Ukraine: The Latest

Day 1,357.

Today, the battle for Pokrovsk continues to rage on with 300 Russian soldiers now in the city, pressing forward to the north. We discuss the corruption probe in Ukraine targeting one of Zelensky’s close allies and how it led to the president’s debacle over the summer when he tried to curtail Ukraine’s two anti-corruption agencies. Finally, we zoom in on Lavrov’s disappearance from the public eye in the last couple of weeks and on the patterns of drone incursions across Europe these past two months. Note: an earlier version of this episode stated that a probe was looking into Ukraine's Chief Anti-Corruption Prosecutor. It is instead investigating his deputy, Andryi Synyuk.

Contributors

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

Memphis Barker (Senior Foreign Correspondent). @memphisbarker on X

Roland Oliphant (Chief Foreign Analyst). @RolandOliphant on X

Joe Barnes (Brussels Correspondent). @Barnes_Joe 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:

‘We are losing Pokrovsk’: Russia nears biggest gain since 2023, The Telegraph

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/11/11/pokrovsk-ukraine-russia-gain-volodymyr-zelensky-gen-syrskyi/

Who is Timur Mindich, Zelensky's secretive associate at the center of a major corruption probe?, Kyiv Independent

https://kyivindependent.com/who-is-timur-mindich/?mc_cid=721276d3ca&mc_eid=4a5b852913

Where’s Sergei Lavrov? Rumours swirl over the fate of Putin’s foreign affairs enforcer, The Telegraph

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/11/10/the-rumours-swirling-over-the-fate-of-sergei-lavrov/

Mapped: Russia’s new drone war against Europe, The Telegraph

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/11/11/mapped-russia-new-drone-war-against-europe/

Poppies and cornflowers became symbols of November 11 thanks to women forgotten by history, Le Monde

https://www.lemonde.fr/en/m-le-mag/article/2025/11/11/poppies-and-cornflowers-became-symbols-of-november-11-thanks-to-women-forgotten-by-history_6747339_117.html

The Poppy Lady, The Story of Madame Anna Guérin and the Remembrance Poppy

https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-Poppy-Lady-Hardback/p/21829

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: [email protected]

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Day 1,356

Today, after weekend strikes on energy facilities in both countries left blackouts in Russia and Ukraine, we report how Moscow now seems to be deliberately targeting Ukrainian nuclear plants well away from the front line, how Britain is sending military personnel to defend Belgian skies, and later we have an interview with Dr Jack Watling, Senior Research Fellow for Land Warfare at the Royal United Services Institute, in which he describes Ukraine’s adaptation of battlefield tactics.

Contributors

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

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

With thanks to Dr Jack Watling, Senior Research Fellow for Land Warfare at the Royal United Services Institute. @Jack_Watling 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:

Dr Jack Watling's New RUSI Report - 'Emergent Approaches to Combined Arms Manoeuvre in Ukraine':

https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/insights-papers/emergent-approaches-combined-arms-manoeuvre-ukraine

Pokrovsk: Where Putin Shattered His Teeth

https://cepa.org/article/pokrovsk-where-putin-shattered-his-teeth/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

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 1,353.

Today, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban visits President Trump in Washington, a few weeks after the collapse of the Budapest meeting with Russia. Meanwhile, we look at reports claiming that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov may have fallen out of favour with President Putin, and the UN Commission of Inquiry accuses Russia of committing crimes against humanity and torture. Finally, our regular contributor Jade McGlynn shares the latest

Contributors

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

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

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

United Nations Human Rights Council: Independent International Commission of Inquiry report

https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2025/11/commission-visits-kyiv-reiterating-its-findings?sub-site=HRC

Orbán to visit US to try to broker another Putin summit but questions raised over motives

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/nov/07/orban-hungary-white-house-visit-trump

What’s the truth about South Africa’s ‘genocide’ of white farmers?

https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/whats-the-truth-about-south-africas-genocide-of-white-farmers/

Fact-checking Trump’s claims of white farmer ‘genocide’ in South Africa

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/fact-checking-trumps-claims-of-white-farmer-genocide-in-south-africa

South Africa crime statistics debunk 'white genocide' claims - minister

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgr5xe7z0y0o

Is there a genocide of white South Africans as Trump claims?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9wg5pg1xp5o

Killing of White Farmer Becomes a Flash Point in South Africa

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/16/world/africa/South-Africa-murder-protests.html

‘Kill the Boer’ Song Fuels Backlash in South Africa and U.S.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/02/world/africa/south-africa-kill-boer-song.html

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Day 1,352.

Today, as more and more Russian forces flow into Pokrovsk, Ukrainian soldiers manage to fly a Ukraine flag on the city council’s building. Ukraine also scrambles to put together a new budget for next year, while Zelensky faces harsh criticism after the announcement of relief packages ahead of winter. We hear reports of how Russia is sending disabled men to fight and wonder if the cannon fodder strategy is reaching an end.

Contributors

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

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

Verity Bowman (Journalist). @VerityBowman on X.

With thanks to Albina Kovalyova, @agent_Alka 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:

Kharkiv War Diaries: Stories from a City on the Edge

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlrrWx3hBek

Kharkiv: Love in a War Zone

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3ct82ky

Occupied, 2022

https://www.albinakovalyova.com/work/documentary/

'Catastrophic populism:' Critics push back against Zelensky's winter support package for Ukrainians

https://kyivindependent.com/catastrophic-populism-critics-push-back-against-zelenskys-winter-support-package-for-ukrainians/?mc_cid=1d6cb51478&mc_eid=4a5b852913

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: [email protected]

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

Day 1,351.

Today, as reports from Pokrovsk indicate Russian troops now hold positions across nearly the entire city, prosecutors in Kharkiv launch a new war crimes investigation after footage emerged of an alleged Russian FPV drone strike on two civilians carrying a white flag near Kharkiv. We also examine today’s Joint Expeditionary Force meeting in Norway – asking whether it’s wise for the group to brand itself as “NATO’s first responders” – before doing a deep dive into recent cases of Ukrainian and Russian spycraft. Later, we speak with the commander of a Ukrainian drone unit who helped destroy Russian forces following the so-called “breakthrough” in Dobropillya.

Contributors

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

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

With thanks to Dimko Zhluktenko.

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 Dimko’s charity, Dzyga’s Paw:

https://dzygaspaw.com/ 

Dom’s story on MI5 chief’s warnings (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/10/16/sir-ken-mccallum-mi5-china-spy-scandal-national-security/ 

The Ukrainian double-agent playing Russia at its own game (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/11/01/ukraine-russia-war-double-agent-security-services/ 

A champion like no other: The curious life of a Unit 29155 operative (The Insider):

https://theins.ru/en/inv/286477 

Russia moves to year-round conscription from 2026 (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/putin-signs-law-allowing-year-round-conscription-in-russia/?mc_cid=fb29c7d440&mc_eid=08d0680a95 

Is there a risk of encirclement in Pokrovsk and what awaits Myrnohrad? Soldiers explain (Hromadske):

https://hromadske.ua/en/war/254005-ti-khto-v-pokrovsku-na-peredovykh-pozytsiiakh-vze-v-pryntsypi-v-otochenni-z-iakoho-malo-shansiv-vyyty 

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: [email protected]

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Day 1,350.

Today, as fierce fighting continues around Pokrovsk and Ukrainian forces strike energy facilities inside Russia, we report on a surge in American surveillance flights over the Black Sea – coinciding with the arrival of Washington’s Ambassador to NATO in Kyiv. We also examine Ukraine’s claim to have hit an elite Russian special forces unit stationed on a Black Sea oil platform, and speak with sanctions expert Stephanie Baker, who explains why Donald Trump’s sanctions on Russian oil giants Lukoil and Rosneft are so significant.

Contributors

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

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

With thanks to Stephanie Baker (Senior Writer at Bloomberg). @StephaniBaker 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:

Stephanie Baker’s Book, ‘Punishing Putin: ‘The gripping expose of the global economic sanctions against Russia’s war in Ukraine’:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Punishing-Putin-gripping-economic-sanctions-ebook/dp/B0CWWFJ52G

Ukraine rescues camel used by Russian military (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/30/ukraine-rescues-camel-used-by-russian-military/ 

Ukraine ‘strikes elite Russian unit’ on Black Sea oil rig (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/11/03/ukraine-strikes-elite-russian-unit-on-black-sea-oil-rig/ 

Putin’s shadow fleet under threat as Trump tries to ‘terrify’ Russia’s allies (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/11/04/putins-shadow-fleet-runs-aground-against-us-sanctions/ 

Russian Oil Finds Fewer Takes in China After Hit From Sanctions (Bloomberg):

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-11-02/russian-oil-finds-fewer-takers-in-china-after-hit-from-sanctions 

Kramatorsk, Donetsk Oblast's iconic front-line rail stop, closed for 'indefinite period' (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/key-train-route-to-ukraines-east-has-been-reduced-for-an-indefinite-period-due-to-safety-concerns/ 

Intense US surveillance activity over the Black Sea (ItaMilRadar):

https://www.itamilradar.com/2025/11/03/intense-us-surveillance-activity-over-the-black-sea/

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: [email protected]

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

Day 1,349.

Today, as reports emerge that General Budanov, head of Ukraine’s military intelligence, travelled to the embattled frontline city of Pokrovsk, we sit down with former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who led the alliance in the first years of the full-scale invasion. We also speak with Norwegian filmmaker Tommy Gulliksen about his powerful new documentary Facing War – which takes viewers inside the rooms where Stoltenberg and world leaders made pivotal decisions that shaped the course of the conflict.

Contributors

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

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

With thanks to former NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg. @jensstoltenbergdocumentary 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 ‘Facing War’ - new film about Jens Stoltenberg by Tommy Gulliksen:

https://m.imdb.com/title/tt35671816/ 

Ukraine special forces launch helicopter raid to stop Russian encirclement (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/11/01/ukraine-special-forces-helicopter-assault-pokrovsk/ 

Draft dodger who jumped from moving train faces deportation to Russia (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/11/01/draft-dodger-who-jumped-moving-train-deportation-russia/ 

Russia deploys 170,000 troops in battle for Pokrovsk (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/31/russia-deploys-170000-troops-battle-pokrovsk/ 

‘How to Negotiate with Putin’ by Robert Person (Journal of Democracy):

https://www.journalofdemocracy.org/online-exclusive/how-to-negotiate-with-putin/ 

Zelensky Is Winning Trump Voters Over (Wall Street Journal):

https://www.wsj.com/opinion/zelensky-is-winning-trump-voters-over-72d5f6c1?reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink 

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: [email protected]

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

Day 1,346.

Today, as Ukrainian forces hang on in Pokrovsk, we discuss more reports coming out of the city of Russian troops fighting in civilian clothes – a clear war crime. Plus, we hear about Ukraine’s latest long range strikes inside Russia and look at a worrying message from the International Atomic Energy Agency that accuses Moscow of targeting three of Ukraine's nuclear power plants. Later, we hear how a Ukrainian opera lost for 250 years premiered earlier this month in Chernivtsi, accompanied by the sound of air alerts.

Contributors:

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

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

With thanks to Nataliya Lukyanova and James Butterwick

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

https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/  

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:

Russian soldiers disguised in civilian clothes infiltrating front-line city (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/08/13/russian-soldiers-disguised-civilian-clothing-infiltrating/

Poland, Hungary and Slovakia defy Brussels as Ukraine trade deal takes effect (POLITICO)

https://www.politico.eu/article/poland-hungary-and-slovakia-defy-brussels-as-ukraine-trade-deal-takes-effect/

Trump-Vladimir Putin Budapest summit axed following Moscow memo (Financial Times):

https://www.ft.com/content/d6655fb1-31af-4da8-85f7-085a8fc00969

Hungary’s foot-dragging on Russian oil crashes into reality

https://www.politico.eu/article/hungary-foot-dragging-russian-oil-crashes-reality-croatia-sanction/ 

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 1,345.

Today, as Donald Trump and Xi Jinping meet in South Korea, we ask whether Ukraine can ever expect China to face real consequences for its support of Russia throughout the war. We also examine Vladimir Putin’s ongoing air campaign to cripple Ukraine’s energy infrastructure – including last night’s major assault – and bring you the latest stories from inside the Russian Federation, from renewed public protests to fresh signs of deepening economic stagnation.

Contributors:

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

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

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

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

https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/  

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.

WATCH OUR SPECIAL LIVE EPISODE

Francis’s Interview with Serhii Plokhy on the nuclear arms race:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmcJqyD8eXs

Apple: https://shorturl.at/Hq3la 

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7oSVN1czV0hqnvi0fAomea 

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Trump orders Pentagon to ‘immediately’ start testing nuclear weapons (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2025/10/30/trump-nuclear-weapons-testing-russia-poseidon-drone/ 

Donald Trump claims victory after ‘amazing’ trade talks with Xi Jinping (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2025/10/30/trump-xi-meeting-south-korea-trade-war/ 

Geert Wilders’ Dutch PM hopes in tatters (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/29/geert-wilders-hopes-of-becoming-dutch-pm-in-tatters/ 

Exploding Shahed drone toys sold to Russian children (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/30/exploding-toy-replicas-of-drones-sold-to-children-russia/ 

Ukraine is bracing for the harshest winter since 2022 (Tomorrow’s Affairs):

https://tomorrowsaffairs.com/ukraine-is-bracing-for-the-harshest-winter-since-2022 

Red hands and pig heads: Russia’s plan to destabilize France goes on trial (POLITICO):

https://www.politico.eu/article/red-hands-and-pig-heads-russias-plan-to-destabilize-france-goes-on-trial/

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

Day 1,344.

Today, as the situation around the frontline city of Pokrovsk continues to worsen, we examine Ukraine’s latest wave of deep strikes targeting Russia’s military infrastructure. Then we turn to Brussels, where frustration mounts after European nations failed to agree on how to unlock frozen Russian assets to support Kyiv’s war effort. Then we hear about the motorway some believe could save NATO from Vladimir Putin’s aggression.

Contributors:

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

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

David Blair (Chief Foreign Affairs Commentator). @davidblairdt on X.

WATCH OUR SPECIAL LIVE EPISODE

Link here: https://youtu.be/Mw_lWhp-flU

Questions from the audience are answered in the podcast version, below:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/special-putin-could-strike-london-in-90-minutes-russias/id1612424182?i=1000733450202 

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7DKehIQCz24eKK73xjP2e8 

Content Referenced:

Battle Lines: Global Health Security episode on bioweapons:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/terror-and-security/battle-lines-global-health-security-podcast/ 

The motorway that could save Nato from Putin’s aggression (David Blair in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/10/27/motorway-save-nato-putin-aggression/ 

US to Remove Brigade From Romania, Sources Tell Kyiv Post (Kyiv Post):

https://www.kyivpost.com/post/63159 

U.S. intelligence agencies see no sign Russia is ready to compromise on Ukraine (NBC):

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/us-intelligence-agencies-see-no-sign-russia-ready-compromise-ukraine-rcna239645 

A Russian Ka-52 helicopter shot down by "friendly fire” (The Insider):

https://theins.ru/news/286277 

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