It’s nearly 500 days since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began and it seems nowhere is safe. The western city of Lviv, a haven for refugees far away from the front line, has been hit by Russian missiles killing ten civilians. We hear from Olga Pona, a local journalist, about her night of terror sheltering in a basement car park. We catch up with student and friend of the podcast Vitalii Pashchenko on his graduation day. He tells us about his plans for the future. And as US journalist Evan G...
Jul 07, 2023•29 min
Assessing the damage caused by the Kherson floods. The BBC’s Andrew Harding updates us on the environmental, social and emotional impact caused by the Kakhovka dam breach, and we catch up again with Kherson resident Olga. Also, we find out more about the attack on independent Russian journalist Elena Milashina in Chechnya, who appeared on last week’s Ukrainecast, with the BBC’s Sarah Rainsford and Tanya Lokshina from Human Rights Watch. Today’s episode is presented by Lucy Hockings and Vitaliy S...
Jul 04, 2023•30 min
And is Wagner setting up a camp in Belarus? The BBC’s international editor Jeremy Bowen has hotfooted back from a whistle-stop trip to Kyiv to update us on what President Zelensky’s military advisers are thinking. Artyom Shraibman, from the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, explains how Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko stands to benefit from harbouring some of Putin’s nuclear warheads. And we hear from independent Russian journalist Elena Milashina on the role Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov ...
Jun 30, 2023•31 min
After a dramatic weekend, we are joined by BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner to answer your questions on the failed rebellion. We discuss what comes next for Prigozhin and his mercenaries with Lou Osborn, from the monitoring group All Eyes on Wagner. Also, we explore Vladimir Putin’s future with Jade McGlynn, a research fellow at King’s College London and author of ‘Russia’s War’ and ‘Memory Makers: The Politics of the Past in Putin’s Russia’. Today’s episode is presented by Victoria Derb...
Jun 27, 2023•28 min
The rebellion by Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of Wagner, is over. BBC Eastern Europe correspondent Sarah Rainsford and broadcaster Gabriel Gatehouse try to make sense of what happened on Saturday with a rebellion by the mercenary Wagner group and share their thoughts on what happens next for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Today’s extra episode is presented by Victoria Derbyshire and Vitaly Shevchenko. The episode was produced by Clare Williamson. The technical director was Ricardo McCarthy. Th...
Jun 25, 2023•21 min
President Putin decries "betrayal" and "treason" after a dramatic challenge by the chief of the Wagner mercenary force, Yevgeny Prigozhin. Russia editor Steve Rosenberg, Security correspondent Frank Gardner and broadcaster Gabriel Gatehouse try to make sense of a moving and murky situation in Russia. Today’s extra episode is presented by Victoria Derbyshire and Vitaliy Shevchenko. The series producer is Tim Walklate. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham. Email [email protected] with your que...
Jun 24, 2023•25 min
With Vladimir Putin scaling up his rhetoric over use of nuclear weapons we turn our attention to Russia in this episode. The BBC’s Russia editor Steve Rosenberg and the Washington Post’s Catherine Belton look at the chance of a nuclear attack, the state of the opposition in Russia and why the latest intervention from Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin could provide an important clue to a possible major policy shift by the Kremlin. We also hear from Evgenia Kara-Murza about the plight of her hu...
Jun 23, 2023•36 min
Both Ukrainian and Russian fighters have started describing the counter-offensive as hitting in ‘waves’. But what exactly does that that mean? The BBC’s security correspondent Frank Gardner and Owen Matthews, a historian and former Newsweek Moscow bureau chief, return to the pod to digest the military tactics and innovations from both sides on the frontline. Also, we take a closer look at the war’s impact on children in occupied territories - many of whom have been forcibly removed to Russia. My...
Jun 20, 2023•30 min
As a show trial begins of Azov Brigade fighters captured in last year’s siege of Mariupol, we hear from the fiancée of one about the torturous conditions they are being held in. Also, just how many Russian fighters have lost their lives in the war so far? BBC Russian’s Olga Ivshina has been crunching the numbers. And the BBC’s diplomatic correspondent James Landale joins us on a day when an African leaders’ peace mission visits Kyiv - and have to promptly take shelter from a missile attack. Toda...
Jun 16, 2023•29 min
We hear from the BBC’s James Waterhouse who is one of the first journalists to visit a newly freed village in the eastern Donetsk region. Also, the day after Russia celebrates its national day, missiles rain down on the home city of Ukraine’s president killing at least 11. Sunday Times correspondent Christina Lamb and BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner assess the dramatic developments in the last week including the floods in Kherson and the start of Ukraine’s counter-offensive. Today’s epi...
Jun 13, 2023•33 min
Tales of resilience and rescue on the banks of the Dnipro river. We speak to Ivan, a student from Kyiv who has driven to Kherson to help deliver aid to those affected, and Ukraine correspondent James Waterhouse tells us about the people he’s met who’ve been cut off by the floods amidst the shelling. We speak to a woman from the Belgorod region, near the border with Ukraine, about what it’s like to live in a part of Russia that is very much caught up in the conflict. Professor Mark Galeotti on wh...
Jun 09, 2023•36 min
We hear from Olga who has lived in Kherson throughout the war, the occupation, the constant shelling and now the floods. We talk to the BBC’s James Waterhouse in Kherson who’s watching the flood waters rise and monitoring the rescue effort. Olga Robinson from BBC Verify answers Ukrainecast listeners questions about the cause of the dam break. Today's episode is hosted by Victoria Derbyshire and produced by Clare Williamson. The planning producer is Drew Hyndman and the technical producer is Phil...
Jun 07, 2023•25 min
Thousands flee floods as Ukraine and Russia blame each other for dam break. The BBC’s international editor, Jeremy Bowen, is in the studio to discuss what could have happened to the dam, why anyone would attack it, and what impact this could have on the wider conflict. Also, we get through to one man living and working in one of the flooded areas. Today’s episode is presented by Victoria Derbyshire and Vitaly Shevchenko. The producers were Arsenii Sokolov and Clare Williamson. The technical prod...
Jun 06, 2023•21 min
Russia says it’s thwarted a major Ukrainian attack in the latest sign that that the counter-offensive may have started. Meanwhile, Kyiv says that "offensive actions" are under way in the east. But how significant could these developments be? Kyiv correspondent James Waterhouse and security correspondent Frank Gardner discuss whether we’re now in a new phase of the war. Today’s episode is presented by Victoria Derbyshire and Vitaliy Shevchenko. The producers were Arsenii Sokolov and Clare William...
Jun 05, 2023•14 min
Yulia lives in Kyiv with her three-month-old baby and two young children who are five and eight. She describes how they shelter from Russian attacks in their bathroom and says she’s questioning whether to stay in the city where she has built her life, or leave to find somewhere safer in the west of the country. The BBC Ukraine correspondent James Waterhouse updates us on the latest overnight attacks and explores the internal political tensions growing over a locked bomb shelter, a situation that...
Jun 02, 2023•29 min
Several buildings in Moscow have been hit in rare drone attacks. President Putin claimed the strikes were aimed at “civilian targets” and accused Kyiv of trying to frighten Russia. Kyiv was also targeted for the third night running - buildings there were set on fire and at least one person is reported to have been killed. BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner, Russia editor Steve Rosenberg and Anastasia Gribanova from the BBC Ukrainian Service discuss whether this signals a new phase in the w...
May 30, 2023•28 min
A missile strike on a medical centre in Dnipro has killed at least two people and injured dozens more. The BBC’s Ukraine correspondent James Waterhouse is there and describes the rescue operation. Shashank Joshi, defence editor at The Economist, explains why Russia has targeted healthcare facilities. And Daniele Palumbo from BBC Verify explains how his team checked the authenticity of video of the hospital. Today’s episode is presented by Victoria Derbyshire and Vitaly Shevchenko. Produced by Cl...
May 26, 2023•27 min
Armed insurgents have crossed the border from Ukraine to launch attacks in Russia's Belgorod region. Two Russian paramilitary groups claim they were responsible for the largest cross-border incursion since Russia's full-scale invasion began. We explore the motives of the two groups with BBC Russia Editor Steve Rosenberg. Also, how does the BBC decide which material shared on social media is accurate and which is disinformation? We’re joined by Olga Robinson from BBC Verify, who explains the tool...
May 23, 2023•31 min
The CIA has released a video to try to persuade ordinary Russians to share secrets, saying their children will thank them for standing up and being heroes. Also, the tale of Russian sleeper agents who lived undercover for years in New York - their friends and colleagues had no idea. The BBC’s Gordon Corera and producer Emma Weatherill discuss their new podcast Mother, Neighbor, Russian Spy. Diplomatic correspondent James Landale gives us the latest on the G7 summit in Hiroshima. And we hear from...
May 19, 2023•35 min
Ukraine’s air defences intercepted six hypersonic missiles fired by Russia over Kyiv, one of the most sophisticated weapons in Moscow’s arsenal. The BBC’s Frank Gardner breaks down the significance of the attack and recent arms pledges from the West. We’re also joined by Anastasia Gribanova from the BBC’s Ukrainian Service to talk about The Superhumans Center, a specialised clinic for Ukrainians offering free prosthetics, reconstruction treatment and PTSD counselling. Today’s episode is presente...
May 16, 2023•27 min
Ukraine’s President meets UK’s PM Sunak for talks on more military support. Long range missiles, drones and training are offered. International editor Jeremy Bowen appraises Monday’s meeting. Today’s episode is presented by Victoria Derbyshire and Vitaliy Shevchenko. The producers were Arsenii Sokolov and Clare Williamson. The technical producer was Sam Dickinson. The assistant editor is Alison Gee and the editor is Sam Bonham. Email [email protected] with your questions and comments. You ca...
May 15, 2023•14 min
What do the Russian people really think about the war? Former Russian diplomat, Alexander Baukov, and Russia expert, Dr Jade McGlynn, talk through how the war could end. And we get the latest from the frontline in the Donbass with BBC defence correspondent Jonathan Beale. Today’s episode is presented by Victoria Derbyshire and Gabriel Gatehouse. The producers were Arsenii Sokolov, Clare Williamson and Drew Hyndman. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The series producer is Fiona Leach. The ...
May 11, 2023•33 min
President Putin has said the world is at a "turning point” during Russia’s Victory Day parade and blamed the West for the war in Ukraine. The annual celebrations in Moscow to commemorate victory over Nazi Germany were slimmed down amid security concerns. Shashank Joshi, defence editor at The Economist, shares his thoughts on this year’s event and his analysis of what course the fighting could take in Ukraine. Katya Buchatska tells us about her film that documents a train journey across Ukraine -...
May 09, 2023•29 min
Can Ukraine get another Eurovision winner with Tvorchi? We hear from sound producer Andrii Hutsuliak and Tvorchi vocalist Jeffrey Kenny on their Eurovision experience and hopes for this year’s contest. The BBC’s Frank Gardner and Barbara Plett-Usher bring us up to speed on this week’s Kremlin drone attacks. What happened, why is Russia blaming the US, and where could this lead? Today’s episode is presented by Victoria Derbyshire and Vitaliy Shevchenko. The producers were Arsenii Sokolov, Clare W...
May 05, 2023•29 min
Moscow claims Kremlin drones were attempt by Kyiv to kill Putin. Vitaly and BBC Moscow’s Will Vernon discuss what happened when two drones appeared to strike at the Kremlin. Russia called the incident ‘a planned terrorist attack’ and said it constituted ‘an assassination attempt’ on President Putin. Ukraine has denied any involvement. If true, who could be behind it? Today’s episode is presented by Vitaliy Shevchenko and Will Vernon. The technical producer is Dafydd Evans. The series producer is...
May 03, 2023•12 min
Clubs in Kyiv and Liverpool are linking up for a simultaneous rave this weekend to celebrate Eurovision and show their solidarity. Hot Chip, DJ James Lavelle and experimental Ukrainian DJ Mingulitka will all be performing. Organisers Jez Collins and Vlad Yaremchuk explain how they have to work with the midnight curfew in Kyiv and how the ravers in both locations will be able to see each other on the dancefloor. Also, the BBC’s cyber correspondent Joe Tidy reflects on his recent visit to Ukraine ...
May 02, 2023•31 min
A three-year-old girl and her mum have been killed in the latest Russian attacks, according to the mayor of Dnipro. Officials said more children were killed in an attack that hit a block of flats in the central city of Uman. James Waterhouse brings us the latest. We also hear from a friend of Evan Gershkovich, the American journalist held in Russia on espionage charges. And Francis Scarr from BBC Monitoring tells us about Russia’s glossy new ads to encourage men to sign up for the military, and ...
Apr 28, 2023•29 min
How did Russia respond to the world’s worst nuclear accident? As the anniversary looms, and the International Atomic Energy Agency warns of worrying military activity in Ukraine’s current nuclear reactor, Vitaly recalls the Soviet response to the world’s worst nuclear accident. The BBC’s James Waterhouse updates us on the latest military moves in Ukraine. And we hear from musician Brad Paisley about what it was like performing for President Volodymyr Zelensky. Today’s episode is presented by Vic...
Apr 25, 2023•35 min
Explosions, mines and sonar could be harming endangered marine life in the Black Sea, according to scientists at a university in Poland. We speak to Ewa Węgrzyn, a professor of zoology who’s conducted the research. The BBC’s Frank Gardner talks to us about ghost spy ships and whether Russia could be using them to monitor key infrastructure sites in the North Sea for possible sabotage. And we hear from chef Yevhen Klopotenko, the unofficial ‘ambassador’ of Ukrainian cuisine, who delivers the fina...
Apr 21, 2023•25 min
The BBC has been calculating the number of Russians who have died in the war and civilian recruits make up a third of their frontline losses. Olga Ivshina of BBC Russian and Mark Urban, diplomatic editor at Newsnight, explain what this means for Russian families and the course of the conflict. And we hear from the director of the Kherson regional art museum, Alina Dotsenko, about the moment its treasures were taken away in unmarked vehicles. Today’s episode is presented by Lyse Doucet and Vitaly...
Apr 18, 2023•33 min
