continued into the night yesterday, with plenty on the agenda including the shape of future security guarantees for Ukraine, and the prospect of a meeting between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky. The Ukrainian president made a noticeable effort to charm his US counterpart, but with disagreements over the need for a ceasefire and the issue of territory seemingly absent from discussions, are we any closer to the end of the war?

We’re joined this week by Anders Fogh Rasmussen, the former Nato Secretary General and ex-prime minister of Denmark, who led a key international working group on security guarantees for Ukraine. Plus Vitaly gives Jamie his assessment of proceedings from DC, and we get the thoughts of Ukrainians experiencing the conflict close up.

Today’s episode is presented by Jamie Coomarasamy and Vitaly Shevchenko. The producers were Laurie Kalus and Polly Hope. The technical producer was James Piper. The social producer was Grace Braddock. The series producer is Tim Walklate. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham. Email Ukrainecast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments. You can also send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram to +44 330 1239480

You can join the Ukrainecast discussion on Newscast’s Discord server here: tinyurl.com/ukrainecastdiscord

What did we learn from the Trump-Putin summit? Aug 16, 2025

Show notes

The first face to face meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin since the war in Ukraine started is over, with Donald Trump saying “we didn’t get there” on a Ukraine deal, or a ceasefire. The meeting lasted three hours, with the US president insisting progress was made, and Putin saying he is “sincerely interested” in ending the war, but without giving details. The two leaders both addressed the media at the end of the summit, but didn’t take questions.

In a special collaboration, Victoria and Vitaly were joined by Americast's Sarah Smith in Alaska and Adam Fleming from Newscast.

The producers were Purvee Pattni and Cai Pigliucci. The technical producer was Antonio Fernandes. The social producer was Grace Braddock. The series producer is Tim Walklate. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Email Ukrainecast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments. You can also send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram to +44 330 1239480

You can join the Ukrainecast discussion on Newscast’s Discord server here: tinyurl.com/ukrainecastdiscord

Q&A: The Trump-Putin Alaska Preview Aug 14, 2025

Show notes

A potentially historic summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin is due to take place in Alaska tomorrow. So, what is really on the agenda? Could Ukraine accept any proposal which sees its territory used as a bargaining chip? And would the US demand robust security guarantees as part of a hypothetical deal?

To answer your questions on all that and more, Jamie is joined by Ukraine correspondent James Waterhouse, BBC Verify’s Olga Robinson, and Matthew Savill of the Royal United Services Institute. Plus, Vitaly sends us an update from the airport as he prepares to cover the talks on the ground.

Today’s episode is presented by Jamie Coomarasamy. The producers were Laurie Kalus and Polly Hope. The technical producer was Phil Bull. The social producer was Sophie Millward. The series producer is Tim Walklate. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham. Email Ukrainecast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments. You can also send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram to +44 330 1239480

You can join the Ukrainecast discussion on Newscast’s Discord server here: tinyurl.com/ukrainecastdiscord

Related Podcasts