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 t...
Jan 29, 2025•50 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 T...
Jan 28, 2025•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 o...
Jan 27, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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). @Ham...
Jan 24, 2025•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 fo...
Jan 23, 2025•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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). @FrancisDea...
Jan 22, 2025•52 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Defen...
Jan 21, 2025•57 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 (Associa...
Jan 20, 2025•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast Day 1,059. Today, we cover Ukrainian hits on a Russian refinery and gunpowder plot, reports of North Korean suicide troops, and Russian diplomats infiltrating the UK parliament. And we interview senior correspondent and author, Simon Shuster, on key decisions made by the outgoing Biden administration over the past three years. Contributors: Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Narrative Podcast Producer). @adeliepjz on X. Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Franci...
Jan 17, 2025•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast Day 1,058. Today, we follow Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s first official visit to Kyiv and the 100-year partnership deal he’s bringing with him. Plus we talk about a UN report that investigates alleged violations and abuses of human rights in the war against Ukraine by Russia. Contributors: Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Narrative Podcast Producer). @adeliepjz on X. Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Hamish de Bretton-Gordon (Chemical Weapons Expert and Former T...
Jan 16, 2025•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast Day 1,057. Today, as the impact of Monday’s huge aerial strikes inside Russia becomes clearer, we report how the British government’s policy to allow Ukrainians to stay in the UK is starting to unravel, we talk with the producers of a new film showing how one veteran of the war has sought solace in the Carpathian Mountains, and we hear how Germany’s right-wing AfD party is complaining that they're being cyberbullied by a pack of cartoon dogs. Contributors: Dominic Nicholls (Associate E...
Jan 15, 2025•53 min•Transcript available on Metacast Day 1,056. Today, we discuss one of the largest mass drone attacks of the war, as Ukraine sets sites in many territories across Russia ablaze, and then do a deep dive into what Western ‘boots on the ground’ as part of any peace settlement would actually mean in practice. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Joe Barnes (Brussels Correspondent). @Barnes_Joe on X. Content Refe...
Jan 14, 2025•57 min•Transcript available on Metacast Day 1,055 Today, as Kyiv captures its first North Korean soldiers alive, we return to the pivotal question of the Russian economy's fragility and later speak to Ukrainian actors who have recreated their own experience of the war. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist & Narrative Podcast Producer). @adeliepjz on X. Content Referenced: Ukr...
Jan 13, 2025•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast Day 1,052 Today, as top diplomat Kaja Kallas claims the EU will be ready to step into the breach if the US withdraws support for Ukraine, we discuss the latest weapon donations at Ramstein and include a dispatch from Kyiv at a drone workshop. Contributors: Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist & narrative podcast producer). @adeliepjz on X. Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. Content Re...
Jan 10, 2025•50 min•Transcript available on Metacast Day 1,051. Today, in a significant day in both the military and political realms, we discuss Trump’s new plans to end the war within the next 100 days, reports that Moscow paid for American and coalition troops killed in Afghanistan, and hear live from Syria. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Hamish de-Bretton Gordon (Chemical Weapons Expert and Former Tank Commander). @...
Jan 09, 2025•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Day 1,050. Today, as the new Ukrainian offensive in Kursk continues, we discuss the evolving picture in that region, look at the latest developments in unmanned aerial and land warfare, and fears superbugs spawned in war could spark the next pandemic. Contributors: Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. Arthur Scott Geddes (Deputy Global Health Editor). @ascottgeddes on X. Michael Bohnert ...
Jan 08, 2025•59 min•Transcript available on Metacast Day 1,049. Today, as Ukrainian forces continue to expand their lodgement inside Russia, we hear how a Ukrainian F-16 pilot shot down six Russian cruise missiles. We also have an interview with General The Lord Dannatt, former head of the British Army. Contributors: Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. With thanks to our guest General The Lord Dannatt, former head of the British Army. Epi...
Jan 07, 2025•1 hr•Transcript available on Metacast Day 1,048. Today, we discuss breaking news of a surprise counterattack in Kursk and its implications, consider how Kyiv is positioning itself before Trump's inauguration, and discuss the elections upcoming in Europe in 2025. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for 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 James Rothwell (Berlin Corresp...
Jan 06, 2025•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast Day 1,045. Today, after the latest updates from the battlefield, we hear about the cutting edge drones being used to wage war against Moscow's forces, and the moral conundrums they raise. Plus, we consider the state of the Russian economy as we enter 2025. Contributors: Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. Francis Farrell (Report, The Kyiv Independent). @francisjfarrell on X. Content ref...
Jan 03, 2025•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast Day 1,044. Today, we look at the likely military innovations and political events in the year to come. We also report on Russia's decisions to ban crypto-currency mining to preserve its energy grid and to charge nightclub attendees for trying to arouse interest in non-traditional relations. How portentous will 2025 be for Russia? Contributors: Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. Content...
Jan 02, 2025•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast Today, in a special short episode recorded in the frontline city of Kharkiv, Francis Dearnley interviews a woman who had to flee her home "the day the Russians came", and how life for her and her relatives has been changed forever. Recorded by Adélie Pojzman-Pontay and Jack Leather. Edited by James Shield. Video of Kharkiv Dispatch with Francis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gi20lWX4Fyk Donate to David's charity: This Christmas, the Telegraph is honouring the life and work of our late colleagu...
Dec 31, 2024•11 min•Transcript available on Metacast Day 1,041 Today, we report how Azerbaijan's President accuses Russia of trying to "hush up" Moscow's responsibility for the doomed jet and we hear about a new Fellowship in the name of Ukrainian writer and friend to the podcast, Victoria Amelina. Contributors: Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Dr Sasha Dovzhyk (Director of Index Ukraine). @sasha_weirdsley on X. Links: Victoria Amelina Fellowship: https://www.index-ukraine.org/news/victoria-amelina-fello...
Dec 30, 2024•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast Day 1,038 Today, we look at Russia’s Christmas day attack and the highly suspicious crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane, and we interview a former beautician based in Kharkiv, who decided to train as an explosive ordnance specialist after the war began. Contributors: Venetia Rainey (Co-host Battle Lines podcast). @venetiarainey on X. Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). @FrancisDearnley on X. Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist & narrative podcast producer). @ad...
Dec 27, 2024•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast Today, in a special episode recorded before his death, David Knowles attends a football match in Ukraine, exploring how 'the beautiful game' has served as an anchor in a country at war. Produced by Rachel Porter. Donate to David's charity: This Christmas, the Telegraph is honouring the life and work of our late colleague David Knowles by working with Humanity & Inclusion, a charity helping the ill, vulnerable and disabled left behind in Ukraine’s warzones. You c...
Dec 24, 2024•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast Day 1,034 Today, in addition to military and political updates, we report speculations about potential offensives over the New Year period, and feature an interview we did in Kharkiv with a lady who lived under Russian occupation. Then, we end with music in David's memory. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). @FrancisDearnley on X. Venetia Rainey (Co-host Battle Lines podcast). @venetiarainey on X. Video of Kharkiv Dispatch with Francis: https://www.youtube...
Dec 23, 2024•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast Day 1,031 Today, as Kyiv comes under renewed intense bombardment, we speculate over a possible Russian advance in the South, and later, we interview a blind lawyer in Kharkiv. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor, Defence). @DomNicholls on X. With thanks to Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist & narrative podcast producer). @adeliepjz on X. Donate to David's charity: This Christmas, the Telegraph is honour...
Dec 20, 2024•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast Day : 1,030 Today, as continued attacks on civilians in the Kherson area suggest Russia’s so-called 'human safari' is ongoing, we report on Putin’s annual press conference, where he said Russia had ‘reached all its goals’ in Syria. Then, our latest dispatch from the frontline city of Kharkiv. Contributors: Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor, Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). @FrancisDearnley on X. Hamish de Bretton Gordon (Former Tank Commander). @HamishDB...
Dec 19, 2024•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast Day 1,029. Today, as the fallout from the assassination in Moscow of General Kirillov continues, we report on the environmental damage being wrought along Russia’s Black Sea coast following the loss of shadow-fleet tankers and examine the possible poisoning of the mother of Russian opposition activist Vladimir Kara-Murza. Contributors: Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. James Kilner (Foreign Correspondent). @jkjourno on X. Daniel Hardaker (Foreign Correspondent). ...
Dec 18, 2024•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast Day 1,028. Today, we react to the news that the Russian general in charge of the military’s nuclear and chemical weapons division has been assassinated in a scooter bomb attack, we hear live from the Joint Expeditionary Force summit in Estonia, and we hear our latest dispatch from the frontline city of Kharkiv. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Hamish De Bretton-Gordon (Former ...
Dec 17, 2024•53 min•Transcript available on Metacast Day 1,027. Today, as video evidence emerges of North Korean troops in combat, in a special episode we hear a report David Knowles recorded before his death which looks deeper into the question of Pyongyang’s early involvement in this war, and hear about the charity we are fundraising for this year, in David’s memory. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalis...
Dec 16, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
