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 (Journalist & narrative podcast producer). @adeliepjz on X.

David Knowles (Host & Creator).

With thanks to Damien Spleeters (Director of Expeditionary Operations, Conflict Armament Research) @damspleet on X, Ihor Nalyvaiko (translator), and the team from Conflict Armament Research in Kyiv.

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 can donate here:

https://telegraph.ctdonate.org/

Content Referenced:

Telegraph’s David Knowles, who launched Ukraine podcast, wins posthumous award (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/12/15/the-telegraph-david-knowles-ukraine-the-latest-award/

Russian oil tankers sink off coast of Crimea (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/12/15/russian-oil-tankers-sink-off-coast-of-crimea/

Covert Shores:

http://www.hisutton.com/

Ukraine delays critical minerals deal with US ‘so Trump can claim credit’ (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/12/15/ukraine-delays-critical-minerals-deal-us-trump-claim-credit/

Russia pulls hundreds of troops out of Damascus (Financial Times):

https://www.ft.com/content/6782dbd1-39cb-48b4-8b94-92925dbd60d5

‌

Episode description

Massacre in Russia: North Korean troops 'decimated' in frontal attack in Kursk

Episode description