🎙️ Voices from the Front — Russia’s war against Ukraine is entering a critical phase, and Vladimir Putin is under immense strain at home and abroad. In this powerful interview, I sit down with Cormac Smith, a former British diplomat and expert on international affairs, to break down the forces shaping today’s conflict and where it might all lead. Cormac brings a rare insider perspective on diplomacy, disinformation, and how leaders across Europe and beyond are interpreting the war. Together, we tackle the big questions about Putin’s position, his desperate projection of strength, and the future of Ukraine.

What We Discuss in This Episode:

🔹 Putin’s projection of strength – how the Kremlin’s image of control masks deep cracks: battlefield failures, a fractured economy, disillusioned elites, and open dissent from figures like Igor Girkin.

🔹 The pressure cooker effect – mounting strikes on Russian oil refineries, the crippling impact of Western sanctions, and how this feeds instability inside Russia.

🔹 Putin in Beijing – the significance of his visit to China, what it reveals about Russia’s dependency on Beijing, and whether this alliance can last.

🔹 Ukraine hitting back – from deep-strike drone attacks on refineries to Special Operations Forces dismantling S-400 systems, Ukraine is proving it can push Russia further onto the defensive.

🔹 Domestic pressures – how over a million casualties, conscription issues, and protests are forcing Putin to double down on repression while selling illusions of strength to his population.

🔹 The bigger picture – Igor Girkin’s prison letters, NATO’s evolving posture,

Trump’s rhetoric, and whether appeasement by Western leaders risks giving Putin oxygen to continue his genocidal war.

About Cormac Smith Cormac Smith is a former UK diplomat with extensive experience advising governments, including Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. His insights cut through political spin, offering a clear picture of what’s at stake not only for Ukraine but for the entire democratic world. Why This Matters Putin has failed to achieve his primary goals in Ukraine. Instead of peace, he has escalated the war, creating distractions and projecting false strength to maintain his grip on power. The world faces a choice: continue appeasement and watch aggression grow, or stand firmly with Ukraine to ensure justice, accountability, and security for Europe and beyond. This conversation with Cormac Smith is essential listening for anyone who wants to understand the forces shaping the next phase of this war.

My Work & How You Can Support

📖 Read my book: Live. Fight. Survive: https://shaunpinner.com/

UK & International: https://amzn.to/3QdqTGy

Ukraine: https://kniga.biz.ua/book/LiveFightSurvive

🎥 Watch more episodes: Believers, Killers & Runaways

Captured

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🎙️Voices from the Front - In Part Two of my conversation with Brahim Saadoun, we go deeper into what happened after the headlines faded — the months in Russian captivity, the mockery of justice that followed, and the psychological scars left by a system designed to break the human spirit.

Brahim opens up about life inside a Russian prison, the so-called “trial” that sentenced him to death, and the moment he realized the world was watching. We also talk about what came next — his eventual release, the ongoing restrictions he faces in Morocco, and the long shadow of Kremlin influence that still haunts him today.

This isn’t just a story about survival; it’s about identity, propaganda, and the cost of standing up for freedom.Real stories. Real people. Voices from the Front.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube🔗 Subscribe on Substack for exclusive updates, early access, and behind-the-scenes stories.

🎙️ Voices from the Front — with Brahim Saadoun & Shaun Pinner

A powerful conversation between two former prisoners of war, united by survival and purpose. Shaun Pinner and Brahim Saadoun share their first-hand experiences of captivity under Russian forces, their reflections on resilience, and their mission to expose the truth behind Putin’s war. Honest, raw, and deeply human, this is a dialogue about endurance, justice, and what it means to keep fighting long after the battlefield.

Brahim Saadoun — Still Stuck in Morocco

After surviving Russian captivity, my friend and fellow defender of Ukraine, Brahim Saadoun, now faces another kind of imprisonment, this time, a bureaucratic one.

Despite his bravery and the ordeal he endured as a Ukrainian soldier taken prisoner by Russian forces, Brahim remains stuck in Morocco, unable to return to Ukraine or continue his education and advocacy. Political pressure, paperwork, and diplomatic silence have left him stranded, free, but not free to move forward.

We talk about resilience, survival, and freedom a lot on this podcast. But Brahim’s situation is a reminder that freedom doesn’t always come when the war ends. Sometimes, it’s the system that holds you hostage.

He deserves better.