Day 1,064.

As news breaks of an eight-hour firefight between Ukrainian Special Operations Forces and North Korean troops inside Russia, we report how the new US Secretary of State has said any peace plan cannot allow Russia to pause before attacking Ukraine again.

Contributors:

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

James Crisp (Europe Editor). @JamesCrisp6 on X.

Georgina Wray (Deputy Video News Editor)

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

With thanks to Jukka Holkeri of Patria.

Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: [email protected]

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Day 1,063.

Today, less than 24 hours into the second Trump Presidency, we consider in detail his and his transition team’s latest remarks about the war, and what they tell us about the approach being adopted behind closed doors. Plus we take the temperature of the British Parliament with two vocal voices on the conflict calling for further actions against Moscow.

Contributors:

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

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

Dr Mike Martin MP (MP for Tunbridge Wells). @ThreshedThought on X.

Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst MP (MP for Solihull West and Shirley). @DrNShastriHurst on X.

Content referenced: 

BBC Today interview with a member of Trump's transition team:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00274zq

Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: [email protected]

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

Day 1,062.

Today, we talk about secretive air-defence systems - some developed by Ukraine and others donated by the UK in the 100-year partnership signed last week. We look ahead to the beginning of the second Trump era starting later today, in Washington. And Joe Barnes talks to lead trauma surgeon Dr Shehan Hettiaratchy about the realities of healthcare on the front line.

Contributors:

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

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

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

JoeBarnes (Brussels Correspondent). @Barnes_Joe on X.

With thanks to Dr Shehan Hettiaratchy (Lead trauma surgeon at Imperial College Healthcare). @ShehanHett on X.

Content referenced: 

Ukraine warns Trump that early peace talks would be catastrophic (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/01/18/ukraine-warns-trump-that-early-peace-talks-would-be-fatal/

Ukraine is teaching medics how to prepare for war (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/01/18/ukraine-is-teaching-british-medics-how-to-prepare-for-a-war/

Gravehawk: the new secretive air defense system (United24):

https://united24media.com/war-in-ukraine/the-new-secretive-gravehawk-air-defense-system-that-the-uk-is-giving-to-ukraine-5184

Russian fuel exports fall in 2024 as drone attacks, bans add to sanctions pressure (Reuters):

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/russias-2024-seaborne-oil-product-exports-hit-by-headwinds-including-drone-2025-01-17/

Attack damages Ukraine's oldest McDonald’s in Kyiv (Kyiv Independent):

https://united24media.com/war-in-ukraine/the-new-secretive-gravehawk-air-defense-system-that-the-uk-is-giving-to-ukraine-5184

The New Norm - On the culture shock when the first McDonald’s opened in Moscow in 1990 (Invisibilia, NPR)

https://www.npr.org/programs/invisibilia/481887848/the-new-norm

Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: [email protected]

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Day 1,059.

Today, we cover Ukrainian hits on a Russian refinery and gunpowder plot, reports of North Korean suicide troops, and Russian diplomats infiltrating the UK parliament. And we interview senior correspondent and author, Simon Shuster, on key decisions made by the outgoing Biden administration over the past three years.

Contributors:

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

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

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

With thanks to senior correspondent at TIME Magazine and author, Simon Shuster. @shustry on X.

Content referenced: 

The Showman by Simon Shuster:

https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-showman-simon-shuster?variant=41083800682530

Politico on the (other) Donald and Starmer’s visit to POland

https://www.politico.eu/newsletter/london-playbook/keir-and-the-other-donald/

Politico’s exclusive interview with Keir Starmer in Kyiv

https://www.politico.eu/article/america-europe-donald-trump-keir-starmer-ukraine-russia-peace-initiative/

The Guardian on Russian diplomats breaking into UK Parliament

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/jan/16/russian-diplomats-accessed-private-area-of-uk-parliament-in-security-breach

BBC on lack of convictions on Russian sanctions

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdd994vl76qo

Adélie’s Friday treat, a playlist from the French public radio on the best David Lynch music (for the many David-shaped holes in your lives)

https://www.radiofrance.fr/fip/podcasts/fip-tape/hommage-a-david-lynch-1803519

Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: [email protected]

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

Day 1,058.

Today, we follow Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s first official visit to Kyiv and the 100-year partnership deal he’s bringing with him. Plus we talk about a UN report that investigates alleged violations and abuses of human rights in the war against Ukraine by Russia.

Contributors:

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

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

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

Francis Dearnley (Associate Editor, Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.

With special thanks to Adam Sybera of the Kyiv Independent. @AKSybera on X.

Content referenced: 

UN Human Rights Council:

https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements-and-speeches/2025/01/statement-pablo-de-greiff-commissioner-independent-international

Live Blog on Zelensky in Kyiv:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/01/16/politics-latest-news-keir-starmer-ukraine-visit-zelensky/

Bloomberg on Labour x Kyiv relations:

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-01-15/starmer-s-caution-on-ukraine-risks-loss-of-clout-ahead-of-trump

Telegraph on peacekeeping troops

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/01/15/uk-france-talks-peacekeeping-troops-ukraine-war-russia/

Kyiv Independent on 100-year partnership: 

https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-uk-sign-100-year-partnership-agreement/

Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: [email protected]

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

Day 1,057.

Today, as the impact of Monday’s huge aerial strikes inside Russia becomes clearer, we report how the British government’s policy to allow Ukrainians to stay in the UK is starting to unravel, we talk with the producers of a new film showing how one veteran of the war has sought solace in the Carpathian Mountains, and we hear how Germany’s right-wing AfD party is complaining that they're being cyberbullied by a pack of cartoon dogs.

Contributors:

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

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

Genevieve Holl-Allen (Political Reporter). @Genevieve_Holl on X.

Learn more about Ukrainian Action:

https://www.ukrainianaction.com

Or you can contact: [email protected]

Content referenced:

Ukrainian refugees face losing their jobs over visa rules (Genevieve in The Telegraph) -

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/01/15/ukrainian-refugees-face-losing-jobs-over-visa-rules/

What British boots on the ground would look like in Ukraine (Joe in The Telegraph) -

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/01/15/ukraine-british-army-troops-peacekeeping-force-training/

US encounters European skepticism in last-ditch push to seize $300B in Russian assets for Ukraine leverage (CNN) -

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/14/politics/biden-russian-assets-ukraine-european-skepticism/index.html

Medieval stone disks found in Ukraine could be Viking solar compasses (Archeology News)

https://archaeologymag.com/2025/01/medieval-stone-disks-could-be-viking-compasses/

Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: [email protected]

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

Day 1,056.

Today, we discuss one of the largest mass drone attacks of the war, as Ukraine sets sites in many territories across Russia ablaze, and then do a deep dive into what Western ‘boots on the ground’ as part of any peace settlement would actually mean in practice.

Contributors:

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

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

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

Content Referenced:

Dom's documentary: Ukraine's frontline city where Russia abandoned its dead | Kharkiv dispatch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pN9pklQ6dpo&t=337s

Russia to sign ‘comprehensive’ deal with Iran in tightening of new anti-West axis (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/01/13/russia-to-sign-deal-with-iran/

Do Russians Really Support the War in Ukraine? (The New Yorker):

https://www.newyorker.com/news/a-reporter-at-large/do-russians-really-support-the-war-in-ukraine

Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: [email protected]

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

Day 1,055

Today, as Kyiv captures its first North Korean soldiers alive, we return to the pivotal question of the Russian economy's fragility and later speak to Ukrainian actors who have recreated their own experience of the war.

Contributors:

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

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

Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist & Narrative Podcast Producer). @adeliepjz on X.

Content Referenced:

Ukraine captures North Korean troops and takes them to Kyiv for questioning (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/01/11/ukraine-captures-north-korean-troops-kyiv-questioning/

North Korean diary reveals use of horrific tactic in Ukraine war (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/01/12/north-korean-diary-entry-horrific-tactic-ukraine-war-russia/

Boris Johnson brands Vladimir Putin a ‘f------ idiot’ over imperial ambitions (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/01/11/boris-johnson-brands-vladimir-putin-idiot-russia-ukraine/

British troops ‘should join post-war peacekeeping force in Ukraine’ (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/01/12/british-troops-post-war-peacekeeping-force-ukraine-defence/

Russia’s Hidden War Debt (Craig Kennedy):

https://navigatingrussia.substack.com/p/russias-hidden-war-debt?triedRedirect=true

Biden admin imposes harsh sanctions on Russian oil industry (CNN):

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/10/politics/biden-admin-russia-energy-sanctions-ukraine/index.html

US Companies Pay Over $1 Billion in Taxes to Russia Amid Ongoing Ukraine War (Newsweek):

https://www.newsweek.com/us-companies-pay-over-1-billion-taxes-russia-amid-ongoing-ukraine-war-2012473

Mariupol Drama in Manchester:

https://homemcr.org/production/mariupol-drama/

Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: [email protected]

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

Day 1,052

Today, as top diplomat Kaja Kallas claims the EU will be ready to step into the breach if the US withdraws support for Ukraine, we discuss the latest weapon donations at Ramstein and include a dispatch from Kyiv at a drone workshop.

Contributors:

Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist & narrative podcast producer). @adeliepjz on X.

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

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

Content Referenced:

'Ukraine's Resilience' event co-hosted by Chatham House in Edinburgh:

https://www.chathamhouse.org/events/all/research-event/maintaining-ukraines-resilience

Donald Trump pushes back Ukraine war deadline in sign of support for Kyiv (Financial Times):

https://www.ft.com/content/989dc02e-2a13-4c21-8ad0-0b32e098c410

Scholz blocks new billion-euro package for Ukraine (Der Spiegel):

https://www.spiegel.de/politik/ukraine-krieg-olaf-scholz-blockiert-milliarden-paket-fuer-fuer-kiew-a-15318d4e-bc41-40e1-9a31-1d57409db2d5

Exclusive—Chinese Patents Reveal Aim to Cut Undersea Cables (Newsweek):

https://www.newsweek.com/china-conflict-undersea-cables-cutting-internet-data-subsea-marine-baltic-taiwan-2012396

Exclusive: Border Patrol arrests former Russian mercenary near Roma (Valley Central):

https://www.valleycentral.com/news/local-news/border-patrol-arrests-former-russian-mercenary-near-roma/

Drone Workshop:

For more information, see:

https://klyn.io/

Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: [email protected]

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

Day 1,051.

Today, in a significant day in both the military and political realms, we discuss Trump’s new plans to end the war within the next 100 days, reports that Moscow paid for American and coalition troops killed in Afghanistan, and hear live from Syria.

Contributors:

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

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

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

Svitlana Morenets (Staff Writer at The Spectator). @SvMorenets on X.

Content Referenced:

How Russian military intelligence used the Taliban to bleed U.S. forces at the end of America’s longest war (The Insider):

https://theins.ru/en/politics/277723

Ukraine to help Moldova amid worsening energy crisis (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-to-help-moldova-amid-worsening-energy-crisis/?mc_cid=dfeb4a87a9&mc_eid=08d0680a95

Russia closes Polish Consulate General in St. Petersburg (TVP):

https://tvpworld.com/84418289/russia-closes-polish-consulate-general-in-st-petersburg

Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: [email protected]

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