Ukraine: The Latest

Day 1,302.

Today, Donald Trump arrives in Britain for his second state visit, possibly bringing a gift to Ukraine. Putin watches the last blast of Zapad 25 - but without the head of his military - and we hear how Russia may be close to cutting oil output due to Ukrainian drone strikes. Later, an interview with Jack Lopresti, the former British Member of Parliament who is now a member of Ukraine’s International Legion.

Contributors:

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

Eliza Winter (Telegraph Reporter).

With thanks to former Conservative MP, Jack Lopresti.

Content Referenced:

Tickets for the Honourable Artillery Company panel event on 22nd October starting at 7pm, can be purchased at telegraph.co.uk/ukrainelive. Please direct questions about the ticket link to: [email protected] 

The History Of Heartbreak podcast

https://open.spotify.com/show/4BOai3JkfvVKchXHqiXCj8

Exclusive: Russia close to cutting oil output due to drone attacks, sources say

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/russia-close-cutting-oil-output-due-drone-attacks-sources-say-2025-09-16/

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.

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 1,301.

Today, we report on Kyiv’s so-called “revenge operation” targeting Russian forces said to have been involved in war crimes, we hear live from Kharkiv after a strike on a medical university and, later, we speak to the Telegraph’s former Chief Foreign Correspondent about his new book telling the untold story of Ukraine’s Foreign Legion.

Contributors:

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

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

With thanks to Latika Bourke & Colin Freeman.

Content Referenced:

The Mad and the Brave: The Untold Story of Ukraine’s Foreign Legion (by Colin Freeman):

https://amzn.eu/d/cdTjXfu 

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.

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 1,300.

Today, we unpack what happened in Romania over the weekend, where a Russian drone flew into its airspace for almost an hour. And we look at the fall out responses from Nato & Europe since last week’s similar incursion in Poland. Meanwhile in Russia, Ukrainian saboteurs derailed two trains over the weekend. Finally, we discuss Russia’s economy and oil industry and zoom in on India and whether, as Trump put it a few weeks, it is indeed lost to ‘deepest, darkest China.’

Contributors:

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

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

Dia Chakravarty (Contributing Editor). @

@DiaChakravarty on X.

Content Referenced:

Danish govt intends to disregard laws and regulations to build a Ukrainian weapons factory in Denmark

https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/indland/med-ny-magt-i-haanden-vil-regeringen-se-bort-fra-over-20-love-og-regler-bygge

‘Opinion is shifting towards this idea,’ says Polish FM Sikorski on NATO closing the sky over western Ukraine

https://kyivindependent.com/in-an-interview-in-kyiv-polish-fm-sikorski-reflects-on-russias-drone-attack-on-his-country-natos-response-and-the-shifting-alliance-with-ukraine/

Putin's clash with Russia's top banker shows increasing disconnect over war economy, experts say

https://kyivindependent.com/putin-top-banker-clash-over-russias-technical-stagnation-as-war-costs-mount/

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.

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.

The original edit of this podcast episode stated that Europe was close to a trade deal with Russia. This was a misspeak and should have said Europe was close to a deal with China. Thank you to those who flagged this mistake, we are happy to correct the record.

Day 1,297.

Today, we dive into Donald Trump’s campaign of revenge against CIA officials and into new and upcoming sanctions against Russia as pressure continues to mount following the drone incursion into the Polish airspace. And finally, we hear the second part of David Knowles’s work on the fight against corruption Ukraine, recorded shortly before his death.

Contributors:

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

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

With special thanks - as ever - to David Knowles (creator of 'Ukraine: The Latest').

Content Referenced:

Trump’s vengeance against CIA ‘is blinding US to Putin’s threat’

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/09/12/donald-trump-vengeance-cia-blinding-usa-threat-putin-russia/

Part one of David Knowles’s interview on the fight against corruption in Ukraine: 

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/putin-launches-largest-air-attack-of-the-war/id1612424182?i=1000725540765

Charities in David Knowles’s memory:

KHARPP (Ukraine) fundraiser in memory of David Knowles, creator of ‘Ukraine: The Latest’:

https://donorbox.org/kharpp-fundraiser-in-memory-of-david-knowles

British Heart Foundation fundraiser in memory of David Knowles, creator of ‘Ukraine: The Latest’:

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/bhfteamdavidknowles

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.

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 1,296.

Today, we continue to unpack NATO’s response to the incursion of 19 Russian drones into Polish airspace. We hear the latest news from the resistance in the Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia, and we zoom in on the water crisis in Donetsk.

Contributors:

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

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

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

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

Content Referenced:

Russian drones were ‘targeting Nato base in Poland’’, The Telegraph

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/09/11/russian-drones-targeting-nato-base-in-poland/

Is Nato sliding towards war with Russia?, The Telegraph

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/09/10/nato-sliding-towards-war-with-russia/

Print Army: 

https://drukarmy.org.ua/en

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.

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: [email protected]

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

Day 1,295.

Today, in a historic moment for Europe, NATO fighter jets shoot down Russian drones over Poland in the first ever direct engagement between the Western alliance and Moscow. We assess the global reaction and what it means, before asking how Vladimir Putin is manipulating the information space to conceal his crimes and shape opinion.

Contributors:

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

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

Peter Pomerantsev (Chief Editor and Co-founder of The Reckoning Project) @peterpomeranzev on X.

Scott Martin (International Lawyer at Global Rights Compliance)

Content Referenced:

Nato engages Russia for first time (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/09/10/nato-russia-drones-shot-down-poland-fighter-jets/ 

Telegraph Ukraine Live Blog on Poland Crisis:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/09/10/ukraine-russia-war-latest-news-drones-poland-nato/ 

Manufacturing Impunity: Russian Information Operations in Ukraine — Russia’s Use of Information Alibis and How They Materially Contribute to the Planning, Execution and Cover-up of International Crimes (Global Rights Compliance, in collaboration with the leading advocacy organisation The Reckoning Project):

https://globalrightscompliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Manufacturing-Impunity.pdf 

‘NATO States Have Failed’ (Phillips O’Brien Substack):

https://phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/nato-states-have-failed 

For the first time in 10 years, Ukraine and Poland exhumed and reburied the victims of the Volyn tragedy (Babel):

https://babel.ua/en/texts/121230-for-the-first-time-in-10-years-ukraine-and-poland-exhumed-and-reburied-the-victims-of-the-volyn-tragedy-the-archaeologist-and-historian-says-this-is-a-breakthrough-in-the-relations-between-the-countri

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.

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: [email protected]

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

Day 1,294.

Today, as Ukraine strikes yet more oil and gas facilities deep inside Russia, we hear how Donald Trump has deported dozens of political refugees fleeing Vladimir Putin back to the country. Then we report how Putin’s present for General Gerasimov’s 70th birthday was a nice medal and an extension of his military service, plus we report on Monday’s defence forum in London where Dom interviewed Boris Johnson, who said the Coalition of the Willing should be deployed to Ukraine now.

Contributors:

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

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

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

With thanks to War Child Chief Executive Helen Pattinson, and Labour MP Johanna Baxter.

Content Referenced:

War Child Report:

https://www.warchild.org.uk/our-work/policies-and-reports/return-every-child

KHARPP (Ukraine) fundraiser in memory of David Knowles, creator of ‘Ukraine: The Latest’:

https://donorbox.org/kharpp-fundraiser-in-memory-of-david-knowles

British Heart Foundation fundraiser in memory of David Knowles, creator of ‘Ukraine: The Latest’:

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/bhfteamdavidknowles

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.

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 1,293.

Today, as Ukraine suffers the largest air attack of the war, killing four and setting dozens of buildings on fire in Kyiv, including the main seat of government, we assess the response from world leaders. Then, in a special segment to mark the one year anniversary of his passing, we hear new interviews recorded by Ukraine: The Latest’s creator, David Knowles, and discuss two fundraisers launched in his memory.

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.

With special thanks - as ever - to David Knowles (creator of 'Ukraine: The Latest').

Charities Referenced:

KHARPP (Ukraine) fundraiser in memory of David Knowles, creator of ‘Ukraine: The Latest’:

https://donorbox.org/kharpp-fundraiser-in-memory-of-david-knowles

British Heart Foundation fundraiser in memory of David Knowles, creator of ‘Ukraine: The Latest’:

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/bhfteamdavidknowles

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.

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 1,290.

Today, after another important Coalition of the Willing summit in Paris, we discuss Vladimir Putin’s warning that any Western peacekeeping forces deployed to Ukraine would be considered a “legitimate” target. Then, we dive into an investigation on how China is providing drones parts to Russia and effectively sustaining its ability to continue waging its war against Ukraine. Finally, Dom dials in on his last day in Prague attending the International Institute for Strategic Studies Defence Summit. 

Contributors:

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.

Sophia Yan (Senior Foreign Correspondent). @Sophia_Yan on X.

Content Referenced:

How China is secretly arming Russia, (Sophia Yan in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/09/03/how-china-is-secretly-arming-russia/

Putin: British troops in Ukraine ‘legitimate’ target for Russia (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/09/05/putin-western-troops-in-ukraine-legitimate-target-russia/ 

‘Battle Lines: Inside the rise of China’s military - and what it means for Taiwan’:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/08/08/battle-lines-podcast-inside-the-rise-of-chinas-military/

IISS Prague Defence Summit: 

https://www.iiss.org/events/prague-defence-summit/prague-defence-summit-2025/ 

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.

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 1,289.

Today, as the Coalition of the Willing meets to discuss security guarantees in Paris, we hear live from Prague minutes after the speech of NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Then – after the military updates – we assess in greater detail the attendance of other world leaders alongside Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping in Beijing: who were they, and what do their motives tell us about the new ‘axis of upheaval?’

Contributors:

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

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

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

Content Referenced:

Britain sanctions mother of Chechen warlord for stealing children (Adelie in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/09/03/uk-sanctions-mother-chechen-warlord-stealing-children-kyiv/ 

There is a question no one dares ask about Vladimir Putin (Francis in The Telegraph in 2024):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/12/24/there-is-a-question-no-one-dares-ask-about-vladimir-putin/

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.

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.