Day 1,325. Today, after another wave of intense Russian bombardments, we explore what the Gaza ceasefire could mean for the war. Will it bring renewed international attention, or further distraction? Plus, we deliver our latest fortnightly update on resistance inside the occupied territories, and ask: how strong is America’s commitment to Europe’s defense now, with insights from one of the U.S. Army’s former top generals. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearn...
Oct 10, 2025•52 min
Day 1,324. Today, Ukraine hits yet another pipeline and oil plant, while fuel shortage in Russia approaches 20 percent. Meanwhile, more than half of Ukraine's natural gas production capacity has been destroyed by Russian strikes. We also discuss the state of US-Russia relations and what will happen to the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty when it expires. Finally Dom speaks with Benjamin Tallis about the use of AI in defence. Contributors: Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist and Producer). @adeliepj...
Oct 09, 2025•45 min
Day 1,323 Today, as Moscow tightens restrictions on gas sales and mobile networks amid Ukraine’s escalating campaign against Moscow’s oil industry, reports emerge that Russian workers are being told to halt operations as “preemptive measures” against drone attacks. We also discuss Dom and Francis’s appearance on Russian state TV, and speak with Australia’s military representative to NATO and the EU about the broader implications for the war. Contributors: Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of De...
Oct 08, 2025•38 min
Day 1,322 Today, we examine the escalating conflict in Ukraine after another night of bombardments, looking at the potential impact of US Tomahawk missiles if supplied to Kyiv, along with new Western weapons innovations shaping the battlefield. We also discuss another mysterious death in Moscow and what it reveals about the power struggles inside Russia. Finally, we explore whether the post-World War II reconstruction of Germany offers a realistic blueprint for rebuilding Ukraine once the war en...
Oct 07, 2025•58 min
Day 1,321. Today, we break down Ukraine’s escalating drone war targeting Russian industry and examine how Ukrainian intelligence claims China supplied satellite imagery of US-funded factories. We also cover the latest riots in Georgia and election results in Czechia, analysing what they reveal about European political stability. Later, following a weekend of explosions across Russia and occupied Crimea, a RAND Corporation analyst joins us to assess Putin’s weakening oil industry, the potential b...
Oct 06, 2025•56 min
Day 1,318. Today, after yet another drone incursion forces the closure of a major European airport - this time in Germany - we examine growing calls from officials to take tougher measures, including shooting drones down on sight. We’ll also look at one of Ukraine’s most far-reaching strikes to date, more than 1,400 kilometers inside Russia, before turning to some of the lighter, more curious moments in encounters between Russian presidents and world leaders. Later, we bring you our latest dispa...
Oct 03, 2025•41 min
Day 1,317. Today, as Donald Trump reportedly provides Ukraine with intelligence for long-range missile strikes against Russia, we assess just how serious the economic situation is becoming amid reports of gas shortages. Then, as European leaders join President Zelensky in Copenhagen, we hear about the new 'drone wall' and how Moscow has upgraded its missiles to better evade Patriot air defense systems. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dominic Ni...
Oct 02, 2025•29 min
Day 1,316. Today, as fears are sounded over the state of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, we hear how Princess Anne has made a surprise visit to Kyiv to “demonstrate solidarity” with Ukrainian children and families affected by the conflict. Then we report how French authorities have seized a shadow fleet tanker and Polish police arrested a Ukrainian man for the Nordstream 2 pipeline sabotage. Later, you’ll hear Dom’s interview with the UN’s Special Rapporteur for Torture, Alice Edwards, and...
Oct 01, 2025•1 hr 9 min
Day 1,315. Today, Ukraine assassinates a Russian senior officer from the National Guard and Moscow launches the biggest autumn conscription round since 2016. We look at Russian influence of European politics, from the UK to Hungary, and General David Petraeus offers his candid reflections on what Ukraine needs to win. We also speak with a Ukrainian-American poet, Ilya Kaminsky, whose award-winning book about a fictional village resisting occupation has now been adapted to the stage. Contributors...
Sep 30, 2025•54 min
Day 1,314. Today, amid heavy assaults on Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia, while Ukraine attacks more energy sites deep inside Russia, we hear about the evacuation of families from eastern Ukraine, where Moscow’s offensive continues to flatten whole cities – and about the half-marathon Dom ran to help raise money for one charity trying to help. Plus, we reflect on the historic election result in Moldova, and why it's bad news for Moscow. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @Francis...
Sep 29, 2025•53 min
Day 1,311. Today, as Ukraine’s bombardments against Russian energy facilities finally spark gas shortages in Moscow, we assess the gaping hole in Europe’s drone defences amid yet more violations, before leaving you with one more documentary from David Knowles, who visits the site of one of the worst Nazi war crimes to take place in Ukraine during World War II. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomN...
Sep 26, 2025•55 min
Day 1,310. Today, as drones once again cause alarm in Denmark, and Ukrainian strikes inside Russia add to Vladimir Putin’s fuel woes, we report on President Zelensky’s speech at the United Nations in New York, and hear from Dr Jade McGlynn in our latest fortnightly update on resistance activities 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 ...
Sep 25, 2025•50 min
Day 1,309. Today, as the world digests Donald Trump's apparent U-turn on support for Ukraine, we examine developments in New York. Plus, we hear about a story of American citizens being lured to Russia on so-called "anti-woke visas", and hear from a global health expert about the latest of the health crisis, and that to come, in Ukraine. You watch a special video version of part of today's discussion here: https://youtu.be/bgCj0V47pNc?si=pRF8xLrAfUaWddUI Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Executive...
Sep 24, 2025•50 min
Day 1,308. Today, amid more violations of European airspace by Moscow, we assess the reactions of NATO, including extraordinary remarks by the Polish deputy prime minister at the UN Security Council. Then – in a world first – we interview a Ukrainian woman whose stolen daughter has been adopted in Russia by one of Vladimir Putin's allies. She tells us about her fight to bring her back. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dominic Nicholls (Associate...
Sep 23, 2025•49 min
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
