Day 1,183. Today, as Vladimir Putin makes his first visit to Kursk after the Kremlin erroneously claimed all Ukrainian soldiers had been completely pushed out of the territory, we look at the latest deep strikes on Russian infrastructure, hear from an ambulance convoy in Ukraine, and speak to a central advisor of the European Union on Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dom Nicholls (Associate Editor for Defence)....
May 21, 2025•53 min
Day 1,182. Today, we continue dissecting the phone call between Putin and Trump and what it means for the prospect of negotiations. We discuss the latest Russian ‘Frankenstein’ missile and tactics on the ground, plus a dive into a report investigating Russian strikes on hotels near the frontline in an effort to target journalists. Finally we hear a dispatch from Sweden and interview with a Swedish chief of defence staff on the Russian threat on the Finnish border. Contributors: Adélie Pojzman-Po...
May 20, 2025•56 min
Day 1,181. Today, just minutes after Presidents Putin and Trump spoke over the phone following the failed peace talks in Turkey last week, we react to the strategy being adopted by both sides: is Putin playing Trump like a fiddle? Then, later, we hear about the worst aerial bombardment Ukraine has experienced of the entire war, which took place not three years ago, but on Sunday. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dom Nicholls (Associate Editor fo...
May 19, 2025•52 min
Day 1,178. Today, as Ukraine and Russia hold their first direct negotiations in over three years today in Istanbul, we bring you live coverage from two major political and defence conferences in Europe, featuring key NATO and EU figures. How united is Europe in its stance on security and support for Ukraine? Plus, we speak with a former senior U.S. official to assess whether Donald Trump’s influence in American politics is beginning to fade, and hear about the new commander of Moscow’s ground fo...
May 16, 2025•1 hr
Day 1,177. Today, as Vladimir Putin rejects mounting Western pressure to attend peace talks in Turkey with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, attention turns to the controversial delegation he's sending in his place. Who are these representatives, and why are international diplomats describing their presence as an ‘insult’ to the peace process? Plus, we report on a new monument to Joseph Stalin unveiled in Moscow, and investigate how Russia’s military build-up is accelerating, not slowing, ...
May 15, 2025•48 min
Day 1,176. Today, we discuss reports of staged anti-Western protests ahead of Russia’s Victory Day parade last week, where ‘activists for hire’ chanted slogans in front of several EU embassies. We also look at the 17th package of sanctions agreed on by EU ambassadors, which will have severe ramifications for Vladimir Putin’s shadow fleet. Finally, we hear about the escalation of strikes on civilians since the beginning of 2025 and their consequences, especially for children. Please note this epi...
May 14, 2025•43 min
Day 1,175. Today, we look ahead to what might happen on Thursday in Istanbul. We discuss whether Putin will show up at all. We also dive into the potential 17th round of sanctions if Russia doesn’t agree to a ceasefire, and whether Europe can deliver on its promises. Finally, Francis has a robust conversation with the Hungarian Secretary of State for International Communication and Relations, Zoltán Kovács, at the Hungarian embassy in London. Contributors: Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Reporter and Pro...
May 13, 2025•1 hr 4 min
Day 1,174. Today, we unpack a momentous weekend of diplomacy which began with the European leaders of Britain, Germany, France, and Poland assembling in Kyiv to demand an unconditional ceasefire, escalated with a late-night address from Vladimir Putin and fresh drone attacks, then culminated in a shock intervention from Donald Trump. Afterwards, we offer a detailed analysis on the strategic picture on the front lines. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley ...
May 12, 2025•54 min
Day 1,171. Today, as Vladimir Putin hosts world leaders in Moscow for his Victory Day Parade, we break down what was really on display: both in military hardware and political messaging. How much of the spectacle honored World War II, and how much signaled the rise of a militarised Russia? Then, we speak with a former Ukrainian MP and leader of the Sky Shield initiative about proposals for Kyiv’s allies to shoot down enemy missiles, and report on the latest resistance efforts in occupied territo...
May 09, 2025•55 min
Day 1,170. Today, as the end of the Second World War in Europe is marked in most European countries, we report how Vladimir Putin’s three-day ‘goodwill ceasefire’ designed to protect his own commemoration tomorrow appears to have been broken already, we examine three very strong and uncharacteristically critical comments by the United States administration about Russia, and we ask whether Friedrich Merz has hit the ground running, or fallen at the first hurdle. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Ex...
May 08, 2025•53 min
Day 1,169. Today, as – for the third day running – Ukrainian drones sow chaos in the skies above Moscow, we analyse the final preparations for Putin’s Victory Day parade, and discuss President Biden’s first interview since leaving office, hours after Friedrich Merz finally became Chancellor of Germany at a pivotal moment in modern European history. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X...
May 07, 2025•54 min
Day 1,168. Today, as Friedrich Merz suffers a “humiliating and unexpected setback” on his way to becoming German Chancellor, we report how the Kremlin is preparing for Friday’s Victory Day parade, all while nervously watching the skies for Ukrainian drones, after two successive nights of attacks on Moscow. Contributors: Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. With thanks to Ash Bhardwaj, an award-winn...
May 06, 2025•51 min
Today, on a public holiday in the UK, we answer questions submitted by listeners around the world. What's it like being shot at in a tank? What would happen in the US suddenly stopped supporting Ukraine? Why do missiles do more damage in Ukraine than in Israel? What could give the 'Coalition of the Willing' more bite? And is 2025 the year Russian economy finally collapses? Plus many more. See Dom, Francis and Adélie in our studio by watching this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/9szTxRfF7TU ...
May 05, 2025•54 min
Day 1,164. Today, as a drone attack hits Russian airbases in occupied Crimea, we continue to unpack the minerals deal signed between the US and Ukraine and we contemplate whether the US might be pulling out of the peace negotiations. We also look at the latest news from Central Asia and we hear from a visual artist who donated a photograph to the Kherson Art Museum, which was looted by Russian soldiers in 2022. Contributors: Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Narrative Podcast Producer). @adeliepjz on X. Do...
May 02, 2025•1 hr 10 min
Day 1,163. Today, as the United States and Ukraine finally sign a much-revised minerals deal, we look at what it might mean for the future security of Ukraine – and we return to Germany to examine the first appointments of Friedrich Merz’s top team and ask why some commentators are questioning whether members of the German elite are really serious about rearmament, or would perhaps prefer a rapprochement with Russia. Contributors: Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X...
May 01, 2025•50 min
Day 1,162. Today, as Russian troops intensify offensive operations in several oblasts – Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson – we talk about the latest conversations amongst the coalition of the willing, where the tone is decidedly pessimistic. Then we do a deeper dive into the latest positions of China, Turkey, and Syria in relation to the war. Contributors: Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Narrative Podcast Producer) @Adeliepjz on X. Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. So...
Apr 30, 2025•40 min
Day 1,161. Today, as Trump pushes back against Vladimir Putin’s three-day ceasefire proposal, we discuss the recent reflections of the former commander of Ukraine’s armed forces and his bold predictions for the future of warfare. Plus, we hear frontline reaction from soldiers to the so-called pauses in the fighting. Are they real? Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. Svitlana Morenets (Staff Writer at The Spectator). @SvMorenets on X. Hamish De Bret...
Apr 29, 2025•44 min
Day 1,160. Today, as Vladimir Putin announces a sudden three-day ceasefire in May, we assess just how meaningful it really is, and ask: why now? Then we analyse another extraordinary weekend of diplomacy at Pope Francis’s funeral, before learning more about the history of the Donbas: a region where much of the war’s fiercest fighting has taken place. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on...
Apr 28, 2025•50 min
Day 1,157. Today, after Donald Trump makes the rare intervention of scolding Vladimir Putin for one of the deadliest attacks on Kyiv of the war, we discuss the latest considerations of the coalition of the willing with regards to boots on the ground, and the evolving nature of acts of resistance in the occupied territories – and within Russia itself. Later, we listen to recordings from Ukraine that reveal the impact the conflict has had on the natural environment. Contributors: Francis Dearnley ...
Apr 25, 2025•56 min
Day 1,156. Today, as Kyiv is hit by the deadliest strikes in almost a year, we examine Donald Trump’s attack on President Zelensky having failed to negotiate the peace deal he said would take him only 24 hours. Then we take a deep dive into the Wagner mercenary group with the author of a new book who says Yevgeny Prigozhin’s outfit is the logical outcome when a country contracts its soul to a pitiless militia. Contributors: Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X Franci...
Apr 24, 2025•56 min
Day 1,155. Today, we break down the dramatic collapse of Donald Trump’s proposed peace deal for Ukraine. European, Ukrainian, and American officials were scheduled to meet – until everything suddenly unraveled. Is the US stepping back from the negotiation table? Plus, we launch a brand-new segment focusing on Russia’s domestic front and explore how the ongoing war is reshaping Central Asia’s political and economic landscape. Contributors: Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicho...
Apr 23, 2025•1 hr
Day 1,154. Today, we ask how meaningful the weekend’s so-called ‘Easter truce’ really was, look at the new American peace proposals put to Kyiv and its allies – which include major concessions both in territory and sovereignty – then reflect on the legacy of Pope Francis in relation to the war. Later, we hear about a new book investigating Russian spies who spent decades undercover: what does it teach us about modern spycraft? Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @Francis...
Apr 22, 2025•56 min
Today is a public holiday in Britain, so in a special Easter episode, we take you to a grand terrace in West London, where a green door blends into its elegant surroundings. We go behind that door – into a school unlike any other. There, you’ll hear from young Ukrainians who fled their homes within hours of the invasion, and from the teachers and classmates helping them rebuild their lives in a foreign land. Through their voices, we explore what it means to grow up far from home – and how one Lo...
Apr 21, 2025•38 min
Day 1,151. Today, after the unexpected announcement by Vladimir Putin of a 30-hour truce for Easter we assess what it might mean for the war, how likely it is to hold and discuss what comes next. Having rejected Donald Trump’s proposal for an unconditional ceasefire 39 days ago, what does Putin hope to gain by this latest gamble? Francis Dearnley and Dom Nicholls offer their thoughts. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dominic Nicholls (Associate ...
Apr 19, 2025•20 min
Today is a public holiday in Britain, so in a special Easter episode, Dom Nicholls chairs a panel of experts at the Oxford Literary Festival. Government adviser Keir Giles, academic Professor Mark Galeotti, and journalist Stephanie Baker discuss the Russian threat and how to deal with Vladimir Putin, including why the Russian President retains his stranglehold on power, the need for Europe to wake up on defence, and the impacts of economic sanctions. How can the West win? Learn more about the ev...
Apr 18, 2025•1 hr 5 min
Day 1,149. Today, amid more exchanges of drones and missiles between Ukraine and Russia, we hear about soldiers’ experiences directly from the frontline in the east, and discuss the political situation in Kyiv and in Europe as Steve Witcoff meets with President Macron and other key figures in the ‘Coalition of the Willing.’ Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X With thanks to Svitlana ...
Apr 17, 2025•44 min
Day 1,148. Today, as Ukraine targets the Russian units allegedly responsible for Sunday’s murderous attack on Sumy, we report how Donald Trump has backtracked on the amount of money he wants Ukraine to pay for US support in the war with Russia. Then we speak to our correspondent who has interviewed Ukrainian commanders about Russia’s spring offensive. Contributors: Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on...
Apr 16, 2025•49 min
Day 1,147. Today, as Ukraine launches a huge drone attack against Russia’s Kursk region, we assess President Trump’s remarks that President Zelensky “started” the war, and consider the dark arts of the Kremlin’s diplomatic corps. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X Roland Oliphant (Senior Foreign Correspondent). @RolandOliphant on X. Content Referenced: Our sister podcast, Battle Lin...
Apr 15, 2025•34 min
Day 1,146. Today, as the world reacts to Russia’s cluster munition strike on civilians in Sumy, we assess whether Donald Trump’s opinion that it was just a ‘mistake’ will let Vladimir Putin get away with it, and we hear from our Berlin correspondent on the latest, potentially pivotal, political developments in Germany. Will Taurus missiles make a difference? Contributors: Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDear...
Apr 14, 2025•45 min
Day 1,143. Today, as extreme snowy weather conditions reshape the battlefield, we report on British plans to potentially station troops in Ukraine for five years, hear the latest acts of resistance in the occupied territories, and consider how the fall in oil price is impacting Russia, and its potential impact on Moscow's relationship with the United States. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dr. Jade McGlynn (War Studies Department of King's Coll...
Apr 11, 2025•53 min
