Ukraine: The Latest

Day 1,454.

Today, we bring you the latest from Geneva, Switzerland, as a new round of peace talks between Ukraine, Russia and the United States gets underway. What is the diplomatic temperature between Kyiv, Moscow and Washington – and are we any closer to a ceasefire? Meanwhile, as strikes continue on both Ukrainian and Russian territory, we present a special episode focused on the next generation of Ukrainian students: their hopes and aspirations, and how they view the political decisions shaping their country’s future.

Contributors

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

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

Joe Barnes (Brussels Correspondant). @barnes_joe on X.

With thanks to all the voices and representatives from Ukrainian Youth Worldwide, Ukrainian Youth UK, and the Ukrainian Students Union.

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

http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter  

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.

Organisations Referenced In Today’s Episode:

UA Youth: https://uayouth.uk/ 

Headquarters of the Future: https://www.instagram.com/uniting_uayouth_worldwide/ 

Ukrainian Students Union: https://www.usu.global/about

France Association of the Ukrainian students in France: https://etudiantsukrainiens.fr/

Cambridge University Ukrainian Society: https://www.cambridgesu.co.uk/organisation/ukrainian/ 

CONTENT REFERENCED:

‘Facing War’ – the documentary about Jens Stoltenberg:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kgj8pGd6jvo 

UA Youth’s Open Letter:

https://uayouth.uk/diplomats-listen-up-who-will-be-the-next-stoltenberg/ 

For signatures:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeuDD90-PhN1l46nVWqlAkRcXai9muSyG1j2PxzfZYPUm_5CA/viewform 

Robin J Brooks’ Substack – EU transshipments to Russia:

https://robinjbrooks.substack.com/p/eu-transshipments-to-russia 

'We will take action' — Ukraine ramps up fight against illegal gas dealers with online chat bot (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/we-will-take-action-ukraine-ramps-up-fight-against-illegal-gas-dealers-with-online-bot/

Ukraine’s survival still an ‘open question’, Kyiv mayor warns (Financial Times):

https://www.ft.com/content/a140cba5-d36c-47b7-95cb-57218fa5874c 

LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST 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 1,453.

Today, amid fresh Russian bombardments and reports of Ukrainian counter-operations, we step back to assess the broader strategic picture on the battlefield – and ask what 2026 could bring if peace talks collapse. We then report from the Munich Security Conference, where American voices, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, set out competing visions for US involvement in Europe, and Belarus warned about Moscow’s nuclear expansion. Then we cover President Zelensky’s candid remarks, and examine the extraordinary claims from British intelligence that Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was killed with a toxin derived from a frog on the orders of Vladimir Putin.

Contributors

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

Venetia Rainey (Co-host Battle Lines podcast). @venetiarainey on X.

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

Rozina Sabur (National Security Editor). @RozinaSabur on X.

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

http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter  

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:

Putin’s frog poison hit on Navalny reveals his secret chemical weapons (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/02/14/russia-killed-navalny-with-frog-poison-britain-reveals/ 

Kim opens new neighbourhood for families of soldiers killed in Ukraine (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/16/kim-opens-neighbourhood-families-soldiers-killed-ukraine/ 

Putin ‘moving nuclear missiles’ to EU border (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/15/putin-moving-nuclear-missiles-to-eu-border/ 

Nato will strike ‘deep inside Russia’ if Putin hits Baltics (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/16/nato-air-strikes-deep-in-russia-if-putin-hits-baltics/ 

Poland considers building nuclear weapons (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/16/poland-considers-building-nuclear-weapons-russia/ 

Ukraine’s War of Endurance – The Fight for Advantage in the Conflict’s Fifth Year (Michael Kofman in Foreign Affairs):

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/russia/ukraines-war-endurance 

Ukraine struck $100 million Russian Nebo-U radar system in occupied Crimea, General Staff claims (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-says-it-struck-100-million-russian-nebo-u-radar-system-in-occupied-crimea/ 

Ukraine’s survival still an ‘open question’, Kyiv mayor warns (Financial Times):

https://www.ft.com/content/a140cba5-d36c-47b7-95cb-57218fa5874c 

LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST 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 1,450.

Today, as world leaders arrive in Germany for the Munich Security Conference, we report on expectations ahead of this weekend’s gathering and what it could mean for Ukraine and European security. We assess reaction to announcements made at the latest meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (Rammstein), and examine Russia’s move to supply Cuba with oil amid growing geopolitical tensions. Plus, we bring you our regular update on resistance activities in the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine, and speak to the writer of a new London stage play exploring the war in the Donbas region.

Contributors

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

Lily Shanagher (Foreign Reporter). @LilyShanagher on X.

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

AdéliePojzman-Pontay (Journalist and Producer). @adeliepjzon X.

With thanks to Illia Riepin and Olga Braga (Ukrainian playwright and director). @EveryTheatre on X.

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

http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter  

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:

Learn more about the Donbas play:

https://theatre503.com/whats-on/donbas/ 

Zelensky Makes His Pitch to Trump (The Atlantic):

https://www.theatlantic.com/national-security/2026/02/zelensky-trump-peace-deal-ukraine-russia/685972/ 

LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST 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 1,449.

Today, as Ukraine’s security services claim responsibility for the longest-range strike yet on Russian oil and gas infrastructure since the start of the full-scale invasion, we examine reports of a surge in Russian army casualties and what that could mean for Vladimir Putin’s war effort. Then we bring you the latest from the NATO summit in Brussels, where allies are discussing military support for Ukraine and European security, before returning to the escalating controversy at the Winter Olympics, where Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych has been disqualified over his “Helmet of Memory” tribute to Ukrainian athletes killed in the war.

Contributors

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

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

Jeremy Wilson (Chief Sports Reporter). @JWTelegraph on X.

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

http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter  

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:

Zelensky accuses Olympics of ‘playing into Russia’s hands’ after Ukraine athlete disqualified (Jeremy in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/winter-olympics/2026/02/12/winter-olympics-2026-ukrainian-skeleton-helmet-ioc/ 

Halyna Klepikovska: participation in the International Cultural Programme of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympics:

https://www.halynaklepikovska.com/post/movement-as-a-form-of-thinking

Russian army casualties in Ukraine surge (Financial Times):

https://www.ft.com/content/ce74d2d8-5562-4e6d-9e5f-041b017b5d39

SBU sends text warning Russians are trying to recruit Ukrainians to register Starlink terminals (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/sbu-sends-messages-to-holders-of-ukrainian-phone-numbers-warning-russians-trying-to-recruit-ukrainians-to-register-block-starlink-terminals

LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST 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 1,448.

Today, we assess where things stand after mixed messaging has left Kyiv, Moscow and Western capitals confused over whether President Zelensky will use the fourth anniversary of Russia’s  invasion to announce presidential elections or a referendum on a possible peace deal. We report on Russia’s fury over the reported Starlink switch-off, a communications crisis compounded by the Kremlin’s tightening restrictions on Telegram, and continue to follow the Olympic controversy surrounding Ukraine’s so-called “Helmet of Memory”. Later, we hear the latest analysis from our Russia-watcher.

Contributors

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

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

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

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

http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter  

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:

Zelensky plans presidential elections and peace deal referendum (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/11/zelensky-presidential-elections-peace-deal-referendum/ 

Ukrainian athletes defy IOC and double down in helmet protest against Russia (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/winter-olympics/2026/02/09/ukrainian-athlete-vladyslav-heraskevych-anti-russian-helmet/

Behind the Guns: Western Tools, Russian Firepower (Front Intelligence):

https://frontelligence.substack.com/p/behind-the-guns-western-tools-russian

Chris O Starlink thread on X:

https://x.com/ChrisO_wiki/status/2021280155713294590?s=20

Zelensky won't announce elections on war anniversary amid talks of US-driven timeline, source says (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-wont-announce-elections-on-invasion-anniversary/

Zelenskyy planning elections in Ukraine and vote on peace deal (Financial Times):

https://www.ft.com/content/50d3d86b-2d2a-4d06-845e-a4e089382cad

Elections in Ukraine — a guide for beginners (and US Presidents) (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/a-beginners-guide-to-elections-in-ukraine-also-suitable-for-us-presidents/

The Belarusian woman at the center of Epstein’s final days (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/the-belarusian-woman-at-the-center-of-epsteins-final-days/?mc_cid=a5562b6d52&mc_eid=4a5b852913

LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST 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 1,447.

Today, amid growing rumours that Ukraine may be preparing a new counteroffensive, we discuss how the Kremlin is attempting to play down expectations and undermine confidence in the ongoing peace talks. We then report on Japan’s move to join the PURL initiative, examine a diplomatic row that has erupted at the Winter Olympics, and sit down with Romania’s Foreign Minister, Oana Țoiu, to hear how the war in Ukraine is being viewed from Bucharest, on NATO and the EU’s eastern flank.

Contributors

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

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

With thanks to Oana Țoiu, Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs. @oana_toiu on X.

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

http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter  

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:

Zelensky backs athlete banned from wearing helmet bearing faces of war victims (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/winter-olympics/2026/02/09/ukrainian-athlete-vladyslav-heraskevych-anti-russian-helmet/ 

Russia bombs Ukrainian pet shelter (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/06/russia-bombs-ukrainian-pet-shelter/ 

How to keep an elephant and a gorilla warm during Kyiv's coldest winter of the full-scale war (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/animals-some-first-how-kyiv-zoo-protects-life-through-the-darkest-winter-of-war/?mc_cid=9ff030f3ca&mc_eid=08d0680a95 

Kenya to confront Russia over 'unacceptable' use of its nationals in combat (BBC):

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0k1jzvrykro?xtor=AL-71-

LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST 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 1,446.

Today, in a rare public outburst against the Trump administration, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accuses the United States of “backtracking” on the so-called Anchorage Agreement, under which Washington allegedly agreed to pressure Ukraine into ceding parts of the Donbas that Russian forces have failed to capture after nearly four years of war. We examine President Zelensky’s comments suggesting that a new White House peace deadline may be linked to Donald Trump’s US midterm election campaign, and report on how Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is seeking to leverage the war in Ukraine to shore up domestic political support. And later, we speak to the former commander of US forces in Europe, retired Lieutenant General Ben Hodges, about the state of the war and how prepared Europe and NATO are for a potential Russian move on the Suwałki Gap.

Contributors

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

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

With thanks to Lieutenant General (Retired) Ben Hodges (former commander of US forces in Europe). @general_ben on X.

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

http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter  

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:

A small Russian force could break Nato, it’s being said. As a US general, here’s my take (Ben Hodges in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/02/05/russian-wargame-nato-defeat-suwalki-gap-general-ben/ 

Russia offered US £9tn co-operation deal, Zelensky says (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/07/us-gives-june-deadline-peace-ukraine-russia/ 

Would the US military obey Trump on Greenland? US General Ben Hodges answers (Battle Lines episode):

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

The German wargame (Die Welt):

https://www.welt.de/politik/ausland/article6984a7189d88d6e920be111f/ernstfall-podcast-wargame-exposes-gaps-in-germanys-response-to-a-hypothetical-russian-attack-on-lithuania.html 

Russia accuses US of backing out of alleged Ukraine territory surrender agreement (The Telegraph):

https://kyivindependent.com/russia-accuses-us-of-backing-out-of-alleged-ukraine-surrender-agreement/ 

Washington Post GoFundMe:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-washington-post-international-employees 

LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST 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 1,443.

Today, after an apparent assassination attempt on a senior Russian general in Moscow, we examine the major Russian bombardments across Ukraine that followed the second day of peace talks in Abu Dhabi. Are the United States, Ukraine, and Russia any closer to a ceasefire? We then hear from an NGO delivering vital humanitarian supplies to Ukraine’s frontline cities, and speak to the head of a hospital in President Zelensky’s hometown.

Contributors

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

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

With thanks to Brock Bierman of the NGO Ukraine Focus, and Vitality Gorba-linsky.

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

http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter  

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:

Learn more about Ukraine Focus:

https://ukrainefocus.org/ 

Russian general who ‘orchestrated’ Skripal poisoning shot in Moscow (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/06/russian-general-vladimir-alekseyev-shot-moscow/ 

Macron wants Britain to pay up to £2bn to join Ukraine weapons scheme (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/05/macron-wants-uk-pay-up-to-2bn-eu-ukraine-weapons-scheme/ 

Mother of Kenyan forced to be a Russian suicide bomber ‘traumatised’ (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/05/mother-kenyan-tricked-human-bomb-trauma/ 

Nuclear pact relies on ‘handshake’ after US-Russia treaty expires (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/05/nuclear-pact-relies-handshake-us-russia-treaty-expires/ 

Revealed: Russia’s secret $2.5bn cash shipments to Iran (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/06/revealed-russias-secret-25bn-cash-shipments-to-iran/ 

Pentagon invites 2 Ukrainian drone makers to 'The Gauntlet' (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/pentagon-invites-2-ukrainian-drone-makers-to-the-gauntlet-1-1-billion-in-contracts-at-stake/?mc_cid=1d62a63d34&mc_eid=08d0680a95 

Russia destroyed 60% of Ukraine’s gas production—so where does Ukraine get gas now? (Euromaidan):

https://euromaidanpress.com/2026/02/05/russia-destroyed-ukraine-gas-production-what-replaced-it/

Italy foils 'Russian cyber-attacks' at Winter Games (BBC):

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/cqj25wyjx1no

LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST 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 1,442.

Today, as reports suggest Russian troops are in turmoil across the frontline after being denied access to Starlink satellite communications, we return to Abu Dhabi for the latest developments in the ongoing trilateral peace talks between the United States, Ukraine, and Russia. We then hear live from Kyiv with firsthand reactions and descriptions of the situation on the ground, before turning to the Russian press for insight into the state of Russia’s economy – and an extraordinary story about Moscow’s efforts to turn pigeons into drones.

Contributors

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

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

Antonia Langford (Journalist in Kyiv). @antonialford on X.

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

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

http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter  

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:

Russia spends half its state budget on military (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/04/russia-spent-half-its-state-budget-on-military-in-2025/ 

How Russia uses neural chips to turn live pigeons into drones (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/04/russia-implants-chips-spy-pigeons-brains-cyborgs-war/ 

The last foreign correspondent to file from a war zone via carrier pigeon (Airmail):

https://airmail.news/issues/2024-7-27/the-view-from-here 

Record-breaking Russian strikes during peace negotiations (Centre for Information Resilience):

https://www.info-res.org/eyes-on-russia/articles/record-breaking-russian-strikes-during-peace-negotiations/ 

Sanctions having ‘significant impact’ on Russian economy, says EU special envoy (The Guardian):

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/feb/05/sanctions-significant-impact-russian-economy-interview-eu-special-envoy-david-osullivan 

Keith Kellogg says he left Trump's White House to be 'free to talk' about Ukraine (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/keith-kellogg-says-he-left-trumps-white-house-to-be-free-to-talk-about-ukraine/ 

Russia claims US 'ignored' offers to extend nuclear arms control agreement as key treaty set to expire (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/russia-claims-us-ignored-offers-to-extend-nuclear-arms-control-agreement-as-treaty-set-to-expire/

LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST 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 1,441.

Today, as Donald Trump claims Vladimir Putin has “kept his word” by not striking Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, we report on the resumption of trilateral peace talks in Abu Dhabi involving the US, Ukraine, and Russia. We examine whether French President Emmanuel Macron’s call for Europeans to “restore their own channels of communication” with Moscow will deliver any tangible results, and assess whether the recent drop in the price of gold could weaken Putin’s war economy. And later, we speak to Sir Bill Browder about Europe’s continued failure to seize and use frozen Russian state assets to fund Ukraine’s war effort, the significance of the €90 billion loan agreed in Brussels instead. Is it enough?

Contributors

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

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

With thanks to Sir Bill Browder. @Billbrowder on X.

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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:

The gold bubble has financed Putin’s war machine – but that may be over (Ambrose Evans Pritchard in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2026/02/03/gold-bubble-financed-vladimir-putins-war-machine-over/

German warships ‘sabotaged by workers’ (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/03/german-warships-sabotaged-workers-hamburg-port/

For Peace, More Ukrainians Consider the Once Unthinkable: Surrendering Land

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/world/europe/ukraine-russia-war-donbas-region.html

LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST 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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