Ukraine: The Latest

Day 1,248.

Today, we reveal new Patriot air-defence systems have already arrived in Ukraine, and provide the full, extraordinary story of the events leading up to President Trump’s u-turn which made that possible. Then we speak to a former US fighter pilot about the significance of such weapons deliveries in the air war, and about the mood in the United States, before a short dispatch from Wembley on the night Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk became undisputed heavyweight champion.

Contributors:

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

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

Terry Virts (former NASA astronaut and Colonel in the US Air Force). @AstroTerry on X.

Maria Romanenko (Ukrainian Journalist). @rommari on X.

Content Referenced:

‘The full, untold story of Trump’s U-turn on Ukraine’ (Joe Barnes in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/25/full-untold-story-donald-trump-u-turn-ukraine-war-us-russia/ 

Ukrainian soldiers cut off from Musk’s Starlink after blackout (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/07/25/ukrainian-soldiers-cut-off-from-musks-starlink-after-outage/

Zelensky defied US order to scrap controversial corruption law (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2025/07/25/zelensky-defied-senior-us-officials-on-corruption-law/ 

Fully Chinese-made drone found in Ukraine for first time (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/23/fully-chinese-made-drone-found-in-ukraine-for-first-time/

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 1,247.

Today, as Zelensky seeks to make concessions to those protesting a bill many argue threatens the independence of Ukraine’s anti-corruption bodies, we assess the significance of Trump’s new $332 million military package, then resume our two-part dispatch from Moldova, sometimes described as a frontline in Cold War II.

Contributors:

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

Jimmy Rushton (Kyiv-based Foreign Policy/Security Analyst). @JimmySecUK on X.

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

With thanks to Andrei Curararu of Watchdog MD.

Content Referenced:

VIDEO DISPATCH: 'Moldova is worse than Ukraine': My clash with Russian sympathisers on the frontline of Cold War Two (Francis Dearnley for The Telegraph): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZC5FvDt-u0  

Zelensky backtracks on corruption reform in attempt to end protests (Jimmy Rushton in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/23/ukraine-intelligence-chief-zelensky-tear-country-apart/ 

Exclusive: Chinese engines, shipped as 'cooling units', power Russian drones used in Ukraine (Reuters):

https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/chinese-engines-shipped-cooling-units-power-russian-drones-used-ukraine-2025-07-23/ 

‘A fatal mistake’ — Ukrainian soldiers slam Zelensky’s anti-corruption crackdown (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/a-fatal-mistake-ukrainian-soldiers-slam-zelenskys-anti-corruption-crackdown/

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 1,246.

Today, after a historic vote in the Ukrainian parliament which sparked the country’s biggest protest in wartime, we assess the damage to President Zelensky’s credibility following his decision to approve a bill some argue has gifted Putin a propaganda victory. Then we take you to Moldova – a nation on Europe’s edge, with the first of a two-part dispatch that includes our clash with Russian-sympathising politicians outside of the parliament.

Contributors:

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

Svitlana Morenets (Staff writer at The Spectator). @SvMorenets on X.

With thanks to Radu Marian, Member of Parliament of Moldova.

Content Referenced:

VIDEO DISPATCH: 'Moldova is worse than Ukraine': My clash with Russian sympathisers on the frontline of Cold War Two (Francis Dearnley for The Telegraph):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZC5FvDt-u0 

Anti-government protests break out in Kyiv (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/22/zelensky-destroys-ukraine-anti-corruption-agencies/ 

Zelensky dismantles Ukraine's anti-corruption infrastructure, brings law enforcement agencies under his thumb (Kyiv Independent): https://kyivindependent.com/potential-elimination-of-ukraines-anti-graft-infrastructure-signals-slide-into-authoritarianism-may-block-eu-integration/

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: [email protected]

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

Day 1,245.

Today, we hear the mood from Kremlin insiders following a series of high profile purges by Putin, discuss a new drone factory showcased in Russian propaganda, and consider drama in the Ukrainian parliament which risks impacting the international perception of the government. Plus, we hear the latest on the mood in the British House of Commons.

Contributors:

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

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

With thanks to our guests Iain Duncan Smith MP (@MPIainDS on X) and Jeff Hartman of Ukrainian Action (@UkrAaction on X).

Content Referenced:

Learn more about Ukrainian Action:

https://www.ukrainianaction.com/ 

Russian elite living in fear as Putin purges take bloody toll (Memphis Barker in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/22/oligarchs-living-in-fear-as-putin-purges-take-bloody-toll/ 

Ukrainian drone secrets ‘stolen by snooping Europeans’ (Memphis Barker in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/11/ukrainian-drone-secrets-stolen-by-snooping-europeans/ 

The tortured Ukrainian veteran turning shrapnel into a war museum (Memphis Barker in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/13/tortured-ukrainian-veteran-shrapnel-war-museum/ 

Inside Russia’s suicide drone factories manned by teenagers (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/20/russia-suicide-drone-factories-manned-by-teenagers/

'An extraordinary responsibility' — Ukraine's new ground forces commander outlines key priorities (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/new-ground-forces-commander-sets-priorities-troop-generation-training-and-unity/?mc_cid=51597b54d0&mc_eid=08d0680a95 

Russia’s struggle to modernize its military industry (Chatham House):

https://www.chathamhouse.org/2025/07/russias-struggle-modernize-its-military-industry

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: [email protected]

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

Day 1,244.

Today, after another sleepless night for millions in Kyiv, we bring in experts to look at the shifting strategy of the Russian intelligence services, and hear a firsthand account of Putin’s seizure of power and the complicity of Russia’s elite. How did a fledgling democracy die?

Contributors:

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

Roland Oliphant (Senior Foreign Correspondant). @RolandOliphant on X.

With thanks to Irina Borogan (investigative journalist) @irinaborogan on X and Andrei Soldatov (investigative journalist). @AndreiSoldatov on X.

Content Referenced:

‘Our Dear Friends in Moscow: The Inside Story of a Broken Generation’ by Andrei Soldatov & Irina Borogan:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Our-Dear-Friends-Moscow-Generation/dp/1541704452 

Russia strikes Kyiv metro entrance as civilians shelter inside (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/21/russia-strikes-kyiv-lukianivska-metro-bomb-shelters-ukraine/ 

Texas man joins Russian army to “earn respect,” gets lied to as he is sent to front line instead of welding job (Euromaidan Press):

https://euromaidanpress.com/2025/07/16/texas-man-joins-russian-army-to-earn-respect-gets-lied-to-as-he-is-sent-to-front-line-instead-of-welding-job/ 

Ukrainian hackers wipe databases at Russia's Gazprom in major cyberattack, intelligence source says (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-intel-hackers-hit-gazproms-network-infrastructure-sources-say-07-2025/ 

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 1,241.

Today, further to the usual military and political updates, we discuss a major coordinated announcement exposing senior Russian intelligence officers responsible for some of the most significant operations against Ukraine and its allies in recent years, then hear more about Moscow’s illegal operations in the occupied territories.

Contributors:

Roland Oliphant (Senior Foreign Correspondant). @RolandOliphant on X.

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

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

Content Referenced:

Unmasked: The Russian spies who targeted Britain on Putin’s orders (Joe Barnes in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/18/russian-spies-targeted-britain-unmasked-putin/ 

Ukraine invites foreign defense companies to test weapons on the battlefield (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-invites-foreign-defense-companies-to-test-weapons-on-the-battlefield/?mc_cid=5a0f6966b6&mc_eid=08d0680a95

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 1,240.

Today, as Russia continues to target civilians, dropping a bomb on a shopping center, NATO members admit to being taken by surprise by Trump’s announcement that they would have to buy a Patriot missile system for Ukraine. Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz comes to the UK to discuss defence, and Ukraine names Yulia Svyrydenko new prime minister. Finally, our colleague Danielle Sheridan interviews former head of the British Army General Sir Patrick Sanders. 

Photo for illustrative purposes. A Russian Mi-8 military helicopter flies near the town of al-Qahtaniyah, Syria, on Feb. 4, 2021. (Delil Souleiman / AFP via Getty Images)

Contributors:

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

Danielle Sheridan (Defence Editor). @SheridanDani on X.

With thanks to General Sir Patrick Sanders, former head of the British Army.

Content Referenced:

Starmer and Merz find their happy place: War, Politico 

https://www.politico.eu/article/keir-starmer-friedrich-merz-war-uk-germany-europe-defense-security-missiles-donald-trump-ukraine/

Trump promised Patriots for Ukraine. Now Europe has to provide them, Reuters

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-celebrates-trumps-weapons-reversal-devils-details-2025-07-16/

'Prepare for war with Russia by 2030' says ex-army chief Gen Sir Patrick Sanders, Battle Lines, The Telegraph

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiK4YIowwTM&list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dk&index=1

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 1,239.

Today, as mass attacks struck Ukraine overnight, we continue analysing the latest developments from Washington as Trump, when probed by reporters, seemed to shy away from the promises he’d made to Zelensky on July 4th. Finally, we have a conversation with Ukrainian Cultural Forces on the role of music in cultural diplomacy and in rehabilitation for wounded soldiers. 

Contributors:

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

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

Content Referenced:

Cultural Forces of Ukraine:

https://culturalforces.org/en/

Donald Trump asked Volodymyr Zelenskyy if Ukraine could hit Moscow, say people briefed on call (Financial Times)"

https://www.ft.com/content/b66f03b5-e295-4f8c-92ba-516a527d588c

In squeezing Putin, Trump 'escalates to de-escalate' (Washington Post):

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/07/14/trump-ukraine-war-missiles-russia-arms-package/

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

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Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers.

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: [email protected]

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

Day 1,238.

Today, we analyse the widely-publicised announcements yesterday by President Trump in the White House, and consider just how significant they are. Is this a turning point? Then we hear from medical professionals providing services in the occupied territories.

Contributors:

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

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

With thanks to Robert Hickin of the charity GP Now. @GPNow on X.

Content Referenced:

Learn More about GP Now:

https://www.gpnow.net/ukrainian-crisiscare 

Trump asked Zelensky if Ukraine could strike Moscow (The Telegraph Live Blog)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/15/ukraine-russia-war-trump-putin-zelensky-latest-news/ 

Trump tells Putin: Sign peace deal or face 100pc tariffs (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2025/07/14/trump-tells-putin-sign-peace-deal-50-days-face-100pc-tariff/

Donald Trump asked Volodymyr Zelenskyy if Ukraine could hit Moscow, say people briefed on call (Financial Times):

https://www.ft.com/content/b66f03b5-e295-4f8c-92ba-516a527d588c 

Zelensky announces next prime minister, launches government reshuffle (Kyiv Independent): 

https://kyivindependent.com/breaking-zelensky-proposes-first-deputy-prime-minister-svyrydenko-to-lead-ukrainian-government/?mc_cid=30907a7fa9&mc_eid=08d0680a95 

I'm 'disappointed but not done' with Putin, Trump tells BBC (BBC):

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1e02q12z32o 

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

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Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers.

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: [email protected]

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

Day 1,237.

Today after Donald Trump says Putin “talks nice then bombs everybody in the evening” the world is braced for a potential uptick in US support for Ukraine and we report how Ukraine says it has killed the Russian agents responsible for assassinating an SBU officer last week. Plus, we hear the latest from the battlefields in eastern Ukraine, including a dispatch from those risking their lives to get electricity to the front lines.

Contributors:

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

Francis Farrell (Reporter, The Kyiv Independent). @francisjfarrell on X.

Memphis Barker (Senior foreign correspondent). @memphisbarker on X.

Content Referenced:

Telegraph Live Blog on Trump’s Statement:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/14/ukraine-russia-war-trump-putin-zelensky-latest-news/ 

Dispatch: Ukraine turns to machines to spare troops from drone-infested ‘grey zone’ (Memphis Barker in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/05/inside-ukraine-grey-zone-soldiers-machines-russia-war/ 

Francis Farrell’s Latest Pieces in Kyiv Independent:

https://kyivindependent.com/author/francis-farrell/

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

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.