Ukraine: The Latest

Day 1,111.

Today, on the military front - Russian forces move forward in Kursk oblast and close in on the town of Sudzha while Ukraine hits another oil refinery in Russia’s Samara oblast and Ukrainian troops made some small advances in the Donbas. Meanwhile, we hear how France’s commitment to defence has played out domestically and we look ahead to several military and defence meetings happening in Paris this week.  Later, we’ll hear an interview with the Governor of Kherson’s oblast, Oleksandr Prokudin, and we dive into the murky world of a Bulgarian spy ring operating in the UK, on behalf of the Kremlin. 

Contributors:

Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Narrative Podcast Producer). @adeliepjz on X.

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

Marion Solletty (Editor At Large @POLITICOEurope). @MSolletty on X.

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

With thanks to Oleksandr Prokudin (Governor of Kherson’s oblast).

Content Referenced:

Russia’s push for bridgeheads could leave Ukrainian city split like Berlin

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/03/08/russias-push-bridgeheads-ukraine-berlin-style-split/

JD Vance’s cousin is fighting in Ukraine - Le Figaro

https://www.lefigaro.fr/en/world/le-figaro-speaks-with-nate-jd-vance-s-first-cousin-and-a-volunteer-fighter-in-ukraine-20250310

Tech boss is Russian spymaster who has led cells across Europe ... and is now on the run. Listen to Hayley Dixon’s journey: 

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03/07/marsalek-russian-spymaster-wirecard/

And read the rest of Hayley Dixon’s investigation: 

Russian agents found guilty in Britain’s biggest spy investigation

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03/07/russian-agents-found-guilty-britains-spy-ring/

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, or click the links below.

Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatest

Learn more about the tech: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/24/ukraine-the-latest-podcast-russian-ukrainian-ai-translation/

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: [email protected]

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

Day 1,108.

Today, Russian forces split Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region and advance towards the border. Meanwhile, Russia targets a Ukrainian gas facility with missiles and drones just after Zelensky calls for a truce on attacks on infrastructure. On the political side, we discuss the consequences of the withdrawal of US intelligence to Ukraine, the French nuclear shield offer, and Russia’s response to the idea of European peacekeeping forces in Ukraine. We also look to Washington for the Hegseth and Healey summit. Lastly, we sit down with Sir Bill Browder and Yuliya Ziskina to discuss why Russian frozen assets should be transferred to Ukraine for defence spending and reparations. 

Contributors:

Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Narrative Podcast Producer). @adeliepjz on X.

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

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

Hamish De Bretton-Gordon (Former British Army Tank Commander). @HamishDBG on X

With thanks to Sir William Browder KCMG (Head of Global Magnitsky Justice campaign and author) @Billbrowder on X, and Juliya Ziskina (Senior Legal Fellow at Razom for Ukraine). @jziskina on X.

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, or click the links below.

Listen here 

Learn more about the tech 

Content Referenced:

Danielle Sheridan in QWashington DC on the Hegseth-Healy summit

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03/06/calling-trump-pro-russia-garbage-hegesth-ukraine/

Hamish De Bretton-Gordon in the Telegraph, ‘Trump is behaving like a businessman, not a Commander-in-Chief’

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03/06/trump-behaving-like-businessman-not-commander-in-chief/

The Telegraph on the US intelligence blackout

Le Monde’s interview with Oleksyi, commander in an air defence unit near Odesa with US cutting military aid

Le Monde on Chinese citizens enrolling in Russian forces

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: [email protected]

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

Day 1,107.

Today, as former President Donald Trump takes action to block Ukrainian missiles, we provide the latest updates from the crucial defence summit in Brussels, and discuss proposals for a "sky shield" over Ukraine. Additionally, we explore the political shifts in Germany following its recent election, analysing whether the changes are truly transformative.

Contributors:

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

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

Jade McGlynn (Research Fellow at The Department of War Studies at King's College London) @DrJadeMcGlynn on X.

Franzisca Davies (Assistant Professor of Eastern and Central Eastern European History). @EFDavies on X.

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, or click the links below.

Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatest

Learn more about the tech: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/24/ukraine-the-latest-podcast-russian-ukrainian-ai-translation/

Content Referenced:

European-led Ukraine air ‘Sky Shield’ protection plan could halt Russian missile attacks (The Guardian, with link to the full proposal):

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/06/european-led-ukraine-air-protection-plan-could-halt-russian-missile-attacks

Dr. Franziska Davies' Substack:

https://efdavies.substack.com/

Learn more about Kyiv Defenders:

https://www.paypal.com/pools/c/9cbIDnrgN6

Ukrainian Medics Film Screening(s):

Sign Up for London Screening:

https://forms.gle/AvTtgs4B3zsv5War6

Article on The Kyiv Independent:

https://kyivindependent.com/kyiv-independents-film-about-military-medics-will-be-screened-in-6-more-european-cities/

Trump turns off Ukraine’s missiles (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/03/05/donald-trump-turns-off-ukraine-missiles-zelensky/

Trump team held ‘secret talks’ with Zelensky opposition (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2025/03/06/trump-team-held-secret-talks-with-zelensky-opposition/

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: [email protected]

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

Day 1,106.

We cover Zelensky's letter to Trump, aiming to mend their relationship after Friday's heated exchange. We also explore the incoming German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s plan to boost defense and infrastructure spending. In addition, Trump bans the UK from sharing Washington’s intelligence with Ukraine, and reports surface of Ukrainian soldiers resorting to throwing beehives after running out of grenades.

Contributors:

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

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

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

Tom Mutch (War & Human Rights Journalist). @Tomthescribe on X.

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, or click the links below.

Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatest

Learn more about the tech: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/24/ukraine-the-latest-podcast-russian-ukrainian-ai-translation/

Content Referenced:

Pre-Order Tom Mutch's Book, The Dogs of Mariupol:

https://www.bitebackpublishing.com/books/the-dogs-of-mariupol 

European rearmament is going to turn the world upside down (Ambrose Evans Pritchard in The Telegraph:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/03/04/european-rearmament-is-going-to-turn-the-world-upside-down/

Telegraph Ukraine Live Blog:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/03/05/russia-ukraine-trump-zelensky-putin-war-live-news/

China says it is ‘ready for war’ with America

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/03/05/china-ready-war-america-raises-defence-spending-72-per-cent/

Watch: Ukrainian soldiers throw beehive at Russians after running out of grenades

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/03/05/ukrainian-soldiers-throw-beehive-at-russians/

Ukraine Without America: How Kyiv Can Persist In the Face of a Hostile Washington (Foreign Affairs):

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/ukraine/ukraine-without-america

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: [email protected]

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

Day 1,105.

Today, as President Trump announces he is pausing military aid to Ukraine, we talk to a Former Counselor of the US Department of State for his reaction, as well as from those serving on the front lines in Ukraine.

Contributors:

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

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

Dr Eliot A Cohen (former counselor in the United States Department of State). @EliotACohen on X.

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. It uses cutting edge artificial intelligence (AI) to retain our voices. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them, or click the links below.

Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatest

Learn more about the tech: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/24/ukraine-the-latest-podcast-russian-ukrainian-ai-translation/

Content Referenced:

Dr Eliot Cohen's 'Shield of the Republic' episode on the 'Oval Office Ambush':

https://www.thebulwark.com/p/emergency-podcast-an-oval-office

Dr Eliot Cohen's Piece on Hegseth in The Atlantic:

https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2025/02/ukraine-trump-foreign-policy/681685/

EU announces €800bn plan to rearm Europe and win over Trump (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/03/04/russia-ukraine-war-zelensky-trump-pauses-aid-latest-news/

Europeans move towards seizing €200bn of Russian assets (The Telegraph): 

https://www.ft.com/content/6536f4c4-42ce-4d8e-a063-5b7f708e7303

Putin is Unlikely to Demobilize in the Event of a Ceasefire Because He is Afraid of His Veterans (ISW):

https://understandingwar.org/sites/default/files/Afghan%20Syndrome%2C%20February%2023%2C%202025%20PDF.pdf

Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: [email protected]

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

Day 1,104.

Today, as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer says we are at a ‘crossroads in history’ we assess the fallout from Friday’s disastrous Oval Office meeting, take in the view from Kyiv, and hear from Francis Dearnley, who attended a private briefing with President Zelensky last night.

Contributors:

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

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

Christopher Miller (Financial Times' chief correspondent in Kyiv). @ChristopherJM on X.

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. It uses cutting edge artificial intelligence (AI) to retain our voices. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them, or click the links below.

Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatest

Learn more about the tech: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/24/ukraine-the-latest-podcast-russian-ukrainian-ai-translation/

Article on Francis's Briefing with Zelensky:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03/03/zelensky-private-press-conference-peace-deal/

Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: [email protected]

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

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

Please note: this episode was recorded before the extraordinary events at the White House on Friday afternoon.

Day 1,101.

Today, we return to Kursk, Russia, where fighting has intensified, consider the outcomes of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s vital visit to Washington, and hear the latest update on resistance in the occupied territories. Plus, we hear from Colin Freeman, who visits a former nuclear weapon facility in Ukraine.

Contributors:

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

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

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

Colin Freeman (Foreign Correspondent). @ColinFreeman on X.

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. It uses cutting edge artificial intelligence (AI) to retain our voices. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them, or click the links below.

Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatest

Learn more about the tech: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/24/ukraine-the-latest-podcast-russian-ukrainian-ai-translation/

Content Referenced:

Dutch NGO Protect Ukraine:

https://www.protectukraine.nl/

How a nuclear-armed Ukraine could become ‘Europe’s Israel’ (Colin in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/24/nuclear-armed-ukraine/

War robs Ukraine of its next generation (Colin in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/02/22/ukraine-russia-war-zelensky-poets-culture-youth/

The town Russia couldn’t take (Adrian Blomfield in The Telegraph:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/russia-ukraine-casualties-2024-losses-toretsk/

Instagram and Facebook page to follow Songs for Ukraine events

https://www.instagram.com/songs_for_ukraine/?igsh=MTRwNHIzOHhrb3ZpNg%3D%3D#

Link to Southwark Cathedral's even page

https://cathedral.southwark.anglican.org/whats-on/

https://tinyurl.com/SongsforUkraineSouthwark

Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: [email protected]

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

Day 1,100.

Today, amid more drone strikes on Ukraine and North Korea deploying new troops, we return to what some are calling one of the most significant weeks of diplomacy since the Second World War, as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s attempts to persuade the President to provide a security “backstop” for Ukraine. Later, we hear a training exercise involving British and Ukrainian troops, and hear the latest on kidnapped children.

Contributors:

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

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

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

Karolina Hird (Russia Deputy Team Lead and Analyst at the Institute for the Study of War). @KarolinaAHird on X.

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. It uses cutting edge artificial intelligence (AI) to retain our voices. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them, or click the links below.

Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatest

Learn more about the tech: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/24/ukraine-the-latest-podcast-russian-ukrainian-ai-translation/

Content Referenced:

Dispatch of British troops training Ukrainian forces (Venetia Rainey on Battle Lines - our sister podcast):

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-britain-learnt-from-the-ukraine-war-germanys/id1712903296?i=1000695563357

Telegraph Ukraine Live Blog:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/02/27/north-korea-sends-more-troops-to-russia-ukraine/

Macron has ‘no mandate’ to send European troops to Ukraine, says Meloni (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/02/27/giorgia-meloni-european-troops-ukraine-emmanuel-macron/

Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: [email protected]

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

Day 1,099.

Today, we delve into Russia's expanding drone production and the arrival of a North Korean delegation in Moscow. On the political front, we explore the complex minerals deal and the challenging negotiations surrounding security guarantees. Later, we engage with experts to discuss the deteriorating state of Russia's nuclear arsenal.

Contributors:

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

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

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

Terry Virts (Former NASA Astronaut and USAF F-16 Pilot). @AstroTerry on X.

Fabian Hoffman (Expert on Russia’s nuclear capability). @FRHoffmann1 on X.

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. It uses cutting edge artificial intelligence (AI) to retain our voices. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them, or click the links below.

Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatest

Learn more about the tech: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/24/ukraine-the-latest-podcast-russian-ukrainian-ai-translation/

Content Referenced:

Exclusive: The full text of the US-Ukraine mineral deal (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/exclusive-the-full-text-of-the-final-us-ukraine-mineral-agreement/

US minerals deal will be tied to security, Ukraine says (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/02/26/russia-ukraine-zelensky-putin-war-starmer-latest-news/

How Much Has the U.S. Spent on Ukraine in the War? (Wall Street Journal):

https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/ukraine-war-cost-us-spending-9dfd903e

Ed Conway's Latest Thread on Sanctions Loopholes:

https://x.com/EdConwaySky/status/1893934022893445364

B4 Ukraine Reports on Sanctions Evasion:

https://b4ukraine.org/

Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: [email protected]

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