Ukraine: The Latest

Day 1,638.

Today, as Russia is accused of yet another incursion into Nato airspace, there are reports of a major Ukrainian drone attack on occupied Crimea. Kyiv is apparently seeking approval – again – from Elon Musk, this time to use Starlink in strikes on Russian missile launchers. Meanwhile, Russia is defenseless in the Mediterranean for the first time in a decade. We speak to the Telegraph journalist who got the scoop. Plus, a bizarre twist in the story of the suspected Nord Stream saboteur - and which American music artist is set to perform in St Petersburg in October? Finally, we catch up with occupied territories expert Dr Jade McGlynn on her recent trip to eastern Ukraine.

Contributors:

Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.

Sophie O’Sullivan (Telegraph journalist). 

Tom Cotterill (Telegraph defence editor). @TomCotterillX on X.

Jade McGlynn (Research fellow, King’s College London). @DrJadeMcGlynn on X.

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Anita Blay

Studio Director: James England

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at [email protected]

Ukraine’s Logistics Targeting Raises Questions for Russia’s Rear Defences (RUSI)

https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/commentary/ukraines-logistics-targeting-raises-questions-russias-rear-defences 

‘Highway of death’: the Ukrainian drone campaign menacing Russian logistics (The Guardian)

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/11/highway-of-death-the-ukrainian-drone-campaign-menacing-russian-logistics

Ukraine seeks Elon Musk’s help to hit Russian missile launchers (Financial Times)

https://www.ft.com/content/ff536e6e-dc56-45e3-b5e0-2dfb28148cb6?syn-25a6b1a6=1

Ukraine Planned to Swarm Moscow Airports With AI-Guided Drones (Simon Shuster for The Atlantic)

https://www.theatlantic.com/national-security/2026/08/ukraine-moscow-airports-ai-drones/688337/ 

Coalition of the Willing to hold Independence Day meeting in Kyiv (Kyiv Independent)

https://kyivindependent.com/coalition-of-the-willing-to-hold-independence-day-meeting-in-kyiv/

Russian publishers reportedly cut print runs after Ukrainian strikes on Wildberries warehouses, where their books are stored (Meduza) https://meduza.io/en/news/2026/08/21/russian-publishers-reportedly-cut-print-runs-after-ukrainian-strikes-on-wildberries-warehouses-where-their-books-are-stored

The cheap submarine-detection kits set to expose Putin’s invisible force (Tom Cotterill for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/08/21/cheap-submarine-detection-kits-expose-russia-navy-ships-war/ 

Russian widows hire clairvoyants to contact husbands killed in war (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/17/russian-widows-hire-clairvoyants-to-contact-husbands-killed/

To hear Francis answer the question about Russian missile launchers in our last Q&A, on August 13th: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbf1PD2Xjhs&t=1890s

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on [email protected]. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Russia 'defenceless' in the Mediterranean for first time in war
• Ukraine hits Moscow’s supply lines to Crimea

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

Day 1,637

Today, as at least 15 people are killed in another terrible missile bombardment on Kyiv, Putin is finally forced to acknowledge the Wildberries strikes that have seen warehouses ablaze across Russia. Meanwhile Ukraine targets Russian oil refineries once again. Then we ask whether former Defence Minister Fedorov overplayed his hand by calling for election – as key supporters reject the idea – before considering how Ukrainian literature and art is already shaping the war’s memory.

Contributors: 

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

With thanks to Charlotte Higgins, chief culture writer at the Guardian and author of Ukrainian Lessons: Art in a Time of War.

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Anita Blay

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Charlotte Higgins’ Book – ‘Ukrainian Lessons: Art in a Time of War’

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ukrainian-Lessons-Art-Time-War/dp/1787335976 

Victoria Amelina’s Book – ‘Looking at Women, Looking at War: A War and Justice Diary from Ukraine’

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Looking-Women-War-foreword-Margaret/dp/0008727503 

Learn more about the Ukrainian Institute Language School: https://uil.org.uk/language-school/  

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/20/russian-cruise-missiles-kill-12-in-kyiv/ 

Russia still has 50 Kinzhal missiles in its arsenal after suspending production – Ukraine's Defence Intelligence (Ukrainska Pravda)

https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2026/08/20/8049496/ 

Fuel pumps are running dry but Putin won’t let Russians complain (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/20/fuel-pumps-running-dry-putin-russia-ukraine-war-kremlin/ 

Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, August 19, 2026 (Institute for the Study of War)

https://understandingwar.org/research/russia-ukraine/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-august-19-2026/ 

GeoInsider reporting on the Russian naval attack drone shot down by Romania

https://x.com/InsiderGeo/status/2090388854855397440?s=20

Adelie’s interview with Hugh Roberts on translating Ukrainian poetry

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AXCoKZkXMI 

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at [email protected]

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on [email protected]. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Putin breaks silence on Wildberries carnage
• 15 killed in Russian bombardment on Kyiv

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

Day 1,636.

Today, in a blistering attack on his former boss, ousted Ukrainian defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov has taken aim at President Zelensky, calling out government corruption and a governance system “in crisis” and calling for fresh elections. It comes as Zelensky’s new defence minister is endorsed by parliament, but also as Ukraine’s national anti-corruption body launches dawn raids on a “high-ranking official” in the president’s office. Plus, nursery children in Russia have been held at gunpoint in government anti-terror drills and Croatian police arrest a Ukrainian man for the alleged sabotage of the Nord Stream pipeline. Later, Dom speaks to Ukrainian athlete Yaroslava Mahuchikh, who last weekend won gold in the high jump at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham.

Contributors: 

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

With thanks to Olga Saladukha and Oleksiy Kasyanov of the Ukrainian Athletic Federation, and champion high jumper Yaroslava Mahuchikh.

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan and Anthony Melton

Social Producer: Natalia Makohon

Translation by Natalia Makohon

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at [email protected]

Nursery children held at gunpoint in Russian anti-terror drills (Antonia Langford for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/19/kindergarten-children-held-at-gunpoint-in-russian-drills/

Top Zelensky aide targeted in new anti-corruption investigation (Antonia Langford for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/19/top-zelensky-aide-targeted-anti-corruption-investigation/

Croatia arrests Ukrainian suspected of Nord Stream sabotage, to be tried in Germany (Kyiv Independent)

https://kyivindependent.com/croatia-arrests-suspected-nord-stream-saboteur-to-be-tried-in-germany/

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on [email protected]. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Mykhailo Fedorov calls for election in blistering attack on Zelensky
• Former defence minister also claims corruption is harming Kyiv’s war effort

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

Day 1,635.

Today, after a huge drone attack on the Moscow region – potentially breaking another record – we report on the latest major Red Square military parade to be cancelled. Meanwhile, the Kremlin reportedly makes sure an outspoken banker is silenced for daring to suggest that Russia cannot win a war of attrition against Ukraine and its allies. Then Dom asks the UN’s representative in Ukraine whether the current model is “fit for purpose.” His answer may surprise you.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

With thanks Matthias Schmale, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine.

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan and Anthony Melton

Social Producer: Anita Blay

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at [email protected]

Russia jails political leader for opposing Ukraine war (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/18/russia-jails-political-leader-for-opposing-ukraine-war/ 

Senior Russian banker sacked after saying: ‘We’re losing to Ukraine’ (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2026/08/17/russian-banker-sacked-after-saying-were-losing-to-ukraine/ 

Russia: Britain will pay for giving Ukraine drones (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/17/russia-britain-will-pay-for-giving-ukraine-drones/ 

Trump ballroom official held quiet Kremlin talks (Financial Times)

https://www.ft.com/content/d88a8878-425d-4225-bda4-576c6c42734e?shareType=nongift&syn-25a6b1a6=1 

‘Deliberate negligence’: Russian nuclear power company with EU operations accused of violating safety standards (Politico)

https://www.politico.eu/article/rosatom-hungary-nuclear-energy-egypt-russia-el-dabaa-paks-ii-russia-safety-standards-violations/ 

NAFO Fella Accounts re. paintings:

https://x.com/ky_painter | @kypainter.bsky.social

https://x.com/fellarequests 

https://x.com/Official_NAFO 

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on [email protected]. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Ukraine launches massive drone blitz at Moscow
• UN not fit for purpose, says UN in exclusive interview

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

Day 1,634.

Today, Ukraine sets the sky alight over Moscow oblast as it wipes out the latest Wildberries warehouse. Plus, in what Moscow said was Kyiv’s biggest attack of the year, the plant manufacturing rockets for Russia’s space programme was also destroyed, 9000km inside Russia. Thousands of protesters gathered in Kyiv over the weekend in support of former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov, and Russia’s Foreign Minister effectively admitted responsibility for recent operations in Europe such as the Leipzig drone attack, saying the West is “already starting to groan”. And later, we talk to two journalists who have just returned from Kharkiv, where they made a film warning that the city is fast catching up with Kherson when it comes to drone safari attacks.

Contributors:

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

With thanks to journalists Anna Conkling and Jason Bellini.

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett and Anthony Melton

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Natalia Makahon

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Anna and Jason’s documentary from Kharkiv

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zIaFDV1TsU 

Caolan Robertson’s interview with Mykhailo Federov

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFZ3-nZPCu0 

Putin launches revenge strikes on Kyiv after space centre attack (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/16/russia-putin-revenge-strikes-kyiv-space-centre-attack/ 

Russia builds secret drone bases in striking distance of Nato (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/16/russia-builds-secret-drone-bases-in-nato-striking-distance/ 

Patriot missiles have been a godsend for Ukraine against Putin, but they’re running out. Kyiv needs help and fast (Jack Watling for The Guardian)

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/aug/14/patriot-missiles-ukraine-putin-kyiv-running-out-nato-danger 

Second wave of fuel shortages at petrol stations sweeps across Russia (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/second-wave-fuel-shortages-petrol-stations-sweeps-across-russia-2026-08-17/ 

Call for the release of OSCE SMM staff members

https://zmina.ua/en/statements-en/the-release-of-osce-smm-staff-members-is-a-prerequisite-for-the-implementation-of-ceasefire-monitoring/  

Learn more about ENGIn

https://www.enginprogram.org/ 

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at [email protected] 

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on [email protected]. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

Thumbnail image credit: X/@JayinKyiv

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Smoke fills Moscow sky after Ukraine wipes out key Wildberries warehouse
• Russian space centre destroyed, 9000km from Ukraine

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

Day 1,631.

Today, a train in Siberia, said to be carrying ballistic missiles from North Korea, goes up in flames. Then, not to be outdone, a Russian oil terminal near St Petersburg announces it has “completely” shut down following a recent Ukrainian attack. The Starlink spat between Poland and “big man” Elon Musk seems to be cooling and Putin has placed the son of US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr on Russia’s wanted list for fighting in Ukraine. Plus later, we speak to two women brought together by an NGO that helps Ukrainians improve their English – as one of their sons fights on the front line in Ukraine.

Contributors: 

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.

With thanks to ENGin volunteers Jane and Anastasia.

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan and James England

Social Producer: Anita Blay

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Learn more about the ENGin program, which helps Ukrainians of all ages improve their English-language conversation via volunteers worldwide: 

https://www.enginprogram.org/ 

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at [email protected]

Kremlin hired assassin to murder American on Polish soil, says Tusk (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/13/kremlin-hired-assassin-to-execute-american-on-polish-soil/  

Blast at Rotterdam port energy facility kills one person (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/rotterdam-port-explosion-causes-one-death-police-say-2026-08-13/ 

Putin flexes Moscow’s muscles in the Far East (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/14/putin-flexes-moscows-muscles-in-the-far-east/ 

US armoured brigade pummelled by Ukraine’s drones in wargame (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2026/08/13/us-armoured-brigade-pummelled-ukraine-drones-wargame/ 

Pictured: ‘Russian escort’ accused of assassinating Ukrainian defector (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/13/woman-assassinates-ukrainian-submarine-commander-who-defect/ 

Ukraine offers Russia truce in the Black Sea as food supply fears mount (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-offers-russia-truce-black-sea-food-supply-fears-mount-source-says-2026-08-13/ 

Russian Strikes on Dozens of Grain Ships Threaten Global Food Supplies (New York Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/13/world/europe/russia-ukraine-ports-odesa-cargo-ship-attacks.html 

‘We have nowhere to return to’: How Russia is seizing homes in occupied Ukraine (BBC Verify)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-f153d864-33b6-4ffa-823a-bf085f8ec5e1 

Ukraine Receives Bodies of 261 Fallen Soldiers From Russia (Kyiv Post)

https://www.kyivpost.com/post/82292 

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on [email protected]. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Ukraine 'destroys North Korean missiles 6000km inside Russia'
• Huge explosion rips through Italian munitions factory

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

Day 1,630.

Today, following the significant raid on the home of Russia’s Black Sea fleet, hitting warships and port infrastructure, we look at Putin’s decision to threaten the seizure of ships belonging to countries seizing shadow fleet vessels keeping the Russian economy afloat, and his decision to visit islands whose ownership is fiercely contested with Japan. Then we bring you the latest Wildberries warehouse attacks, before dedicating the rest of the episode to answering your questions on many subjects relating to the war: on China’s calculus, on disgruntled soldiers returning to Russia, and your feedback on The Odyssey’s message about a new age of warfare and its consequences for the world.

Contributors: 

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Sophie O'Sullivan (Telegraph Journalist).

Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.

Producer: Phil Atkins

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: James England

Social Producer: Anita Blay

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Russia threatens to seize British ships (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/12/russia-threatens-to-seize-british-ships/ 

Zelensky: We need US to sell us 10pc of its Patriots to defend Ukraine (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/13/zelensky-trump-patriot-missiles-ukraine/ 

EU receives €1.4 billion in revenue from immobilised Russian assets to be used for 

supporting Ukraine (EEAS) - https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/ukraine/eu-receives-eur14-billion-revenue-immobilised-russian-assets-be-used-supporting-ukraine_en

Windfall Use of Russia's Frozen Assets (Model Diplomat): https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/windfall-use-russia-frozen-assets

Ukrainian unit reports shortages of food, water on front line, command promises evacuation when 'security situation allows' (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/121st-brigade-soldiers-report-shortages-of-food-water-command-vows-to-evacuate-them-when-security-situation-allows/ 

Russian Embassy Protestors of Ottawa:

https://www.facebook.com/RussianEmbassyProtesters 

Learn more about the Versuvius Challenge:

https://scrollprize.org/ 

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at [email protected]

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on [email protected]. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Ukraine liberates 745 square kilometers
• Putin enrages Japan with 'unacceptable' trip to disputed island

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

Day 1,629

Today, just as Ukraine attacks a naval base, an oil terminal and port infrastructure in the Black Sea, we hear that US Vice President JD Vance asked Kyiv last month to stop drone strikes on oil tankers in the region. Then, we discuss the latest UN briefing about Ukraine’s POWs and civilian detainees imprisoned in Russia, and the horrible conditions they are being held in. Finally, our Russia expert James takes us through Syria’s evolving stance towards Russia and the economic fallout from the Wildberries strikes.

Contributors: 

Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

James Kilner (Russia Analyst). @Jkjourno on X.

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Natalia Makahon

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at [email protected]

Ukraine Stops Reporting Russian Missile Data as Defenses Struggle (Bloomberg)

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-08-11/ukraine-stops-reporting-russia-missile-data-as-defenses-struggle?srnd=homepage-americas

Russian Civilian Deaths Are Growing Rapidly as Ukraine Expands Its Air War (New York Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/11/world/europe/russia-ukraine-civilian-casualties.html

Russian Turns to India to Gasoline and Ukraine Pummels Refineries (Bloomberg)

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-08-12/russia-turns-to-india-for-gasoline-as-ukraine-pummels-refineries

Dom’s visit to a prisoner of war camp in Ukraine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZuemttm2OM 

JD Vance asked Ukraine to halt strikes on tankers using Russian port (Financial Times)

https://www.ft.com/content/725b4d15-bd8d-4083-a04e-db016338af2e?shareType=nongift&syn-25a6b1a6=1

In Russia, wherever Putin goes, gasoline prices fall (Le Monde)

https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2026/08/07/in-russia-wherever-putin-goes-gasoline-prices-fall_6756239_4.html

Behind the Lines: Innocence No Defense for Young Crimean (CEPA)

https://cepa.org/article/behind-the-lines-innocence-no-defense-for-young-crimean/

Russians raid homes of Crimean Tatars and take four women to FSB in Simferopol (Ukrainska Pravda)

https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/10/15/8002814/

Crimea: Persecution of Crimean Tatars Intensifies (Human Rights Watch)

https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/11/14/crimea-persecution-crimean-tatars-intensifies

Crimean Tatar leader: ‘My people and country need defending’ (Hyphen)

https://hyphenonline.com/2024/08/27/my-people-and-country-need-defending-nariman-dzhelyal-ukraine-crimea/

After four years of war, Ukrainian astronomy is battered but unbroken (Scientific American)

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/war-pushes-ukraines-astronomy-to-the-brink/

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on [email protected]. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

•  Black Sea naval base in flames after huge Ukrainian drone attack
• Trump asks Kyiv to limit strikes on oil tankers

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

Day 1,628.

Today, as President Zelensky warns that as many as 50,000 North Korean troops could be preparing to deploy to Russia, we examine what a renewed role for Pyongyang could mean for the war in Ukraine. We also report on Ukraine’s latest strikes against Wildberries, after one of the Russian e-commerce giant’s largest warehouses was set ablaze overnight, as Kyiv continues targeting the logistics infrastructure sustaining Moscow’s war machine. Then we turn to politics inside Russia, where a top Moscow court has barred an opposition anti-war party from standing in September’s elections, offering another glimpse of the Kremlin’s tightening grip on political life. And later, we hear firsthand what life is like in some of Ukraine’s key frontline cities as the war enters a new and potentially dangerous phase, from a journalist who has just returned from the battlefield.

Contributors: 

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Sophie O'Sullivan (Telegraph Journalist). 

With thanks to journalist and author Felicity Spector. @felicityspector on Instagram.

Producer: Phil Atkins

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Felicity’s Book ‘Bread and War’:

https://amzn.eu/d/07Go8UBm 

Learn more about ‘Bake for Ukraine’:

https://bakeforukraine.org/ 

Putin’s war machine scours the home front for recruits (Financial Times):

https://www.ft.com/content/45289802-848f-4fa6-9769-6971b4b69bcc?syn-25a6b1a6=1 

Janis Kluge’s Substack:

https://janiskluge.substack.com/p/russian-recruitment-stabilizes-at 

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at [email protected]

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on [email protected]. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

•  North Korea 'sending 50,000 troops' as its missiles fall on Ukraine
•  Wildberries campaign re-ignites as 156,000m2 warehouse ablaze

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

Day 1,627.

Today, after a weekend that may have seen a record number of drones launched across Ukraine and Russia, we examine what it is actually like to endure a ballistic missile attack – and how different that experience is from a drone barrage. Then, as Kyiv and other cities come under constant bombardment from weapons Ukrainian air defences cannot reliably intercept, we assess the arguments made by some that Ukraine’s increasingly ambitious strikes inside Russia could give Vladimir Putin the pretext he needs to mobilise hundreds of thousands more men. We also answer your questions about what Kyiv can realistically do to solve its missile crisis, revealing why President Donald Trump appears to have reversed course over giving Ukraine the blueprints needed to manufacture Patriot missiles.

Contributors: 

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Antonia Langford (Freelance Journalist in Kyiv). @Antonialford on X.

With thanks to RAND engineer Michael Bohnert. @mbohnert on X.

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Our Community Page can be found on our YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

Interview with Francis on ‘History in the Making’ Podcast:

Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-war-beyond-the-headlines-a-chat/id1752915858?i=1000780259657

Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/episode/1cOPsUP2JrZZOm8WxHFNao?si=L8UjqLVRRqGLxt6DIWrrSQ&utm_source=copy-link&nd=1&dlsi=1b28971d7531463e 

Ukraine: The Latest interview with WHO’s Dr Jarno Habicht: https://youtu.be/1Ujqi91joMU?si=7j0bfvysNICRjwE1&t=1282v 

Russia bombs Odesa’s city centre (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/09/russia-bombs-odesas-historic-city-centre/ 

Zwei Drohnen über Militärstützpunkt in der Eifel gesichtet (Die Zeit, in German)

https://www.zeit.de/politik/deutschland/2026-08/drohnen-mechernich-militaerstuetzpunkt-bundeswehr-nrw 

Germany’s gas gamble puts Europe’s winter at risk (Politico)

https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-gas-reserve-low-europe-winter-energy/ 

Kosovan police load up with weapons on the Serbian border as tensions rise (Danielle Sheridan for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/04/09/kosovan-police-weapons-serbia-border-tensions/ 

Paranoid Putin bans his fake opposition (Antonia Langford for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/08/paranoid-putin-cracks-down-opposition/ 

Russia turns Ukraine’s fallen soldiers into propaganda (Antonia Langford for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/06/russia-turns-ukraines-fallen-soldiers-into-propaganda/ 

‘Ukrainian’ drone explodes near European gas pipeline (Antonia Langford for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/08/ukrainian-drone-explodes-european-gas-pipeline-bulgaria/ 

Ukraine’s audacious attacks may just play into Putin’s hands (The Times)

https://www.thetimes.com/world/russia-ukraine-war/article/ukraine-russia-war-putin-escalation-npp285zgv

Ukraine’s Short-Lived Comeback (The Atlantic)

https://www.theatlantic.com/national-security/2026/08/ukraine-war-zelensky-trump/688203/ 

Spy cameras on Navy drones secretly sent data to China (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/08/09/spy-cameras-on-navy-drones-secretly-sent-data-to-china/ 

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on [email protected]. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Revealed: Why Trump u-turned on Patriot missiles for Ukraine
• Kyiv fires 600+ drones in a single night

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