Ukraine: The Latest

Day 1,343.

Today, as the fierce battle for Pokrovsk rages on – with Russian troops now inside the city and 15 armoured vehicles destroyed on its outskirts – we report on the dramatic destruction of a dam in Russia that has cut off Moscow’s forces inside Ukraine. Later, we speak to one of the leading architects behind the Western initiative to seize $300 billion in frozen Russian state assets, exploring how close this unprecedented move is to becoming reality – and what it could mean for the future of the war.

Contributors:

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

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

With thanks to campaigner, journalist and entrepreneur Hugo Dixon.

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:

Ukraine floods Russian troops in dam strike (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/27/russian-troops-cut-off-flooding-ukraine-hits-belgorod-dam/ 

Inside Ukraine’s fortress belt, where Nato doctrine no longer applies (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/27/trump-freeze-frontlines-trouble-ukraine/ 

Western drones are underwhelming on the Ukrainian battlefield (The Economist):

https://www.economist.com/europe/2025/10/23/western-drones-are-underwhelming-on-the-ukrainian-battlefield 

Russian army committing murder in Ukraine: Independent rights commission (UN report):

https://www.ohchr.org/en/hr-bodies/hrc/iicihr-ukraine/reports/report-independent-international-commission-inquiry-ukraine-un-general-assembly-a80497

Kyiv wants to cash in on OnlyFans creators’ unpaid taxes. There’s just one problem: making porn is illegal in Ukraine (Meduza):

https://meduza.io/en/feature/2025/10/08/turning-me-into-a-criminal 

Ukraine's OnlyFans Paradox: Tax the Sin, Punish the Sinner (Iuliia Mendel’s Substack):

https://iuliiamendel.substack.com/p/ukraines-onlyfans-paradox-tax-the 

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Day 1,342.

Today, after a weekend of Russian bombardments on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities – with fires killing multiple civilians – we examine Moscow’s failed diplomatic bid to block Donald Trump’s latest sanctions on Russian energy. Then we consider how Vladimir Putin’s unveiling of a “next-generation” cruise missile reveals growing unease in the Kremlin. Later, we sit down with Ukrainian historian Serhii Plokhy, to discuss the Cold War arms race, and how Kyiv could have retained nuclear weapons after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Please note this episode features distressing recordings from the bombardment on Kyiv, including sounds of incoming drones.

Contributors:

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

With thanks to Ukrainian historian Serhii Plokhy. @SPlokhy 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 

LINKS

Serhii Plokhy’s new book, ‘The Nuclear Age: An Epic Race for Arms, Power and Survival’:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nuclear-Age-Epic-Power-Survival/dp/0241582865 

‘Will I die?’ Moment nursery children rescued after Russian strike (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/25/will-i-die-moment-nursery-children-rescued-russian-strike/ 

Russia’s latest attempt to woo the US reeks of desperation (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/27/kirill-dmitriev-russia-donald-trump-marco-rubio-putin/ 

Russians circling around Trump to sway his mind, warns key ally (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/25/russians-circling-around-trump-to-sway-his-mind-key-ally/ 

At least 250 Russians in Pokrovsk, Ukrainian troops walk 10-15 km to reach positions (Ukrainska Pravda):

https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/10/24/8004333/ 

Europe’s Plan B for Ukraine (POLITICO):

https://www.politico.eu/newsletter/brussels-playbook/Europes-Plan-B-for-Ukraine/

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In this special live episode recorded at the Honourable Artillery Company in London, we take stock of the war as it grinds into its fourth calendar year. 

Joined by General Sir Richard Barrons – former head of UK Joint Forces Command and co-author of Britain’s Strategic Defence Review – and Orysia Lutsevych OBE – head of the Ukraine Forum at Chatham House – hosts Dom Nicholls, Francis Dearnley, and Adélie Pojzman-Pontay debate the state of the conflict, Donald Trump’s renewed deadlines and ultimatums, and why Vladimir Putin shows no sign of negotiating peace in good faith.

Then we take questions from the audience.

As bombs continue to devastate Ukrainian cities and Europe’s “Coalition of the Willing” struggles for credibility, we ask: where next for the war and for European security? With the post-1945 security order collapsing, this timely discussion helps make sense of a shifting geopolitical era – and considers the challenges facing Western societies and reserve forces, such as the Honourable Artillery Company, in the years ahead.

You can also watch this episode on The Telegraph YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/Mw_lWhp-flU 

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.

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

Day 1,339.

Today, as President Zelensky meets the Coalition of the Willing in London, we discuss the shock felt in Brussels after European countries failed to come to a deal on the use of frozen Russian assets. We also hear the latest updates on the Ukrainian resistance, and Francis reports not from the frontline but the front row, as he attends a Ukrainian fashion show.

Contributors:

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

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

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

With thanks to Illia Riepin and the Estonian Embassy of London.

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:

Francis’s Article on Ukrainian Fashion:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/people/ukraine-fashion-show-london-war-francis-dearnley/ 

EU’s €140bn Ukraine loan plan derailed (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/24/belgium-derails-european-union-plans-ukraine-loan/

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]

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Day 1,338.

Today, as Donald Trump unveils sweeping new sanctions on Russia’s energy giants, we analyse what recent developments reveal about the shifting power dynamics between Moscow and Washington. We also investigate an alleged Russian war crime in Donetsk and what it exposes about the brutal nature of the fighting there, before exploring why NATO nations continue to pour vast resources into tank production and modernisation.

Contributors:

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

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

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

Hamish de Bretton-Gordon (Chemical Weapons Expert and former Tank Commander). @hamishdbg 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:

Trump’s sanctions put him on a warpath with Russia, says Medvedev (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2025/10/22/trump-russia-oil-sanctions-putin/ 

Bodies strewn across Pokrovsk reveal horror of Russian war crimes (Memphis Barker in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/22/bodies-strewn-pokrovsk-horror-russian-war-crimes-ukraine/ 

The man with the worst job in Ukraine (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/23/man-with-worst-job-in-ukraine/ 

Russian commander ordered troops to shoot Ukrainian civilians near Pokrovsk, radio intercept suggests (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/russian-commander-ordered-troops-to-kill-civilians-in-pokrovsk-hur-intercepted-call-says/ 

U.S. Lifts Key Restriction on Ukraine’s Use of European Long-Range Missiles (Wall Street Journal):

https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/u-s-lifts-key-restriction-on-ukraines-use-of-western-long-range-missiles-5a15c12d?mod=author_content_page_1_pos_1 

How tanks are evolving in Ukraine (New York Times):

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/09/08/world/europe/ukraine-russia-war-drones-tanks-military.html

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Day 1,337.

Today, after Vladimir Putin defied Donald Trump to wreck the proposed Budapest peace talks, we report how overnight attacks ended with children having to be evacuated from a burning kindergarten in Kharkiv after it was hit in a Russian drone strike. Plus, British-supplied Storm Shadow cruise missiles hit their targets in Russia and, later, we hear about how for civilians in Ukraine, learning the specific sound of drones can be a matter of life or death… and how their buzzing can stay with survivors a long time after the attack.

Please note, this episode features real sounds of drones from the frontline.

Contributors:

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

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

Kieran Kelly (Foreign Reporter).

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 defies Trump to wreck Ukraine peace talks (Connor Stringer and Joe Barnes in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2025/10/21/trump-no-longer-plans-meet-putin-hungary 

Ukraine strikes Russia with British Storm Shadow missiles (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/22/british-storm-shadow-missiles-strike-russia-chemical-plant/ 

Germany wants to use Iceland as a logistics base for the Navy (Hartpunkt):

https://www.hartpunkt.de/pistorius-sieht-island-als-logistik-basis-fuer-die-marine/ 

Europe and Ukraine Prepare 12-Point Proposal to End Russia’s War, Bloomberg

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-10-21/europe-and-ukraine-prepare-12-point-proposal-to-end-russia-s-war

Russia’s Lvova-Belova Admits to Kidnapping Ukrainian Orphan to Russia Despite His Resistance

https://united24media.com/latest-news/russias-lvova-belova-admits-to-kidnapping-ukrainian-orphan-to-russia-despite-his-resistance-12679

The War of Sound, The Telegraph

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/The-War-of-Sound/

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Day 1,336.

Today, amid growing signs the planned Trump-Putin summit in Hungary is already in jeopardy, we assess a breakthrough in Europe that could see finally frozen Russian state assets loaned to Ukraine. Then we uncover disturbing accounts revealing the dire state of Russia’s armed forces, and bring you the latest stories from Moscow as the economy continues to display signs of fracture.

Contributors:

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

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

Verity Bowman (Reporter). @VerityBowman on X.

James Kilner (Former Telegraph Russia Correspondant). @jkjourno on X.

MORE TICKETS JUST RELEASED FOR 'UKRAINE: THE LATEST' LIVE, IN-PERSON:

Join us for an in-person discussion and Q&A at the distinguished Honourable Artillery Company in London on 22nd October starting at 7pm.

Our panel includes General Sir Richard Barrons, former head of UK Joint Forces Command and latterly one of the authors of Britain’s Strategic Defence Review, and Orysia Lutsevych, head of the Ukraine Forum at the Chatham House think tank. Tickets are open to everybody and can be purchased at: https://www.squadup.com/events/ukrainelive

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Putin ‘should only be allowed to travel to Hungary if he agrees to a ceasefire’ (The Telegraph): 

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/20/putin-travel-hungary-if-he-agrees-ceasefire-russia-ukraine/

How Putin could reach Hungary peace summit without being shot down or arrested (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/17/putin-route-to-budapest-summit/ 

Trapped on the Dnipro, Putin’s troops tried to flee by boat — and were blown apart (Verity Bowman in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/21/russia-putin-dnipro-river-troops-boat-ukraine/

Russian troops handcuffed to trees and left for dead after defying orders (Verity Bowman in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/17/russian-troops-handcuffed-left-for-dead-refusing-orders/ 

Putin sends squads of sick soldiers into Pokrovsk ‘meat grinder’ (Verity Bowman in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/terror-and-security/putin-sends-squads-of-sick-soldiers-into-pokrovsk-meat-grin/ 

EU closes in on deal to use Russian frozen assets to fund Ukraine (POLITICO):

https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-deal-russian-frozen-assets-ukraine-loan-belgium/ 

US is stalling on G7 plan over Russian assets (Bloomberg):

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-10-20/us-is-stalling-on-g-7-plan-to-expand-use-of-russian-assets

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

Day 1,335.

Today, as the world digests the outcome of the White House meeting between Presidents Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky, we examine why the lack of progress on Tomahawk missiles caught many observers off guard. We also explore the significance – if any – of Trump’s planned talks with Vladimir Putin in Budapest, widely seen as part of the Kremlin’s strategy to stall for time. Plus, we report on another slow weekend at the front, continued Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil and gas facilities, and hear from a leading professor on what it would take to achieve a genuine breakthrough in peace negotiations.

Contributors:

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

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

With thanks to Professor Robert Person (Non-Resident Senior Fellow in the Foreign Policy Research Institute's Eurasia Program). @RTPerson3 on X.

MORE TICKETS JUST RELEASED FOR 'UKRAINE: THE LATEST' LIVE, IN-PERSON:

Join us for an in-person discussion and Q&A at the distinguished Honourable Artillery Company in London on 22nd October starting at 7pm.

Our panel includes General Sir Richard Barrons, former head of UK Joint Forces Command and latterly one of the authors of Britain’s Strategic Defence Review, and Orysia Lutsevych, head of the Ukraine Forum at the Chatham House think tank. Tickets are open to everybody and can be purchased at: https://www.squadup.com/events/ukrainelive

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Zelensky offers Trump drones for Tomahawks (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2025/10/17/zelenksy-meets-trump-white-house-live-updates/ 

Trump envoy pushes Ukraine to surrender Donetsk to Russia (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/19/trump-envoy-pushes-ukraine-donetsk-russia-war-peace-witkoff/ 

Pete Hegseth’s tie causes diplomatic spat (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2025/10/19/pete-hegseth-tie-causes-diplomatic-spat/ 

Trump tells Ukraine: Accept Putin’s demands ‘or be destroyed’ (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/19/trump-tells-ukraine-accept-putin-demands-or-be-destroyed/ 

Ukraine’s most prestigious military units are run like businesses: (The Economist): https://www.economist.com/europe/2025/10/14/ukraines-most-prestigious-military-units-are-run-like-businesses?utm_campaign=shared_article 

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Day 1,332.

Today, as President Zelensky meets Donald Trump at the White House, we unpack Vladimir Putin’s emergency – if predictable – intervention: an unscheduled call with the US President that may have derailed Kyiv’s hopes of securing Tomahawk missiles. Then, in a special cultural dispatch, we dive into the world of Ukrainian classical music.

Contributors:

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

With thanks to Hobart Earle, Music Director and Principal Conductor of the Odesa Philharmonic Orchestra.

MORE TICKETS JUST RELEASED FOR 'UKRAINE: THE LATEST' LIVE, IN-PERSON:

Join us for an in-person discussion and Q&A at the distinguished Honourable Artillery Company in London on 22nd October starting at 7pm.

Our panel includes General Sir Richard Barrons, former head of UK Joint Forces Command and latterly one of the authors of Britain’s Strategic Defence Review, and Orysia Lutsevych, head of the Ukraine Forum at the Chatham House think tank. Tickets are open to everybody and can be purchased at: https://www.squadup.com/events/ukrainelive

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:

Francis’s Odesa Documentary featuring Hobart Earle:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28HqbQLYGMM 

‘Animals in war’ winners, suggested by listeners:

https://x.com/FrancisDearnley/status/1978856072648499329 

Trump to meet Putin in Hungary (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2025/10/16/trump-holds-phone-call-putin-tomahawks/ 

Trump meeting Putin in Budapest is blow to Europe (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/16/trump-meeting-putin-budapest-blow-europe-hungary-orban/ 

North Korean troops helping to direct Russian strikes into Ukraine (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/russia-now-using-north-korean-troops-to-attack-inside-of-ukraine-general-staff/?mc_cid=ccbf455194&mc_eid=08d0680a95 

How Vladimir Putin’s history rant in Alaska nudged Donald Trump closer to Ukraine (Financial Times):

https://www.ft.com/content/7af3b49e-c4da-405b-8199-3e12957b78c2 

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Day 1,331.

Today, as President Zelensky heads to Washington for another high-stakes meeting with Donald Trump, we break down the latest from the frontlines as NATO vows to ramp up its military support for Ukraine. We also examine a rare protest in St Petersburg calling for Vladimir Putin’s death, explore how recent drone incursions are reshaping German attitudes toward the war, and ask why Syria’s president – once a sworn enemy of the Kremlin – has now met the Russian President in Moscow.

Contributors:

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

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

James Rothwell (Berlin Correspondant). @JamesERothwell on X.

MORE TICKETS JUST RELEASED FOR 'UKRAINE: THE LATEST' LIVE, IN-PERSON:

Join us for an in-person discussion and Q&A at the distinguished Honourable Artillery Company in London on 22nd October starting at 7pm.

Our panel includes General Sir Richard Barrons, former head of UK Joint Forces Command and latterly one of the authors of Britain’s Strategic Defence Review, and Orysia Lutsevych, head of the Ukraine Forum at the Chatham House think tank. Tickets are open to everybody and can be purchased at: https://www.squadup.com/events/ukrainelive

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:

Crowds in St Petersburg sing about overthrowing Putin (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/15/crowds-sing-banned-song-overthrowing-putin-st-petersburg/ 

Trump plans victory fund for Ukraine (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2025/10/15/trump-plans-victory-fund-for-ukraine/ 

Ukraine Is Starving Russia of Oil (Michael Bohnert in The Wall Street Journal):

https://www.wsj.com/opinion/ukraine-is-starving-russia-of-oil-de6ca866 

Russia Isn’t Done With Syria (Hanna Notte in Foreign Affairs):

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/russia/russia-isnt-done-syria 

Antoni Lallican, photojournalist killed in Ukraine, was 'insatiably curious and truly interested in others' (Le Monde):

https://www.lemonde.fr/en/obituaries/article/2025/10/07/antoni-lallican-a-french-photojournalist-killed-in-ukraine-was-insatiably-curious-and-truly-interested-in-others_6746169_15.html

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