Please note: this episode was recorded before the extraordinary events at the White House on Friday afternoon. Day 1,101. Today, we return to Kursk, Russia, where fighting has intensified, consider the outcomes of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s vital visit to Washington, and hear the latest update on resistance in the occupied territories. Plus, we hear from Colin Freeman, who visits a former nuclear weapon facility in Ukraine. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). ...
Feb 28, 2025•56 min
Day 1,100. Today, amid more drone strikes on Ukraine and North Korea deploying new troops, we return to what some are calling one of the most significant weeks of diplomacy since the Second World War, as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s attempts to persuade the President to provide a security “backstop” for Ukraine. Later, we hear a training exercise involving British and Ukrainian troops, and hear the latest on kidnapped children. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio)...
Feb 27, 2025•55 min
Day 1,099. Today, we delve into Russia's expanding drone production and the arrival of a North Korean delegation in Moscow. On the political front, we explore the complex minerals deal and the challenging negotiations surrounding security guarantees. Later, we engage with experts to discuss the deteriorating state of Russia's nuclear arsenal. Contributors: Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist and Producer). @adeliepjz on X. Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Francis ...
Feb 26, 2025•57 min
Day 1,098. Today, we talk about a Ukrainian attack in the Zaporizhia Oblast and more hits on Russia’s Ryazan oil refinery. We also discuss Keir Starmer’s announcement to increase defence spending, President Macron’s visit to Washington, and the possibility that France could use its nuclear deterrent force to help protect Europe. Later, we sit down with Dmytro Kuleba - the former Foreign Minister of Ukraine from 2020 to 2024 - for an exclusive interview. Contributors: Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journ...
Feb 25, 2025•1 hr 3 min
Day 1,097. Today, we mark the third anniversary of the full scale invasion. We hear live from Kyiv - where world leaders are gathering - talk about Ukraine’s announcement to produce missiles - including ballistic missiles - and make sense of what the German election result means for Ukraine. We also hear from what it was like at Number 10 on the day of the invasion from Boris Johnson's former speech writer, and hear an exclusive interview with the former prime minister, also in Kyiv for the anni...
Feb 24, 2025•1 hr 8 min
Day 1,094. Today, we hear how Washington is said to be considering a deal, which – if Russia broke – would see Ukraine automatically acquire membership to NATO, hear about possible European-specific alternatives to the alliance, and return again to the subject being forgotten in many discussions at the moment: war crimes. Later, to end the week, you’ll hear a special report from Adélie Pojzman-Pontay into Ukrainian art history and culture. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Aud...
Feb 21, 2025•1 hr 10 min
Day 1,093. Today, as Donald Trump calls President Zelensky a ‘dictator’, we look at the conundrum facing Europe: to speak out and risk fraying American support, or to stay quiet, and not articulate their sense of betrayal. And, later, we talk about the strategic options available, and dive deeper into the British plans of putting boots on the ground. Contributors: Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist and Producer). @adeliepjz on X. Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on ...
Feb 20, 2025•1 hr 1 min
Day 1,092. Today, we look at the fallout from the first talks between the US and Russia, consider the next emergency summit taking place in Paris, and look at one of Ukraine’s less talked about sectors, and its vital importance in this war. Later, our Defence Editor Danielle Sheridan is on the ground with British troops conducting a NATO exercise and hearing their reaction to reports that they could soon be deployed to Ukraine. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @Franci...
Feb 19, 2025•54 min
Day 1,091. Today, as the US welcomes Russia back in from the diplomatic cold with so-called peace talks in Saudi Arabia, we ask who now speaks for Europe and we examine whether hybrid warfare could trigger Article 5. Plus, we discuss Trump’s demand for a $500bn (£400bn) “payback” from Ukraine. Contributors: Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. With thanks to Ilona Khmeleva (Secretary, Economic Sec...
Feb 18, 2025•56 min
Day 1,090. Today, just as the Munich Security Conference ends, two new summits begin: in Saudi Arabia – where the US will enter peace talks with the Russians – and in Paris, as European prime ministers and defence secretaries scramble to forge a collective position. Meanwhile, attacks continue in Ukraine and Russia, and we interview again the 2022 winner of the Nobel Peace Prize at Munich. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dominic Nicholls (Assoc...
Feb 17, 2025•58 min
Day 1,087. Today, as the Munich Security Conference tops a critical diplomatic week for Ukraine, we examine the latest political manoeuvres, talk to the UN Senior Mine Action Advisor in Ukraine, and hear the latest on the underground war being waged in the occupied territories. Contributors: Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dr. Jade McGlynn (War Studies Department of King's College). @DrJadeMc...
Feb 14, 2025•1 hr 5 min
Day 1,086. Today, we discuss what many are calling a “turning point” in the war and in Western foreign policy, as the Trump administration declares definitively the US will no longer be a primary guarantor of Europe's security, and seeks a deal with Russia over the heads of Kyiv and its allies. We hear the reaction from Brussels and Ukraine, and consider the options for those Western nations that remain committed to Ukrainian independence. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Aud...
Feb 13, 2025•50 min
Day 1,085. Please note: today's episode was recorded hours before the phone call between President Trump and President Putin. This will be covered in detail in tomorrow's episode. Today, we report on the ballistic missiles that fell on Kyiv and other cities overnight, consider the American and Ukrainian approaches to forthcoming talks, and hear from a range of experts on the pivotal issues of the moment ahead of the Munich Security Conference. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for...
Feb 12, 2025•56 min
Day 1,084. Today, The Telegraph reveals that the Trump administration has paused its peace plan for Ukraine in order to give Europe a seat at the negotiating table. Meanwhile, the American president says that Kyiv had agreed to sign a resource deal in exchange for military support. Finally, we we discuss Wagner troops in the Central African Republic and a Ukrainian photography exhibition in London. Contributors: Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Narrative Podcast Producer). @adeliepjz on X. Dominic Nicholl...
Feb 11, 2025•57 min
Day 1,083. Today, we look to the Baltic Sea, where a Russian Shadow tanker exploded in “man-made incident”, as states disconnect the cables between Russia and Europe's power grid. Plus, Trump claims to have spoken to Vladimir Putin. Contributors: Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Narrative Podcast Producer). @adeliepjz on X. Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X With thanks to Tatiana Podchernina (Founder, Kha...
Feb 10, 2025•43 min
Day 1,080. Today, we talk about Ukrainian advances in Kursk, a potential leaked peace plan from the Trump administration, and the impact of the withdrawal of USAID on Ukrainian media. Contributors: Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Narrative Podcast Producer). @adeliepjz on X. Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Hamish De Bretton-Gordon (Former British Army Tank Commander). @HamishDBG on X With thanks to Anastasiia Marushevska (editor-in-chief of Ukraїner International and co...
Feb 07, 2025•1 hr 7 min
Day 1,079. Today, we mark the six month anniversary of the Kursk offensive, talk about how Russian spies may be involved in bombings at Ukrainian army recruitment offices, and discuss how politicians in Ukraine have been quietly pushing the profiles looking ahead to elections at the end of the war. We're also on the ground in Ukraine at the demining headquarters of Irpin. Contributors: Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Narrative Podcast Producer). @adeliepjz on X. Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defe...
Feb 06, 2025•43 min
Day 1,078. Today, as British Foreign Secretary David Lammy arrives for talks in Kyiv we hear how a special tribunal to prosecute Russia’s leadership for the crime of aggression against Ukraine gets a step closer, and we hear from Finland’s Foreign Minister who says that sanctions against the Kremlin are working and ‘serious cracks’ are starting to appear in Russia’s economy. Contributors: Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Memphis Barker (Senior Foreign Correspond...
Feb 05, 2025•55 min
Day 1,077. Today, we discuss the slashing of USAID and how Trump wants to access Ukraine’s rare minerals in exchange for military support, and we report on Russia having more losses over the last two months than at any other point since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. Contributors: Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Narrative Podcast Producer). @adeliepjz on X. Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor, Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. With...
Feb 04, 2025•48 min
Day 1,076. Today, as Britain’s Prime Minister prepares to hold defence and security talks with EU leaders for the first time since Brexit, we report from the front line near Pokrovsk in the Donbas and, later, interview a West Point Professor who says negotiating with Moscow is a doomed enterprise. Contributors: Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Roland Oliphant (Senior Foreign Correspondent). @RolandOliphant on X. Joe Barnes (Brussels Correspondent). @Barnes_Joe o...
Feb 03, 2025•59 min
Day 1,073. Today, we hear the latest acts of resistance in the occupied territories, report on new deep strikes into Russia – reaching as far as the city formerly called Stalingrad – and discuss deficiencies in military training, and how it needs to change. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X Roland Oliphant (Senior Foreign Correspondent). @RolandOliphant on X. Hamish De Bretton-Gordon (Former British Army Tank Commander). @HamishDBG on X With thank...
Jan 31, 2025•45 min
Day 1,072. Today, we join the dots of coordinated efforts to destroy Putin's war machine, discuss the opportunities of a Europe no longer dependent on Russian energy, hear about a mysterious ship trawling the coast of Britain, and learn about another podcast about Ukraine. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X Memphis Barker (Senior Foreign Correspondant). @memphisbarker on X With thank...
Jan 30, 2025•48 min
Day 1,071. Today, following the news a Ukrainian drone attack hit yet another oil depot last night, and as Trump threatens to lower the price of oil and stall Russian exports, we focus on oil. We also talk tank action with our guest Hamish De Bretton-Gordon. Contributors: Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Narrative Podcast Producer). @Adeliepjz on X. Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Hamish De Bretton-Gordon (Former Tank Commander). @HamishDBG on X. With special thanks to o...
Jan 29, 2025•50 min
Day 1,070. Today, we analyse Russian attempts at encirclement around Pokrovsk, hear of a North Korean retreat in Kursk, discuss new stories of Russian activities in the occupied territories, and hear how the landscape of Ukraine has been forever transformed by the violence of war. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor, Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. With thanks to Dr. Emily Channell-Justice, Director of the Temerty Con...
Jan 28, 2025•45 min
Day 1,069. Today, on the 80th International Holocaust Remembrance Day, we report on an operation in Kursk Oblast last week that apparently saw a large number of Russian troops lured into a trap, and we look at the literally unbelievable election win for Lukashenko in Belarus - returned to power with, we are expected to believe, 87% of the vote. Contributors: Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor, Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. With ...
Jan 27, 2025•1 hr 4 min
Day 1,066. Today, we discuss Trump’s latest threats to Putin and Moscow’s fears about the strategic outlook, why the pathways to a lasting peace are more complex that many realise, and our first new segment summarising resistance activities in the occupied territories. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor, 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 Wit...
Jan 24, 2025•44 min
Day 1,065. Today, following fresh news from the frontline, we discuss Russian war crimes, Zelensky’s speech at Davos yesterday, and the upcoming German election. Contributors: Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Narrative Podcast Producer). @adeliepjz on X. Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor, Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. Adrian Blomfield (Foreign Correspondent). @adrianblomfield on X. Jessica Berlin (Senior Fellow at The Center for European...
Jan 23, 2025•47 min
Day 1,064. As news breaks of an eight-hour firefight between Ukrainian Special Operations Forces and North Korean troops inside Russia, we report how the new US Secretary of State has said any peace plan cannot allow Russia to pause before attacking Ukraine again. Contributors: Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. James Crisp (Europe Editor). @JamesCrisp6 on X. Georgina Wray (Deputy Video News Editor) Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor, Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X...
Jan 22, 2025•52 min
Day 1,063. Today, less than 24 hours into the second Trump Presidency, we consider in detail his and his transition team’s latest remarks about the war, and what they tell us about the approach being adopted behind closed doors. Plus we take the temperature of the British Parliament with two vocal voices on the conflict calling for further actions against Moscow. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor, Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomN...
Jan 21, 2025•57 min
Day 1,062. Today, we talk about secretive air-defence systems - some developed by Ukraine and others donated by the UK in the 100-year partnership signed last week. We look ahead to the beginning of the second Trump era starting later today, in Washington. And Joe Barnes talks to lead trauma surgeon Dr Shehan Hettiaratchy about the realities of healthcare on the front line. Contributors: Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Narrative Podcast Producer). @adeliepjz on X. Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of De...
Jan 20, 2025•45 min
