In this episode we return in person to Ukraine, but we start in Ukraine's neighbouring state of Moldova, a fellow former soviet republic where we were joined by friend of the podcast Julius Strauss and Kimberley Reczek.

Prior to our arrival they had spent the day in Transnistria, a tiny breakaway region of Moldova which is effectively controlled by Russia, they gave us some fascinating insight into this relatively unknown and fascinating region.

We also document the first stages of our latest trip into Ukraine, with our first stop in the historic Ukrainian Black Sea city of Odesa.

If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected]

Producer: James Hodgson

X: @PodBattleground

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This week, Saul and Patrick discuss the incoming Trump administration plans or lack thereof, for bringing the war in Ukraine to a peaceful settlement.

They also have a look at the ongoing diplomatic spat between Zelenskyy and neighbouring Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico, and take a deeper look at the news that Ukrainian forces have captured their first North Korean prisoners.

If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected]

Producer: James Hodgson

X: @PodBattleground

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In this episode of Battleground '45, Saul is joined by historian Keith Lowe to discuss their upcoming history tour along the Elbe. The Elbe river runs down from Czechia right through the heart of Germany, together they map out some of the remarkable and sobering tales of history that happened in many of the locations they will be visiting on the tour, including Operation Anthropoid, the bombing of Dresden, and a remarkable escape story from Königstein Castle.

To find out more visit www.ww2museumtours.org or email [email protected]

If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected]

Producer: James Hodgson

X: @PodBattleground

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In this bonus episode of Battleground: Ukraine, Saul and Patrick address a wide range of listeners questions, from possible peace negotiation strategies to Ukrainian Air Force capabilities, and why did Russian gas pipelines passing through Ukraine remain open?

Interested in supporting the Augustae Annia Foundation in Ukraine? Then follow the link below to find out more.

https://www.augustaeannia.com/donation-links

If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected]

Producer: James Hodgson

X: @PodBattleground

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With President Trump’s inauguration only ten days away speculation swirling around as to whether the last chapter in the Ukraine war is about to open. Together Saul and Patrick look at how Trump will approach this first great problem facing his leadership.

But they also turn to Russia and Putin in particular. To help them look at how things may play out inside the Kremlin they'll be talking to Alan Philps, longtime Moscow correspondent for

Reuters and the Daily Telegraph and veteran Russia watcher who gives his thoughts about how things may play out in the coming year.

If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected]

Producer: James Hodgson

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In this episode Saul and Patrick will be looking forward to how the Second World War developed in its final year, highlighting the hinge moments and giving you a taste of the treats in store as week by week they look back to events eighty years ago.

If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected]

Producer: James Hodgson

X: @PodBattleground

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In the first Battleground: Ukraine podcast of 2025, Saul and Patrick speak to friend of the

podcast Askold Khruselnysky, who spent Christmas close the front lines with

a Ukrainian Unit specialising in innovative forms of drone warfare. In his dispatch from Kyiv he describes how this unit was able to successfully launch and carry out an assault with only unmanned vehicles in perhaps the first fully automated battle of the war.

If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected]

Producer: James Hodgson

X: @PodBattleground

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This week on Battleground '45 Patrick is joined by author Mark Ellis, to discuss an often overlooked aspect of life during the second world war, the world of crime. The conditions of wartime Britain led to a crime boom, with new opportunities arising for those criminals seeking to take advantage and profit whilst the authorities were often overwhelmed.

If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected]

Producer: James Hodgson

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In this last podcast of 2024, Saul and Patrick will be ranging over the big moments in the Ukraine conflict in all its various dimensions and trying to see what they tell us about how 2025 will unfold.

If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected]

Producer: James Hodgson

X: @PodBattleground

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Joining Saul to discuss the multiple westward offensives of the Soviet Red Army in the winter of 1944/45 is friend of the podcast Evan Mawdsley.

Together they discuss the multiple Soviet Armies that advanced into Europe following the expulsion of German forces from the Soviet Union's borders, and how political decisions dictated the deployment of the Red Army as Stalin sought to seize control and influence over Eastern and Central Europe.

If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected]

Producer: James Hodgson

X: @PodBattleground

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