🎙️Voices From The Front & The Wire Tap, In this episode, Chris Sampson and myself, Shaun Pinner, examine the growing signs that Russia’s logistics network is coming under increasing pressure. From fuel shortages in occupied Crimea and disruptions to the southern corridor, to Ukraine’s long-range strike campaign and rapid drone innovation, we explore how the battlefield is changing.

Drawing on firsthand experience reporting from and living in Ukraine, we discuss why the Kremlin’s increasingly contradictory messaging, and, at times, its silence, may reveal deeper strategic problems. We also examine the impact of modern drone warfare, Belarus’ role in the conflict, and why logistics, not just the front line, could determine the next phase of the war.

Topics include:

* Russia’s logistics and fuel crisis

* Crimea and the southern supply corridor

* Ukraine’s long-range strike campaign

* Drone warfare and military innovation

* Kremlin strategy and information warfare

* Belarus and regional security

* NATO, Western support, and the future of the conflict

If you value independent, on-the-ground reporting from Ukraine, please consider subscribing, sharing this publication, and joining the conversation.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us live and continues to support the channel. Your comments, questions, shares, and subscriptions help independent reporting reach a wider audience.

Join us every Sunday at 21:00 Kyiv time for our live edition of Voices From The Front & The Wire Tap, exclusively on Substack.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shaunpinner.substack.com/subscribe

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shaunpinner.substack.com/subscribe

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shaunpinner.substack.com/subscribe

Russia is escalating.

Ukraine is escalating.

The weapons packages are becoming larger, more complex and increasingly capable.

Yet despite the threats, missile launches and endless nuclear rhetoric, one uncomfortable reality is emerging for the Kremlin:

Russia appears to be running out of options.

In this week’s discussion, filmed after my interview with Ukrainian drone warfare expert Dimko, Chris Sampson and I examine why the battlefield of 2026 looks fundamentally different from the battlefield of 2022, continuing the discussion.

We discuss the growing pressure on Crimea, Ukraine’s campaign against Russian logistics, the vulnerability of the southern land corridor, and why drones are transforming warfare in ways military planners around the world are only beginning to understand.

As Dimko observed during our interview:

“The world now realises you don’t need planes to have another 9/11.”

That single statement captures a much bigger shift taking place across the battlefield.

Russia still possesses enormous military power, but its ability to achieve meaningful strategic victories appears increasingly limited. Crimea remains central to the conflict, Russian logistics are under sustained pressure, and Moscow’s traditional threats no longer seem to carry the same weight they once did.

Which leaves one question hanging over the war:

If Russia cannot achieve its objectives, yet refuses to abandon them, where does it escalate next?

Thank you It’s Time 🇺🇦, Donna Dupont, HoldingTheLine(HTL), PaulM, Debórah, and many others for tuning into our live video! Join us for our next live video in the app.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shaunpinner.substack.com/subscribe

🎙️Voices From The Front | In this episode, I sit down with Dimko Zhluktenko, soldier, author, drone warfare expert and founder of Dzygaspaw

Known for his insights into modern warfare and Ukraine’s drone revolution, Dimko reflects on a journey that began far from the battlefield. From the digital nomad lifestyle and running one of Ukraine’s most successful volunteer initiatives, to serving in uniform and helping shape the future of warfare, this is the story of an ordinary man thrust into extraordinary circumstances.

We discuss family life during wartime, the evolution of drone warfare, Russia’s recruitment challenges, the battle for Crimea, NATO’s lessons from Ukraine, information warfare, and the sacrifices required to defend freedom.

Most importantly, we explore the human side of war, the difficult choices, personal costs and unwavering commitment of those who chose to stay and fight for Ukraine’s future.

Freedom isn’t free. Dimko explains why.

Dimko’s Book - Ordinary Guy At War : A Ukrainian’s Journey

Dimko’s Organization - https://dzygaspaw.com/about

Mike thanks to Chris Sampson of The Wire Tap for assisting with production.

#VoicesFromTheFront #Ukraine #DroneWarfare #Dimko #UkraineWar #TheWireTap #ChrisSampson

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shaunpinner.substack.com/subscribe

AZOV WAS NEVER NAZIS | Live with Former Congressman Adam Kinzinger & Shaun Pinner

In this episode of Voices from the Front, I sit down with former U.S. Congressman Adam Kinzinger for a wide-ranging conversation on Ukraine, modern warfare, Russian propaganda, and one of the most persistent myths of the war: the narrative surrounding Azov.

Drawing on my own experience serving with Azov in Mariupol between 2018 and 2020, we examine how a unit of roughly 2,000 personnel became the centrepiece of a Russian information campaign used to justify the invasion of Ukraine. We discuss what Azov actually was, how the reality differed from the narrative, and why that misinformation continues to influence Western audiences today.

We also explore:

▪️ My journey from the British Army to Ukraine and life in Mariupol before the full-scale invasion▪️ The defence of Mariupol and my experience in Russian captivity▪️ How drone warfare has transformed the battlefield since 2022▪️ Ukraine's growing ability to strike deep inside Russia▪️ Operation Spiderweb and the future of modern warfare▪️ Why Ukraine has seized the initiative after a difficult period in 2025▪️ Crimea, the southern land corridor and the path to ending the war▪️ The Russian economy, military losses and mounting pressure on the Kremlin▪️ The view of America from Ukraine and the impact of shifting Western politics▪️ Why Ukrainians continue to demand justice, not simply peace

Adam also shares his perspective on U.S. support for Ukraine, the changing nature of the conflict, and why many of the assumptions made at the start of the war have proven dramatically wrong.

A candid and often personal discussion about war, resilience, propaganda, and the realities of living through Europe's largest conflict since World War II.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shaunpinner.substack.com/subscribe

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shaunpinner.substack.com/subscribe

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shaunpinner.substack.com/subscribe

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shaunpinner.substack.com/subscribe

🎙️Voices From The Front & The Wire Tap – Sunday Edition – Missile Attacks

In this powerful Sunday Edition of Voices From The Front & The Wire Tap, Shaun Pinner and Chris Sampson broadcast live from Ukraine as air raid sirens, missile threats and Russian drone attacks continue across Kyiv and Dnipro.

The episode covers the reality of life under bombardment, including discussions surrounding Russia’s latest missile strikes, Shahed drones, Zircon missiles, alleged Oreshnik launches and the ongoing pressure placed on Ukrainian air defences. Shaun and Chris break down the growing escalation, frontline realities and how civilians continue to endure constant terror attacks targeting cities and infrastructure.

The conversation then shifts to one of the most disturbing topics of the war: Russian captivity, torture and POW testimonies. Following attendance at the “Made in Russia, Delivered to Captivity” conference in Kyiv, Shaun reflects on hearing firsthand accounts from Ukrainian prisoners of war, survivors of Russian detention and victims of systematic torture.

Topics include:• POW torture testimonies from Russian captivity• Russian war crimes and systemic abuse allegations• Foreign volunteers captured by Russia• The role of the Red Cross, UN and international organisations• Missile attacks on Kyiv and Dnipro• Ukraine air defence and frontline realities• Russian propaganda and information warfare• Life during air raid sirens in Ukraine• Mariupol, Azov and captivity experiences• Ongoing prisoner exchanges and international pressure

Featuring Shaun Pinner, former British-Ukrainian Marine and Mariupol defender, alongside journalist and commentator Chris Sampson in Kyiv.

Subscribe for frontline reporting, uncensored discussion and real-time perspectives from inside Ukraine.

Thank you It’s Time 🇺🇦, Richard, Sheryl, PaulM, Laura K, and many others for tuning into our live video with Chris Sampson & myself! Join us for our next live video in the app. on Friday.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shaunpinner.substack.com/subscribe