Day 1,055 Today, as Kyiv captures its first North Korean soldiers alive, we return to the pivotal question of the Russian economy's fragility and later speak to Ukrainian actors who have recreated their own experience of the war. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist & Narrative Podcast Producer). @adeliepjz on X. Content Referenced: Ukr...
Jan 13, 2025•47 min
Day 1,052 Today, as top diplomat Kaja Kallas claims the EU will be ready to step into the breach if the US withdraws support for Ukraine, we discuss the latest weapon donations at Ramstein and include a dispatch from Kyiv at a drone workshop. Contributors: Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist & narrative podcast producer). @adeliepjz on X. Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. Content Re...
Jan 10, 2025•50 min
Day 1,051. Today, in a significant day in both the military and political realms, we discuss Trump’s new plans to end the war within the next 100 days, reports that Moscow paid for American and coalition troops killed in Afghanistan, and hear live from Syria. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Hamish de-Bretton Gordon (Chemical Weapons Expert and Former Tank Commander). @...
Jan 09, 2025•58 min
Day 1,050. Today, as the new Ukrainian offensive in Kursk continues, we discuss the evolving picture in that region, look at the latest developments in unmanned aerial and land warfare, and fears superbugs spawned in war could spark the next pandemic. Contributors: Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. Arthur Scott Geddes (Deputy Global Health Editor). @ascottgeddes on X. Michael Bohnert ...
Jan 08, 2025•59 min
Day 1,049. Today, as Ukrainian forces continue to expand their lodgement inside Russia, we hear how a Ukrainian F-16 pilot shot down six Russian cruise missiles. We also have an interview with General The Lord Dannatt, former head of the British Army. Contributors: Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. With thanks to our guest General The Lord Dannatt, former head of the British Army. Epi...
Jan 07, 2025•1 hr
Day 1,048. Today, we discuss breaking news of a surprise counterattack in Kursk and its implications, consider how Kyiv is positioning itself before Trump's inauguration, and discuss the elections upcoming in Europe in 2025. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Hamish De Bretton-Gordon (Former British Army Tank Commander). @HamishDBG on X James Rothwell (Berlin Corresp...
Jan 06, 2025•44 min
Day 1,045. Today, after the latest updates from the battlefield, we hear about the cutting edge drones being used to wage war against Moscow's forces, and the moral conundrums they raise. Plus, we consider the state of the Russian economy as we enter 2025. Contributors: Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. Francis Farrell (Report, The Kyiv Independent). @francisjfarrell on X. Content ref...
Jan 03, 2025•54 min
Day 1,044. Today, we look at the likely military innovations and political events in the year to come. We also report on Russia's decisions to ban crypto-currency mining to preserve its energy grid and to charge nightclub attendees for trying to arouse interest in non-traditional relations. How portentous will 2025 be for Russia? Contributors: Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. Content...
Jan 02, 2025•45 min
Today, in a special short episode recorded in the frontline city of Kharkiv, Francis Dearnley interviews a woman who had to flee her home "the day the Russians came", and how life for her and her relatives has been changed forever. Recorded by Adélie Pojzman-Pontay and Jack Leather. Edited by James Shield. Video of Kharkiv Dispatch with Francis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gi20lWX4Fyk Donate to David's charity: This Christmas, the Telegraph is honouring the life and work of our late colleagu...
Dec 31, 2024•11 min
Day 1,041 Today, we report how Azerbaijan's President accuses Russia of trying to "hush up" Moscow's responsibility for the doomed jet and we hear about a new Fellowship in the name of Ukrainian writer and friend to the podcast, Victoria Amelina. Contributors: Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Dr Sasha Dovzhyk (Director of Index Ukraine). @sasha_weirdsley on X. Links: Victoria Amelina Fellowship: https://www.index-ukraine.org/news/victoria-amelina-fello...
Dec 30, 2024•44 min
Day 1,038 Today, we look at Russia’s Christmas day attack and the highly suspicious crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane, and we interview a former beautician based in Kharkiv, who decided to train as an explosive ordnance specialist after the war began. Contributors: Venetia Rainey (Co-host Battle Lines podcast). @venetiarainey on X. Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). @FrancisDearnley on X. Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist & narrative podcast producer). @ad...
Dec 27, 2024•34 min
Today, in a special episode recorded before his death, David Knowles attends a football match in Ukraine, exploring how 'the beautiful game' has served as an anchor in a country at war. Produced by Rachel Porter. Donate to David's charity: This Christmas, the Telegraph is honouring the life and work of our late colleague David Knowles by working with Humanity & Inclusion, a charity helping the ill, vulnerable and disabled left behind in Ukraine’s warzones. You c...
Dec 24, 2024•31 min
Day 1,034 Today, in addition to military and political updates, we report speculations about potential offensives over the New Year period, and feature an interview we did in Kharkiv with a lady who lived under Russian occupation. Then, we end with music in David's memory. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). @FrancisDearnley on X. Venetia Rainey (Co-host Battle Lines podcast). @venetiarainey on X. Video of Kharkiv Dispatch with Francis: https://www.youtube...
Dec 23, 2024•42 min
Day 1,031 Today, as Kyiv comes under renewed intense bombardment, we speculate over a possible Russian advance in the South, and later, we interview a blind lawyer in Kharkiv. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor, Defence). @DomNicholls on X. With thanks to Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist & narrative podcast producer). @adeliepjz on X. Donate to David's charity: This Christmas, the Telegraph is honour...
Dec 20, 2024•54 min
Day : 1,030 Today, as continued attacks on civilians in the Kherson area suggest Russia’s so-called 'human safari' is ongoing, we report on Putin’s annual press conference, where he said Russia had ‘reached all its goals’ in Syria. Then, our latest dispatch from the frontline city of Kharkiv. Contributors: Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor, Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). @FrancisDearnley on X. Hamish de Bretton Gordon (Former Tank Commander). @HamishDB...
Dec 19, 2024•54 min
Day 1,029. Today, as the fallout from the assassination in Moscow of General Kirillov continues, we report on the environmental damage being wrought along Russia’s Black Sea coast following the loss of shadow-fleet tankers and examine the possible poisoning of the mother of Russian opposition activist Vladimir Kara-Murza. Contributors: Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. James Kilner (Foreign Correspondent). @jkjourno on X. Daniel Hardaker (Foreign Correspondent). ...
Dec 18, 2024•42 min
Day 1,028. Today, we react to the news that the Russian general in charge of the military’s nuclear and chemical weapons division has been assassinated in a scooter bomb attack, we hear live from the Joint Expeditionary Force summit in Estonia, and we hear our latest dispatch from the frontline city of Kharkiv. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Hamish De Bretton-Gordon (Former ...
Dec 17, 2024•53 min
Day 1,027. Today, as video evidence emerges of North Korean troops in combat, in a special episode we hear a report David Knowles recorded before his death which looks deeper into the question of Pyongyang’s early involvement in this war, and hear about the charity we are fundraising for this year, in David’s memory. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalis...
Dec 16, 2024•1 hr 8 min
Day 1,024. Today, amid renewed Russian bombardments across the entirety of Ukraine, we consider the impact of new weapons of war. Then, our first formal dispatch from the frontline city of Kharkiv. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). @FrancisDearnley on X. Michael Bohnert (Engineer & Researcher, RAND Corporation). @mbohnert on X. With thanks to Oleh Synyehubov, Governor of Kharkiv Oblast. Articles Referenced: ‘A brilliant journalist and brilliant human b...
Dec 13, 2024•58 min
Day 1,023. Today, as Russian forces seek to capitalise near Pokrovsk, we consider the reasons for a drop in Russian air strikes, and hear about an extraordinary case of alleged Kremlin spycraft. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). @FrancisDearnley on X. James Kilner (Moscow Desk). @jkjourno on X. Hayley Dixon (Special Correspondent). @haylesdixon on X. Content Referenced: Russian spy ring leader described honeytrap agent as a ‘true sexy bitch’, court hears https://www.tele...
Dec 12, 2024•39 min
Day 1,022. Today, Kyiv says it has enough money and weapons to resist Russia until mid-2025, and an interview with a rising star in President Zelensky's party. Contributors: Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Hamish de Bretton Gordon (Former Tank Commander). @HamishDBG on X. Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). @FrancisDearnley on X. With special thanks to our guest Dmytro Natalukha @DmytroNatalukha on X. Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegra...
Dec 11, 2024•1 hr 15 min
Day 1,021. Today, we consider the huge ramifications for Russia of the loss of its naval bases and influence over Syria, and look once again to the subject of war crimes and the kidnapping of Ukrainian children. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). @FrancisDearnley on X. Joe Barnes (Brussels Correspondent). @barnes_joe on X. Con Coughlin (Defence and Foreign Affairs Editor). Nathanial A Raymond (Executive Director of the Humanitarian Research Lab at the Yale Schoo...
Dec 10, 2024•57 min
Day 1,020. Today, following historic, impromptu meetings at the reopening of Notre-Dame in Paris - including between President Zelensky and President-elect Trump - we dig into the significance of Bashar al Assad's fall for Russia and Ukraine. And we interview author Jacob Heilbrunn about why some on the political right are sometimes attracted to the easy answers that dictators provide. Contributors: Venetia Rainey (Co-host Battle Lines podcast). @venetiarainey on X. Francis ...
Dec 09, 2024•1 hr 2 min
Day 1,017. Today, as Kyiv forces launch a fresh assault in Kursk and capture Russian soldiers, we hear the mood in the combat zone of the Donbas, as Zelensky’s right-hand man Yermak tours Washington to speak to Trump’s team. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Tom Mutch (Freelance Journalist). @Tomthescribe on X. Ed Cumming (Senior Feature Writer). @edcumming on X....
Dec 06, 2024•53 min
Day 1,016. Today, as Odesa faces renewed attacks down on the coast, we lead with the downfall of a multi billion pound Russian money laundering system, and interview the front man of Ukraine's most famous and influential rock band, Okean Elzy. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Roland Oliphant (Senior Foreign Correspondent). @RolandOliph...
Dec 05, 2024•1 hr 3 min
Day 1,015. As the NATO Foreign Ministers meeting ends in Brussels with no invitation for Ukraine to join, we interview Andrei Yermak, adviser to President Zelensky. Contributors: Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). @FrancisDearnley on X. Roland Oliphant (Senior Foreign Correspondent). @RolandOliphant on X. With thanks to our special guest, Andrei Yermak, adviser to President Zelensky. Conten...
Dec 04, 2024•1 hr 4 min
Day 1,014. Today, on its 30th anniversary, we look at the myopic approach to the Budapest Treaty and its far-reaching effects on present-day Ukraine, and we discuss the extraordinary events of recent days in Syria, with massive ramifications for Russia's influence in the region. Contributors: Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). @FrancisDearnley on X. Hamish De Bretton-Gordon (Former British ...
Dec 03, 2024•48 min
Day 1,013. Today, we report on the dramatic shift in rhetoric from President Zelensky towards any future peace deal, and hear about Ukraine’s 'mobilisation police' and the effect they are having among young Ukrainian men. Contributors: Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Joe Barnes (Brussels Correspondent). @Barnes_Joe on X. With thanks to Anna Conkling (Journalist). @ConklingAnna on X. Content referenced: ‘Like dealing with cornered rats’: The men w...
Dec 02, 2024•41 min
Day 1,010. Today, amid more drone strikes by Russia targeting Ukraine, we get the view from Tbilisi on last night's protests against Georgia's pro-Kremlin government. We also have a fascinating interview with Estonia's Foreign Minister, Margus Tsahkna, about Donald Trump and how he could be the Churchill of our times. Contributors: Venetia Rainey (Co-host Battle Lines podcast). @venetiarainey on X. Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. With...
Nov 29, 2024•1 hr 3 min
Day 1,009. Today, we hear who Donald Trump has named as his envoy to Ukraine and we have an exclusive interview with former British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson. Contributors: Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). @FrancisDearnley on X. With thanks to our very special guest, former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. His memoir, 'Unleashed', is available here: https://harpercollins.co.uk/products/unleashed-bor...
Nov 28, 2024•1 hr
