Ukraine: The Latest

Kremlin insider: ‘we don't plan to win the war’ & FSB claims 150,000 Russians used special ‘helplines’ to denounce fellow citizens

Day 1,464. Today, we bring you live dispatches from the north, east, and south of Ukraine following fresh Russian attacks overnight, as a United States delegation meets Ukrainian officials to prepare the next round of trilateral peace talks with Russia in Geneva. We also provide the latest updates on resistance activities in the occupied territories, and take a broader look at the state of Russian society after four years of Putin’s full-scale war – including the impact of sanctions, suppression, economic strain and, yes, updates on skyrocketing cucumber prices. Contributors Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X. Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @adeliepjz on X. Dr Jade McGlynn (War Studies Department of King's College). @DrJadeMcGlynn on X. James Kilner (Russia Analyst). @jkjourno on X. NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE: Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://youtu.be/oBdgGjJYVt0 [ https://youtu.be/oBdgGjJYVt0] CONTENT REFERENCED: Russians load up on antidepressants after four years of war (The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/15/russians-antidepressants-war-ukraine-prozac-putin/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/15/russians-antidepressants-war-ukraine-prozac-putin/]  Traumatised and unable to speak: The Ukrainian children haunted by war (The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/27/traumatised-ukrainian-children-haunted-by-war/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/27/traumatised-ukrainian-children-haunted-by-war/]  Paratroopers prepare for possible Ukraine peacekeeping mission (The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/02/26/paratroopers-prepare-for-possible-ukraine-peacekeeping/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/02/26/paratroopers-prepare-for-possible-ukraine-peacekeeping/]  Is the Trump-Starmer bromance over? (The Spectator): https://spectator.com/article/has-it-all-gone-wrong-between-trump-and-starmer/?edition=us [https://spectator.com/article/has-it-all-gone-wrong-between-trump-and-starmer/?edition=us]  WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: Our weekly newsletter includes maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons, answers your questions, provides recommended reading, and gives exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights.. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers. Join here – http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter [http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter]  EMAIL US: Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk [ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk] . We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many on air and in our newsletter as possible. Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest [http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest] Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk [ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Missile barrage slams Ukraine & Putin bans recruitment of foreign soldiers to placate allies

Day 1,463. Today, after a mass Russian aerial bombardment struck multiple regions across Ukraine, we report from Kyiv and eastern Ukraine on what it was like on the ground during the latest wave of drone and missile attacks. We then hear about Dom’s visit to a Ukrainian HUR military intelligence base in Zaporizhzhia, and examine reports that Vladimir Putin has been forced to curb the recruitment of foreign fighters to avoid diplomatic fallout with key allies. We also discuss the battlefield “kill ratio” that could undermine Russia’s war effort, and new air defence systems being developed that claim the capability to intercept nuclear missiles. Contributors Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). Rozina Sabur (National Security Editor, The Telegraph). Svitlana Morenets (Ukrainian Journalist). NOW AVAILABLE IN VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE: Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://youtu.be/a5R4_917y_Q?si=Pj95IZlEuSQ5y_qf CONTENT REFERENCED: How Ukraine turned hobby drones into precision killing machines (The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/26/ukraine-fpv-drones-evolution-precision-killing-machines/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/26/ukraine-fpv-drones-evolution-precision-killing-machines/]  Russia’s air defences could shoot down Britain’s nuclear missiles (The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/26/russia-air-defences-could-shoot-down-britain-missiles/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/26/russia-air-defences-could-shoot-down-britain-missiles/]  First Ukrainian drone factory opens in Britain (The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/02/26/first-ukrainian-drone-factory-opens-in-britain/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/02/26/first-ukrainian-drone-factory-opens-in-britain/]  The kill ratio that can sink Putin’s war (The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/24/the-kill-ratio-that-can-sink-putin-war/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/24/the-kill-ratio-that-can-sink-putin-war/]  Putin bans recruitment of foreign soldiers to placate African allies (The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/25/putin-bans-foreign-soldiers-to-placate-african-allies/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/25/putin-bans-foreign-soldiers-to-placate-african-allies/]  Allies bow to Putin over Ukraine peace troops (The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/24/allies-bow-to-putin-over-ukraine-peace-troops/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/24/allies-bow-to-putin-over-ukraine-peace-troops/] WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: Our weekly newsletter includes maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons, answers your questions, provides recommended reading, and gives exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights.. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers. Join here – http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter [http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter]  EMAIL US: Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk [ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk] . We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many on air and in our newsletter as possible. Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest [http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest] Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk [ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Ukraine hits 'critical' Druzhba oil pipeline in Russia's Tatarstan & ‘I outran Putin’s blitzkrieg four years ago: he never caught up’

Day 1,462. Today, as Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine enters its fifth year, we report live from Kyiv the morning after world leaders gathered in the Ukrainian capital to reaffirm their support for President Zelensky. With a new round of Ukraine-Russia-US peace talks scheduled in Geneva and fresh Russian aerial attacks across the country, we ask whether there is any tangible movement – aside from continued Ukrainian advances in the south. We also examine reports that Russia is sending migrants into Europe through covert routes as part of a hybrid strategy, and consider why Kyiv has not been targeted in the air war for several consecutive days. Plus, memories from our correspondents of being in Ukraine when the invasion began, and outrunning the expected Russian blitzkrieg. Contributors Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X. Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist and Producer). @adeliepjz on X. Venetia Rainey (Co-host Battle Lines podcast). @venetiarainey on X. Roland Oliphant (Co-host Battle Lines podcast). @RolandOliphant on X. James Rothwell (Berlin Correspondent). @JamesERothwell on X. NOW AVAILABLE IN VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE: Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://youtu.be/1fIYPjtdNa8?si=B7tHxw3CxQGAy3OG CONTENT REFERENCED: Four years ago, I outran what I thought was a blitzkrieg. The Russian army has still not caught up (Roland Oliphant in The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/02/24/four-years-ago-i-outran-what-i-thought-was-a-blitzkrieg/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/02/24/four-years-ago-i-outran-what-i-thought-was-a-blitzkrieg/] Russia sends migrants into Europe through secret tunnels (James Rothwell in The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/25/russia-sends-migrants-into-europe-through-secret-tunnels/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/25/russia-sends-migrants-into-europe-through-secret-tunnels/]  Nato will strike ‘deep inside Russia’ if Putin hits Baltics (James Rothwell in The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/16/nato-air-strikes-deep-in-russia-if-putin-hits-baltics/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/16/nato-air-strikes-deep-in-russia-if-putin-hits-baltics/]  Russian whistleblower’s sudden death in Surrey ‘needs reinvestigating’ (James Rothwell in The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/15/russian-whistleblower-sudden-death-needs-reinvestigating-uk/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/15/russian-whistleblower-sudden-death-needs-reinvestigating-uk/]  WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: Our weekly newsletter includes maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons, answers your questions, provides recommended reading, and gives exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights.. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers. Join here – http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter [http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter]  EMAIL US: Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk [ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk] . We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many on air and in our newsletter as possible. Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest [http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest] Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk [ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Russian troops now being ‘killed faster than Kremlin can recruit’ & world leaders gather in Kyiv to mark fourth anniversary of full-scale war

Day 1,461. Today, as world leaders gather in Kyiv to mark the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, we report live from two different regions of the country, covering the latest attacks from air and land and assessing the current battlefield picture. We reflect on the resilience of Ukrainians after years of war, and bring updates on an explosion in Moscow as well as reports suggesting that Moscow is now losing more soldiers on the frontline than it can recruit to sustain Vladimir Putin’s war effort. Contributors Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X. Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @adeliepjz on X. The Lord Dannatt (former head of the British Army) Orysia Lutsevych OBE (Head of the Ukraine Forum at Chatham House) NOW AVAILABLE IN VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE: Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbOESRLia8o [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbOESRLia8o] CONTENT REFERENCED: The kill ratio that can sink Putin’s war (The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/24/the-kill-ratio-that-can-sink-putin-war/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/24/the-kill-ratio-that-can-sink-putin-war/]  Moscow train station explosion kills police officer (The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/24/explosion-outside-moscow-train-station-kills-police-officer/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/24/explosion-outside-moscow-train-station-kills-police-officer/]  Russian soldiers being killed faster than Kremlin can recruit them (The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/24/russian-soldiers-killed-faster-than-kremlin-can-recruit/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/24/russian-soldiers-killed-faster-than-kremlin-can-recruit/]  Britain on ‘collision course’ with Russia, head of Army warns (The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/02/24/britain-on-collision-course-with-russia-head-of-army-warns/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/02/24/britain-on-collision-course-with-russia-head-of-army-warns/] WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: Our weekly newsletter includes maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons, answers your questions, provides recommended reading, and gives exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights.. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers. Join here – http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter [http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter]  EMAIL US: Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk [ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk] . We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many on air and in our newsletter as possible. Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest [http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest] Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk [ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Putin ‘has started World War III’, says Zelensky on eve of invasion’s fourth anniversary

Day 1,460. Today, reporting live from Ukraine on the eve of the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, we cover fresh bombardments on both Ukrainian and Russian territory, the investigation into an explosive device that killed a police officer in Lviv and injured dozens more, and President Zelensky’s claims that Ukrainian forces have liberated 300 square kilometres in southern Ukraine – and that the Third World War has “already begun.” Plus, we hear reflections from our Europe Editor, and our Chief Foreign Affairs Commentator, who was inside No 10 Downing Street when Vladimir Putin launched the invasion in February 2022, on the calculations made in London at the outset of Russia’s war in Ukraine. Contributors Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. James Crisp (Europe Editor). @JamesCrisp6 on X. David Blair (Chief Foreign Correspondent). @davidblairdt on X. Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist and Producer). @adeliepjzon X. NOW AVAILABLE IN VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE: Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLAhzX5V56Y [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLAhzX5V56Y]   CONTENT REFERENCED: Zelensky accuses Putin of starting World War Three (The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/02/23/zelensky-putin-russia-ukraine-world-war-three/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/02/23/zelensky-putin-russia-ukraine-world-war-three/] Russia kills Ukrainian civilians as anniversary of invasion approaches (The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/22/russia-strikes-kyiv-with-ballistic-missiles/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/22/russia-strikes-kyiv-with-ballistic-missiles/]  Ukraine strikes long-range missile plant 1,400km behind Russian lines (The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/21/ukraine-strikes-long-range-missile-factory-russia/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/21/ukraine-strikes-long-range-missile-factory-russia/]  Ukrainian held after bombs kill policewoman, 23, in Lviv (The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/22/ukrainian-woman-arrest-lviv-kremlin-terror-attacks/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/22/ukrainian-woman-arrest-lviv-kremlin-terror-attacks/]  Healey: I want to send British troops to Ukraine (The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2026/02/21/healey-i-want-to-send-british-troops-to-ukraine/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2026/02/21/healey-i-want-to-send-british-troops-to-ukraine/]  WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: Our weekly newsletter includes maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons, answers your questions, provides recommended reading, and gives exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights.. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers. Join here – http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter [http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter]  EMAIL US: Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk [ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk] . We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many on air and in our newsletter as possible. Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest [http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest] Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk [ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.