Day 261. Today, Ukrainian soldiers are warmly welcomed to Kherson city amid jubilant scenes marking the end of more than eight months of Russian occupation. Pictures of Ukrainian flags being raised in the centre of the city are being posted on social media a month after Vladimir Putin claimed sovereignty over the Kherson region in southern Ukraine. The Kremlin insisted Kherson was still part of Russia after announcing it had withdrawn all its troops and equipment from the city in the...
Nov 11, 2022•1 hr 8 min
Day 260. Today, after Russia announces its retreat from Kherson city, we discuss the implications of what some are calling the most significant moment in the war since the Ukrainian counteroffensive began. But is this really the triumph it appears - a damning defeat for Russian forces? Or is there more to it than meets the eye? Contributors: David Knowles (Host). Follow David on Twitter @DjKnowles22. Roland Oliphant (Senior Reporter). Follow Roland on Twitter @RolandOliphant. J...
Nov 10, 2022•52 min
Day 259. Today, we discuss updates from across the war zone; analyse the latest diplomatic news from the U.S. and Europe; and we speak about the rise and development of Russian fascism with historian Dr Ian Garner. Contributors: David Knowles (Host). Follow David on Twitter @DjKnowles22. Dom Nicholls (Associate Editor, Defence). Follow Dom on Twitter @DomNicholls. Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). Follow Francis on Twitter @FrancisDearnley. With thanks to Dr Ia...
Nov 09, 2022•51 min
Day 258. Today, we discuss the brutal fighting in the centre of Ukraine; analyse the emergence from the shadows of Yevgeny Prigozhin and his mercenary army, the Wagner group; and Dom Nicholls takes us through the principles of a good defence as the Russian army digs-in, in the South. Contributors: David Knowles (Host). Follow David on Twitter @DjKnowles22. Dom Nicholls (Associate Editor, Defence). Follow Dom on Twitter @DomNicholls. Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). ...
Nov 08, 2022•53 min
Day 257. Today, as well as the latest updates from Ukraine, we look at the story of how the citizens of Kryvyi Rih saved their city from Russian forces in the early days of the invasion and dive into the issues facing both sides in the air war and ask what the West needs to do to support Ukraine. Contributors: David Knowles (Host). Follow David on Twitter @DjKnowles22. Dom Nicholls (Associate Editor, Defence). Follow Dom on Twitter @DomNicholls. Joe Barnes (Brussels Corres...
Nov 07, 2022•59 min
Day 254. Today, we bring you the latest news from Kherson & discuss what the suspected deployment of Russian ‘barrier troops’ (that’s troops from your own side that shoot you if you run away) means for Russia’s fighting ability and morale. Plus, we unpack the impact of Elon Musk's Twitter takeover and what that could mean on the war against disinformation. And finally, David interviews Ievgenni Slavnyi, a lieutenant in the Armed Forces of Ukraine - Eugene was a journalist for many years...
Nov 04, 2022•1 hr 16 min
Day 253. Today we discuss some of the early news filtering out of Kherson, worrying news from the ZNPP and we look closer at recent stories from Germany with Dr Thomas Clausen. It’s worth noting that some of the stories we discuss at the beginning of the episode are fast moving and unfolded as we were recording today, we’ll bring you more information tomorrow. Contributors: David Knowles (Host). Follow David on Twitter @DjKnowles22. Dom Nicholls (Associate Editor, Defence...
Nov 03, 2022•57 min
Day 252. Today we look at the latest updates from Ukraine, discuss Russia’s re-entry into the Grain Deal and analyse the impact of the war on European, Ukrainian and Russian energy security and resilience. Contributors: David Knowles (Host). Follow David on Twitter @DjKnowles22. Dom Nicholls (Associate Editor, Defence). Follow Dom on Twitter @DomNicholls. With thanks to Dionis Cenusa. Email: [email protected] See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California...
Nov 02, 2022•44 min
Day 251. Today we discuss the impact of Russia’s strikes on energy and civilian infrastructure, preview the American mid term elections a week before the US goes to the polls and reflect further on the daring attack on the Russian Black Sea fleet in Sevastopol. Contributors: David Knowles (Host). Follow David on Twitter @DjKnowles22. Joe Barnes (Brussels Correspondent). Rozina Sabur (Washington Editor). Hamish de Bretton-Gordon (Former commander of UK & NATO CBRN Forces). E...
Nov 01, 2022•1 hr 4 min
Day 250. Today, we discuss Monday morning’s massive missile strikes against Ukrainian cities that left thousands of people without electricity and water, analyse the impact of Russia’s exit from the Black Sea Grain Deal and report on the Ukrainian attack on the Black Sea Fleet on Saturday. Contributors: David Knowles (Host). Follow David on Twitter @DjKnowles22. Dom Nicholls (Associate Editor, Defence). Follow Dom on Twitter @DomNicholls. Katie O'Neill (Assistant Foreign Editor...
Oct 31, 2022•1 hr 3 min
Day 247. Today, we speak to Anna Virtsan, a Kyiv native and previous guest on the podcast about how people in the city are living through the blackouts caused by Russian drone and missile strikes. Plus, we discuss the news that Russian troops have stolen the bones of Grigory Potemkin, the 18th-century prince, from a grave in Kherson. Contributors: David Knowles (Host). Follow David on Twitter @DjKnowles22. Daniel Capurro (Senior Reporter). Follow Daniel on Twi...
Oct 28, 2022•43 min
Day 246. Today, we discuss Russia’s nuclear strike simulations overseen by President Putin; look at how the Russian state is tightening the screw on dissenters; and our China correspondent, Sophia Yan, gives her take on Xi Jinping’s approach to the conflict, after months of looking into his life story. Contributors: David Knowles (Host). Follow David on Twitter @DjKnowles22. Nataliya Vasilyeva (Russia Correspondent). Follow Nataliya on Twitter @Nat_Vasilyeva. Sophia Yan (...
Oct 27, 2022•43 min
Day 245. Today, we investigate what appears to be growing internal opposition to Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, get the latest from the ongoing battle for Kherson and hear from our reporter on the ground in Kyiv , where life continues under constant threat of missile strikes. Contributors: Claire Hubble (Host). Follow Claire on Twitter @ b yclairehubble Dom Nicholls (Associate Editor, Defence). Follow Dom on Twitter @DomNicholls. Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor)....
Oct 26, 2022•52 min
Day 244. Today, we talk about the latest tactical updates from the front, look at the debate in the Democratic Party in the United States on the country’s support for Ukraine, and we hear the shocking account of life in Russian captivity from Colin Freeman who interviewed two recently released American volunteers, who were captured by Russian forces. Today's episode contains descriptions of torture. Read Colin's interview here: ‘Our Russian captors electrocuted us – and they liked the job’ Contr...
Oct 25, 2022•57 min
Day 243. Today, Russia attempts to form a militia in Kherson while evacuating much of its forces from the city, we discuss the warnings of a ‘dirty bomb’ attack & we hear from our Senior Economics reporter, who’s just back from a reporting trip to Germany, to hear how sanctions and the energy crisis are affecting German industry and support for Ukraine. Contributors: David Knowles (Host). Follow David on Twitter @djknowles22 Dom Nicholls (Associate Editor, Defence). Follow ...
Oct 24, 2022•1 hr 5 min
Day 240 Today, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accuses Russia of planting mines at a hydroelectric dam in near Kherson, we look in detail at the the diplomacy and technicalities of the September run in a British spy plane had with Russian fighter jets and we talk about what life is like for a soldier in Winter. Contributors: David Knowles (Host). Follow David on Twitter @djknowles22 Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). Follow Francis on Twitter @FrancisDear...
Oct 21, 2022•59 min
Day 239 Today, Francis Dearnley and David Knowles speak to Journalist Sergio Olmos, who’s been on the ground in southern Ukraine speaking to soldiers and civilians as Ukraine forces advance towards Kherson. Starting the recording at 1pm, they also tracked today’s extraordinary events in Westminster and ask what the resignation of Liz Truss means for British support for Ukraine. Contributors: David Knowles (Host). Follow David on Twitter @djknowles22 Francis Dearnley (Assistant Commen...
Oct 20, 2022•52 min
Day 238. Today, we examine the evolving situation on the ground in Kherson as Russia braces for a Ukrainian attack on the occupied city. Plus we discuss a number of important diplomatic updates from around the world and speak to Ukrainian businesswoman Olga Shapovalova about the world of business and start-ups during the Russian invasion. Contributors: David Knowles (Host). Follow David on Twitter @djknowles22 Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). Follow Francis on...
Oct 19, 2022•46 min
Day 237. Today, we discuss the latest strikes on the Ukrainian capital, discuss the delicate diplomatic relationship between Russia and Israel and ask why Russia is attacking Ukrainian energy infrastructure. Contributors: David Knowles (Host). Follow David on Twitter @djknowles22 Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). Follow Francis on Twitter @FrancisDearnley. James Rothwell (Middle East Editor ). Follow James on Twitter @JamesERothwell Email: podcasts@...
Oct 18, 2022•40 min
Day 236. Today, we look at the geopolitical implications after Russian kamikaze drones and missiles strike Kyiv, thousands of Russian troops head to Belarus and Roland Oliphant discusses his recent visit to the front line city of Bakhmut in Donetsk. Contributors: David Knowles (Host). Follow David on Twitter @djknowles22 Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). Follow Francis on Twitter @FrancisDearnley. James Kilner (Correspondent). Follow James on Twitter @jkjourno....
Oct 17, 2022•1 hr 4 min
Day 233. Today, as France breaks away from the West’s policy of nuclear ‘ambiguity’ in response to Putin’s threats, we discuss the latest developments in Ukraine and beyond. Plus, the Telegraph's Defence Editor Danielle Sheridan speaks to Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, Chief of Defence Staff, about Nord Stream pipeline sabotage. Contributors: Claire Hubble (Host). Follow Claire on Twitter @byclairehubble. Roland Oliphant (Senior Foreign Correspondent). Follow Roland on Twitter ...
Oct 14, 2022•58 min
Day 232. Today, we discuss Moscow’s threat of ‘’WWIII' if Ukraine is admitted to Nato, and delve into the Ramstein group’s pledge to boost Ukraine’s missile defence. Contributors: Claire Hubble (Host). Follow Claire on Twitter @byclairehubble. Dom Nicholls (Associate Editor, Defence). Follow Dom on Twitter @DomNicholls. Roland Oliphant (Senior Foreign Correspondent). Follow Roland on Twitter @RolandOliphant. Email: [email protected] See Privacy Policy at https://art19.co...
Oct 13, 2022•45 min
Day 231. Today, as the world continues to react to the Russian bombardment of Ukrainian cities, we hear from our Senior Reporter in the Donbas, and look deeper into the mysterious Wagner group. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Host & Assistant Comment Editor). Follow Francis on Twitter @FrancisDearnley. Dom Nicholls (Associate Editor, Defence). Follow Dom on Twitter @DomNicholls. Nataliya Vasilyeva (Russia Correspondent). Follow Nataliya on Twitter @Nat_Vasilyeva. Rola...
Oct 12, 2022•59 min
Day 230. Today, we discuss Russia’s continued missile strikes across Ukraine and get the view on the ground in Kyiv the day after the city was rocked by fresh shelling. Contributors: Claire Hubble (Host). Follow Claire on Twitter @byclairehubble. Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). Follow Francis on Twitter @FrancisDearnley. Joe Barnes (Brussels Correspondent). Follow Joe on Twitter @Barnes_Joe. Nataliya Vasilyeva (Russia Correspondent). Follow Nataliya on Twitter @Nat...
Oct 11, 2022•56 min
Day 229. Today, we discuss Putin’s ongoing escalation of strikes against Ukraine, following damage to a key bridge linking Crimea and Russia in an explosion on Saturday, October 8th. The team dig into why the Kerch bridge is so important to Putin and what his furious response means. Contributors: Claire Hubble (Host). Follow Claire on Twitter @byclairehubble. Dom Nicholls (Associate Editor, Defence). Follow Dom on Twitter @DomNicholls. James Kilner (Correspondent). Follow James on Twi...
Oct 10, 2022•52 min
Day 226. Today, as well as looking at updates from across the battlefront, we speak to Matthew Harries, Director, Proliferation and Nuclear Policy at the defence and security think tank RUSI, to discuss and analyse the rising nuclear tensions between Russia and the West. Contributors: David Knowles (Host). Follow David on Twitter @djknowles22. Dom Nicholls (Associate Editor, Defence). Follow Dom on Twitter @DomNicholls. Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). Follow ...
Oct 07, 2022•56 min
Day 225. Today, we discuss the latest updates from Zaporizhzhia and we speak to journalist Farida Roustamova who’s been talking to members of Russia’s elite and gauging their attitudes to the war and Putin’s handling of it. Contributors: David Knowles (Host). Follow David on Twitter @djknowles22. Dom Nicholls (Associate Editor, Defence). Follow Dom on Twitter @DomNicholls. Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). Follow Francis on Twitter @FrancisDearnley. With thanks ...
Oct 06, 2022•59 min
Day 224 Today, we discuss the latest updates from the battlefront as fierce fighting rages across Ukraine. We also hear about the situation in the north as our Senior Foreign Correspondent Roland Oliphant calls in from Kharkiv. And we discuss our Russia Correspondent Nataliya Vasileya’s fascinating interview with a newly mobilised Russian soldier, the first of which to appear in the Western press. Contributors: David Knowles (Host). Follow David on Twitter @djknowles22 Dom Nicholls (...
Oct 05, 2022•1 hr 1 min
Russia retreats in Kherson, mobilisation chaos and the problem with Elon Musk's 'peace plan' Day 223 Today, we discuss the latest updates from the warzone as the Ukrainian army pushes Russian troops back in Kherson - we also analyse European energy security as Autumn descends across the continent and discuss some of the revealing reactions to tweets by Tesla founder Elon Musk. Contributors: David Knowles (Host). Follow David on Twitter @djknowles22 Francis Dearnley (Assistant Co...
Oct 04, 2022•53 min
Day 222 Today, we discuss the latest updates from the warzone, looking at the advances made by Ukraine in Kherson, Zaporizhzhia. and Donetsk and we speak to Dr Sasha Dovzhyk about Nuclear threats, the sham referenda and Ukrainian literary culture. Contributors: David Knowles (Host). Follow David on Twitter @djknowles22 Dom Nicholls (Associate Editor, Defence). Follow Dom on Twitter @DomNicholls. Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). Follow Francis on Twitter @FrancisDearnley. ...
Oct 03, 2022•57 min
