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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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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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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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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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/

SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

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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

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: [email protected]

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

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

SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

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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

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: [email protected]

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

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

SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

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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

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: [email protected]

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

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

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/07/08/emmanuel-macron-parliament-visit-keir-starmer-king-charles/

Teach children how to catch Russian spies online, MPs told

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/07/09/teach-children-catch-russian-spies-online-mps-told/

Trump said he threatened to bomb Moscow if Putin attacked Ukraine

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/07/08/politics/trump-tape-putin-bomb-fundraiser

SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

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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

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: [email protected]

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

Day 1,231.

Today, we report on the sudden death of Russia’s former transport minister within hours of his sacking by Vladimir Putin. Then we examine Donald Trump’s pledge to resume weapons deliveries to Ukraine and look ahead to President Macron’s visit to the UK. Finally, we hear an updated figure of the number of children kidnapped by Russia, and discuss their fate if the Yale Humanitarian Research Lab closes this autumn amid its funding being pulled.

Contributors:

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

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

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

Nathaniel Raymond (Lecturer & Executive Director Humanitarian Research Lab at Yale School of Public Health) @nattyray11 on X.

Content Referenced:

‘Help the Humanitarian Research Lab Keep Finding Ukraine’s Abducted Children ’:

https://medicine.yale.edu/lab/khoshnood/give-now/

Fired Russian minister ‘kills himself’ (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/07/russian-minister-found-dead-after-being-sacked-by-putin/ 

Trump U-turns on sending weapons to Ukraine (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/08/donald-trump-us-sends-weapons-ukraine/

Russian airlines face $254 million losses from just 2 days of Ukrainian drone strikes, Kremlin media reports (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/drone-disruptions-reportedly-cost-russian-airlines-254-million-exposing-economic-pressure-from-ukraines-campaign-06-2025/ 

SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

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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

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: [email protected]

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

Day 1,230.

Today, as Ukraine was hit over the weekend in Kharkiv, Kherson, Kramatorsk and Kostiantynivka, and Ukraine attacked Russia’s airfields and fleets, we discuss the positive phone call between Trump and Zelensky, and dive into political fractures in Ukraine. Then we speak with Sam Cook about his foundation and the role of history in wartime.

Contributors:

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

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

Sam Cooke (Founder, Borderlands Foundation). @SamuelPNCook on X.

Content Referenced:

Learn More about the Borderlands Foundation:

https://borderlands-foundation.org/

Link to The Ukraine Freedom Summit:

https://ukrainefreedomsummit.org/

Ukraine’s political infighting gets nasty (The Economist):

https://www.economist.com/europe/2025/07/06/ukraines-political-infighting-gets-nasty

Mark Rutte interview in The New York Times:

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/05/magazine/mark-rutte-interview.html  

93rd Brigade Post:

https://x.com/93OMBr1/status/1941134571619393548 

Putin's choice of a long war in Ukraine (Le Monde)

https://www.lemonde.fr/en/opinion/article/2025/07/07/putin-s-choice-of-a-long-war-in-ukraine_6743095_23.html

SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

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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

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: [email protected]

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

Day 1,227.

Today, as Putin and Trump hung up the phones after an hour-long conversation yesterday, Kyiv headed to the shelters for another massive drone and missile attack and a long, sleepless night. This morning, Russia declared that it is ‘not possible’ to achieve their goals through diplomatic means after the phone call. We discuss all these stories, then hear from Dr Jade McGlynn for the latest on resistance in the occupied territories, and talk to a British band who chose to perform in Kyiv.

Contributors:

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

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

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

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

With thanks to Hardwicke Circus.

Content Referenced:

Learn more about the band Hardwicke Circus:

https://www.facebook.com/hardwickecircus/?locale=en_GB 

SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

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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

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: [email protected]

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