Day 1,169.

Today, as – for the third day running – Ukrainian drones sow chaos in the skies above Moscow, we analyse the final preparations for Putin’s Victory Day parade, and discuss President Biden’s first interview since leaving office, hours after Friedrich Merz finally became Chancellor of Germany at a pivotal moment in modern European history.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnely on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X

James Kilner (Editor of The Central Asia & South Caucasus Bulletin and The Russia Morning Memo). @jkjourno on X

Content Referenced:

James Kilner’s Bulletins -

The Russian Memo: https://www.thememo.news/

The Central Asia and South Caucasus Bulletin: https://www.thememo.news/

Battle Lines episode on India-Pakistan fears:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/04/28/battle-lines-global-rearmament-india-pakistan-kashmir/

Interview with Biden Advisor Mike Carpenter:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2DeReNhsKg

Biden: Trump is appeasing Putin, that’s not who we are (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/05/07/biden-trump-is-appeasing-putin-that-is-not-who-we-are/

Merz becomes chancellor of ‘unstable’ Germany after first vote humiliation (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/05/06/merz-unexpectedly-fails-not-elected-as-german-chancellor/

Europe vows to halt all Russian gas imports (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/05/07/europe-vows-to-halt-all-russian-gas-imports/

What If America Abandons Ukraine? (Foreign Affairs):

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/ukraine/what-if-america-abandons-ukraine

SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/

Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers.

NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:

The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them, or click the links below.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,168.

Today, as Friedrich Merz suffers a “humiliating and unexpected setback” on his way to becoming German Chancellor, we report how the Kremlin is preparing for Friday’s Victory Day parade, all while nervously watching the skies for Ukrainian drones, after two successive nights of attacks on Moscow.

Contributors:

Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X

Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnely on X.

With thanks to Ash Bhardwaj, an award-winning journalist, broadcaster, and author, who specialises in blending defence, security and travel.

SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/

Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers.

Content Referenced:

Video Special of Ukraine: The Latest Answering Your Questions:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9szTxRfF7TU

'Taras' Film Screening with Dom Nicholls on Wednesday:

https://www.ucl.ac.uk/bloomsbury-theatre/events/2025/may/ua-x-ucl-taras-film-screening

Edgelands: Stories from the Russian border (Ash Bhardwaj’s Telegraph Podcast):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/edgelands/

Ash’s Event in London on Thursday:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-travel-builds-purpose-resilience-and-emotional-fitness-tickets-1321565882129?aff=oddtdtcreator

Starmer prepares for attack by Russia (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/05/05/starmer-prepares-for-attack-by-russia/

Russia used thermobaric weapons in drone strike on Kharkiv, Ukrainian prosecutors say (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/russia-used-thermobaric-weapons-in-drone-strike-on-kharkiv-ukrainian-prosecutors-say/?mc_cid=fa397ac35b&mc_eid=08d0680a95

NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:

The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them, or click the links below.

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, on a public holiday in the UK, we answer questions submitted by listeners around the world. What's it like being shot at in a tank? What would happen in the US suddenly stopped supporting Ukraine? Why do missiles do more damage in Ukraine than in Israel? And what could give the 'Coalition of the Willing' more bite? Is 2025 the year Russian economy finally collapses? Plus many more.

See Dom, Francis and Adélie in our studio by watching this episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/9szTxRfF7TU

SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/

Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting.

It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers to The Telegraph.

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,164.

Today, as a drone attack hits Russian airbases in occupied Crimea, we continue to unpack the minerals deal signed between the US and Ukraine and we contemplate whether the US might be pulling out of the peace negotiations. We also look at the latest news from Central Asia and we hear from a visual artist who donated a photograph to the Kherson Art Museum, which was looted by Russian soldiers in 2022.

Contributors:

Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Narrative Podcast Producer). @adeliepjz on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X

James Kilner (Foreign Correspondent). @jkjourno on X.

With thanks to Emeric Lhuisset (visual artist). @emericlhuisset on Insta.

SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/

Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers.

Content Referenced:

Massive drone attack reportedly targets Russian military sites in occupied Crimea

https://kyivindependent.com/massive-drone-attack-targets-russian-military-sites-in-occupied-crimea/

F-16s Pulled From U.S. Boneyard Are Being Delivered To Ukraine For Spare Parts

https://www.twz.com/air/f-16s-pulled-from-u-s-boneyard-are-being-delivered-to-ukraine-for-spare-parts

TED Talk by Palmer Luckey, the founder of Anduril Industries:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooMXEwl7N8Y

On Chernobyl fallout in southern Belarus, in The Dial:

“No Entry” — The Dial

On Emeric Lhuisset's work, From a painting to a viral photo, a fight for Ukraine's history, Le Monde:

https://www.lemonde.fr/en/culture/article/2023/11/22/from-a-painting-to-a-viral-photo-a-fight-for-ukraine-s-history_6279646_30.html

Fundraising for the British Heart Foundation, in memory of David Knowles

https://www.justgiving.com/page/rhcc-vs-lwcc?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=WA&utm_campaign=015#supportersList

NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:

The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them, or click the links below.

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,163.

Today, as the United States and Ukraine finally sign a much-revised minerals deal, we look at what it might mean for the future security of Ukraine – and we return to Germany to examine the first appointments of Friedrich Merz’s top team and ask why some commentators are questioning whether members of the German elite are really serious about rearmament, or would perhaps prefer a rapprochement with Russia.

Contributors:

Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X

Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.

James Rothwell (Berlin Correspondent). @JamesERothwell on X.

SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/

Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting.

It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers.

Content Referenced:

Trump minerals deal blames Putin for invasion (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/05/01/russia-ukraine-zelensky-putin-war-trump-latest-news/

Trump OKs First Cash Weapons Sale to Kyiv, Partly Lifts Hold on Ukrainian Military Aid (Kyiv Post):

https://www.kyivpost.com/post/51800

Realizing America’s Drone Revolution (War on the Rocks):

https://warontherocks.com/2025/04/realizing-americas-drone-revolution/

Hundreds of North Korean troops killed while fighting Ukraine, Seoul says (Reuters):

https://www.reuters.com/world/about-600-north-koreans-killed-ukraine-war-south-korean-lawmaker-says-2025-04-30/

NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:

The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them, or click the links below.

Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatest

Learn more about the tech: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/24/ukraine-the-latest-podcast-russian-ukrainian-ai-translation/

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,162.

Today, as Russian troops intensify offensive operations in several oblasts – Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson – we talk about the latest conversations amongst the coalition of the willing, where the tone is decidedly pessimistic. Then we do a deeper dive into the latest positions of China, Turkey, and Syria in relation to the war.

Contributors:

Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Narrative Podcast Producer) @Adeliepjz on X.

Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Sophia Yan (Senior Foreign Correspondent). @sophia_yan on X.

Content Referenced:

SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/

Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting.

It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers.

Sophia Yan’s Podcasts on China -

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/how-to-become-a-dictator-podcast/

Europe ‘would struggle to put 25,000 troops on the ground in Ukraine’ (The Times):

https://www.thetimes.com/uk/defence/article/europe-uk-peacekeeping-troops-ukraine-6tp2cfgg5

Europe fears Trump preparing to walk away from Ukraine talks (Financial Times):

https://www.ft.com/content/2f7af030-7466-4c10-9c7c-a7ceaa03a70a

Russia intensifies offensive operations in 3 regions, pushes toward Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, Ukraine's military says (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/russia-intensifies-offensive-operations-in-3-regions-pushes-toward-dnipropetrovsk-oblast-ukraines-military-says/?mc_cid=063ac27037&mc_eid=08d0680a95

Putin Renames Volgograd Airport ‘Stalingrad’ to Honor WWII Battle (Moscow Times):

https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/04/30/putin-renames-volgograd-airport-stalingrad-to-honor-wwii-battle-a88920

‘Do you want to show strength here?’: Russia’s ads recruiting Chinese mercenaries (The Guardian):

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/10/russia-social-media-ads-videos-recruiting-china-mercenaries

Video About Chinese Soldiers Fighting for Russia:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syKWPralGKQ

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,161.

Today, as Trump pushes back against Vladimir Putin’s three-day ceasefire proposal, we discuss the recent reflections of the former commander of Ukraine’s armed forces and his bold predictions for the future of warfare. Plus, we hear frontline reaction from soldiers to the so-called pauses in the fighting. Are they real?

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Svitlana Morenets (Staff Writer at The Spectator). @SvMorenets on X.

Hamish De Bretton-Gordon (Chemical Weapons Expert and Former Tank Commander). @HamishDBG on X.

Content Referenced:

The evolving nature of warfare has redefined the fundamental principles of global security: the Ukrainian experience and the emerging world order (Valerii Zaluzhnyi’s speech):

https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/columns/2025/04/25/7509135/

Russia threatens Nato with nuclear strikes (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/04/29/russia-ukraine-zelensky-putin-war-latest-news529/

North Korea confirms it sent troops to fight for Russia (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/04/28/north-korea-confirms-sent-troops-fight-russia/

A fleet of aging army tanks donated to Ukraine is yet to leave Australia (ABC News):

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-28/aging-tanks-donated-to-ukraine-are-yet-to-leave-australia/105226280

Russia’s ‘Ghost Detainees’: The Investigation That Cost Viktoriia Roshchyna Her Life (Forbidden Stories):

https://forbiddenstories.org/russia-detainees-investigation-viktoriia-roshchyna/

NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:

The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them, or click the links below.

Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatest

Learn more about the tech: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/24/ukraine-the-latest-podcast-russian-ukrainian-ai-translation/

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,160.

Today, as Vladimir Putin announces a sudden three-day ceasefire in May, we assess just how meaningful it really is, and ask: why now? Then we analyse another extraordinary weekend of diplomacy at Pope Francis’s funeral, before learning more about the history of the Donbas: a region where much of the war’s fiercest fighting has taken place.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X

With thanks to Victoria Donovan (Professor of Ukrainian and East European Studies at the University of St Andrews). @vsdonovan on X.

Content Referenced:

Victoria’s Book: ‘Life in Spite of Everything: Tales from the Ukrainian East’:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Life-Spite-Everything-Tales-Ukrainian/dp/1917092148

Freefilmers - a collective of filmmakers and artists, originally from Mariupol:

https://help-freefilmers.network/

Behind the scenes at Trump’s most extraordinary meeting yet (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/04/28/russia-ukraine-zelensky-putin-war-ceasefire-latest-news529/

The Russian Military Moves That Have Europe on Edge (Wall Street Journal):

https://www.wsj.com/world/russia/russia-military-nato-europe-finland-ff53b912

The ugly task of Putin-proofing your border (The Economist):

https://www.economist.com/international/2025/04/22/the-ugly-task-of-putin-proofing-your-border

NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:

The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them, or click the links below.

Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatest

Learn more about the tech: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/02/24/ukraine-the-latest-podcast-russian-ukrainian-ai-translation/

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.