Day 1,307. Today, as the UN Security Council debates Russia’s latest airspace violations, we ask why Estonia held fire – unlike Turkey in 2015 – before hearing frontline perspectives from Ukrainian soldiers with The Kyiv Independent ’s Francis Farrell, and exploring Russia’s answer to the Eurovision Song Contest. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Francis Farrell (Report, The Kyiv ...
Sep 22, 2025•58 min
Day 1,304. Today, as President Zelensky claims Ukraine has liberated 160 square kilometers in a 'counteroffensive operation' in Donetsk, we hear live from Istanbul for the final speech of an old spymaster before retirement. Then we bring you another recording from David Knowles, who speaks to a witness to the murders which took place in Bucha, and asks what it takes to document and prosecute a war crime. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. Roland O...
Sep 19, 2025•57 min
Day 1,303. Today, as Russian troops continue to advance in Kupyansk, bringing fighting inside the city, Ukraine strikes an oil complex more than 800 miles inside Russia. We discuss how NATO would implement a no-fly zone in Ukraine and zoom in on Russian frozen assets. Finally, we hear from Anastasia Dovbnia of Save Ukraine about the latest news on their efforts to bring children back from Russia and the Occupied Territories. Contributors: Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Reporter and Producer). @adeliepjz...
Sep 18, 2025•47 min
Day 1,302. Today, Donald Trump arrives in Britain for his second state visit, possibly bringing a gift to Ukraine. Putin watches the last blast of Zapad 25 - but without the head of his military - and we hear how Russia may be close to cutting oil output due to Ukrainian drone strikes. Later, an interview with Jack Lopresti, the former British Member of Parliament who is now a member of Ukraine’s International Legion. Contributors: Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on ...
Sep 17, 2025•42 min
Day 1,301. Today, we report on Kyiv’s so-called “revenge operation” targeting Russian forces said to have been involved in war crimes, we hear live from Kharkiv after a strike on a medical university and, later, we speak to the Telegraph’s former Chief Foreign Correspondent about his new book telling the untold story of Ukraine’s Foreign Legion. Contributors: Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Memphis Barker (Senior Foreign Correspondent). @memphisbarker on X. Wit...
Sep 16, 2025•1 hr 2 min
Day 1,300. Today, we unpack what happened in Romania over the weekend, where a Russian drone flew into its airspace for almost an hour. And we look at the fall out responses from Nato & Europe since last week’s similar incursion in Poland. Meanwhile in Russia, Ukrainian saboteurs derailed two trains over the weekend. Finally, we discuss Russia’s economy and oil industry and zoom in on India and whether, as Trump put it a few weeks, it is indeed lost to ‘deepest, darkest China.’ Contributors:...
Sep 15, 2025•48 min
The original edit of this podcast episode stated that Europe was close to a trade deal with Russia. This was a misspeak and should have said Europe was close to a deal with China. Thank you to those who flagged this mistake, we are happy to correct the record. Day 1,297. Today, we dive into Donald Trump’s campaign of revenge against CIA officials and into new and upcoming sanctions against Russia as pressure continues to mount following the drone incursion into the Polish airspace. And finally, ...
Sep 12, 2025•1 hr 7 min
Day 1,296. Today, we continue to unpack NATO’s response to the incursion of 19 Russian drones into Polish airspace. We hear the latest news from the resistance in the Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia, and we zoom in on the water crisis in Donetsk. Contributors: Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Reporter and Producer). @adeliepjz on X. Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Joe Barnes (Brussels Correspondent). @barnes_joe on X. Dr. Jade McGlynn (War Studies Department of ...
Sep 11, 2025•49 min
Day 1,295. Today, in a historic moment for Europe, NATO fighter jets shoot down Russian drones over Poland in the first ever direct engagement between the Western alliance and Moscow. We assess the global reaction and what it means, before asking how Vladimir Putin is manipulating the information space to conceal his crimes and shape opinion. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Pete...
Sep 10, 2025•41 min
Day 1,294. Today, as Ukraine strikes yet more oil and gas facilities deep inside Russia, we hear how Donald Trump has deported dozens of political refugees fleeing Vladimir Putin back to the country. Then we report how Putin’s present for General Gerasimov’s 70th birthday was a nice medal and an extension of his military service, plus we report on Monday’s defence forum in London where Dom interviewed Boris Johnson, who said the Coalition of the Willing should be deployed to Ukraine now. Contrib...
Sep 09, 2025•57 min
Day 1,293. Today, as Ukraine suffers the largest air attack of the war, killing four and setting dozens of buildings on fire in Kyiv, including the main seat of government, we assess the response from world leaders. Then, in a special segment to mark the one year anniversary of his passing, we hear new interviews recorded by Ukraine: The Latest ’s creator, David Knowles, and discuss two fundraisers launched in his memory. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearn...
Sep 08, 2025•1 hr 1 min
Day 1,290. Today, after another important Coalition of the Willing summit in Paris, we discuss Vladimir Putin’s warning that any Western peacekeeping forces deployed to Ukraine would be considered a “legitimate” target. Then, we dive into an investigation on how China is providing drones parts to Russia and effectively sustaining its ability to continue waging its war against Ukraine. Finally, Dom dials in on his last day in Prague attending the International Institute for Strategic Studies Defe...
Sep 05, 2025•42 min
Day 1,289. Today, as the Coalition of the Willing meets to discuss security guarantees in Paris, we hear live from Prague minutes after the speech of NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Then – after the military updates – we assess in greater detail the attendance of other world leaders alongside Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping in Beijing: who were they, and what do their motives tell us about the new ‘axis of upheaval?’ Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley ...
Sep 04, 2025•43 min
Day 1,288. Today, as China unveils new weapons at the huge military parade in Beijing attended by Russia’s Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong-un, we assess just how significant the gathering is, and whether it has put the West ‘on notice’. Then we sit down for an exclusive interview with the British Foreign Secretary as the UK announces sanctions against those forcibly deporting, indoctrinating and militarising Ukrainian children. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio...
Sep 03, 2025•39 min
Day 1,287. Today, as a Nato leader meets with Vladimir Putin while Ukraine is subjected to the latest wave of Russian drone strikes, we look at the ongoing Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in China that is attempting to rewrite the global security order. Plus, we examine quite what happened to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s plane, after suspected Russian interference, and hear the latest in the cyber war. Contributors: Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence)....
Sep 02, 2025•39 min
Day 1,286. Today, we offer the most comprehensive version yet of the peace plan taking shape behind closed doors, as the Europeans ask Donald Trump to deploy a private army of military firms to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire. Plus we report on the significance of the meeting between Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, and Narendra Modi. Later, with Professor Phillips O'Brien, we discuss the gravest strategic miscalculations made by both sides in the war. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Executive Ed...
Sep 01, 2025•54 min
Day 1,283. Today, we continue reporting on the attack on Kyiv, which Zelensky called “a strike by Russia against President Trump”, and we hear about the work the State Emergency Services have been doing on the ground. We also discuss how Russia may be flying surveillance drones over Germany, gathering intelligence for potential sabotage campaigns, and how India’s imports of Russian oil may increase in September despite US sanctions. Later, we hear about the food industry in Ukraine and its role ...
Aug 29, 2025•1 hr 4 min
Day 1,282. Today, we hear from on the ground in Kyiv after a massive strike last night damaged the British Council and the EU mission, after Ukraine hit another 2 oil refineries in Russia to continue its strategy of undermining the Russian oil industry. Then we look towards a meeting between the Ukrainians and Steve Witkoff in the US next week, and hear from Ed Matthews of Fire Aid, an organisation that brings fire trucks to vulnerable areas around the world, including Ukraine. Contributors: Adé...
Aug 28, 2025•49 min
Day 1,281. Today, we discuss reports that the US has offered air and intelligence support to a postwar force in Ukraine, the impact of strikes on Russia’s energy infrastructure, and hear the latest twist in the ongoing saga of the destruction of the Nord Stream pipeline back in 2022. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. James Rothwell (Berlin Correspondent). @JamesERothwell on X. Con...
Aug 27, 2025•38 min
Day 1,280. Today, as continued Ukrainian attacks are said to have depleted Russian oil production by the equivalent of a million barrels a day, Donald Trump says Putin is unlikely to meet President Zelensky because he “doesn’t like him”. We also hear how the latest Coalition of the Willing meeting occurred as China said - with caveats - that it might be willing to commit troops to any post-ceasefire force, and we hear how Russian motor racing chiefs have hit the barriers in a spat with Formula 1...
Aug 26, 2025•51 min
Today is a public holiday in Britain, so we bring you a special panel Francis Dearnley hosted during his trip to Germany at the LANDEURO conference hosted by the Association of the U.S. Army. Titled “Ukrainian Innovation at the Speed of Relevance”, it offers a firsthand look at how Ukraine’s defense forces are reshaping the future of military conflict, centering on how wartime necessity has accelerated innovation across critical domains, particularly artificial intelligence, drone warfare, digit...
Aug 25, 2025•57 min
Day 1,276. Today, as Ukraine strikes again inside occupied Crimea and in the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossisk, we report how Moscow appears to be amassing forces in the north and east. We hear how Donald Trump has set another two-week deadline to know whether Putin is serious about peace and we examine what any deployment of the COTW might look from our reporter who has spent many moons on the ground in question Contributors: Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X...
Aug 22, 2025•39 min
Day 1,275. Today, as Russia’s foreign minister accuses the Coalition of the Willing of “undermining” efforts to secure peace in Ukraine – comments later described as nothing but “noise” – Vladimir Putin makes clear how serious he is about negotiating peace by launching another mass aerial attack. Far from ending the war, we hear how Donald Trump is apparently going to “step back” from peace talks “for now”. Plus, we look at how Ukraine has demonstrated the next stage of drone development with a ...
Aug 21, 2025•57 min
Day 1,274. Today, as President Donald Trump says the US may provide air support to back a Ukraine peace deal, we assess reports that as many as 10 European countries are considering putting boots on the ground if Russia agrees to end its war. Then we take a step back and try to make sense of the historic past few days. What, if anything, has changed? Then we hear a dispatch Adelie recorded in Ukraine at the funeral of journalist Victoria Roshchyna. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Executive Edito...
Aug 20, 2025•55 min
Day 1,273. Today, as we get more clarity on what the Europeans proposed to Donald Trump in the historic White House summit yesterday, we hear the latest from the battlefront as Russian progress appears to have been stymied, and then do a deep dive into Moscow’s reaction to this week’s diplomatic developments. What exactly are they signalling? Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Jame...
Aug 19, 2025•45 min
In this special episode, recorded just after an unprecedented White House summit, we analyse the impact on President Volodymyr Zelensky and his European allies. Was the meeting a diplomatic win for Ukraine? How credible is Donald Trump’s pledge to commit US forces to defend Ukraine in a future peace deal? And could it benefit Zelensky strategically to meet Vladimir Putin without the American President at the table? Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on ...
Aug 19, 2025•35 min
Day 1,272. Today, after the Trump and Putin summit in the United States ends without accord – but with certain principles for peace seemingly agreed between them – we look ahead to the vital meeting between Zelensky, Trump, and European leaders in the White House, and consider why the proposal for Ukraine to cede Donbas would leave Ukraine strategically exposed. We will be releasing a bonus episode immediately after the summit. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @Franci...
Aug 18, 2025•27 min
In a special episode recorded just minutes after the summit in Alaska between Presidents Putin and Trump, we discuss what it was like in the room, and the ramifications of a meeting which leaves more questions than answers. What happens next? Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Aug 16, 2025•20 min
Day 1,269. Today, as the world awaits what some say could be the most consequential summit for Europe since the end of the Second World War, we hear the latest updates live from Alaska, from journalists, experts, and protestors gathering there. Plus, we assess the fast-moving situation on the battlefield, and provide our regular update on the occupied territories. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @...
Aug 15, 2025•48 min
Day 1,268. Today, as reports suggest Russian advances near Pokrovsk have “stalled”, we hear the contrasting European and American positions as we approach the summit in Alaska, including suggestions of a new minerals deal for Russia and a ‘West Bank-style occupation of parts of Ukraine’. Then you’ll hear Dom’s dispatch from Odesa, where he joined an anti-aircraft unit shooting down Russian drones. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. James Rothwell ...
Aug 14, 2025•33 min
