Ukraine: The Latest

Ukraine strikes Chechen special forces ahead of Putin-Witkoff talks & Russian troops ‘sent to slaughter’ without helmets or armour

Day 1,377. Today, on a national day of mourning in Ukraine after a single ballistic missile strike killed four people and injured forty more, we report on the arrival of the US delegation in Moscow as the latest round of peace talks gets under way. Then we hear from our Washington Correspondent on the mood in the United States toward Ukraine – and the current strength of President Trump – and take a deep dive into how Russian soldiers are being sent into combat without helmets or body armour. Contributors Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor, Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Verity Bowman (Foreign Correspondent). @VerityBowman on X. Connor Stringer (Washington Correspondent). @connor_stringer on X. SIGN UP TO THE ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter [http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter]   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: Russian troops sent to slaughter with no helmets or armour (Verity in The Telegraph): https://tinyurl.com/yc4aysxr [https://tinyurl.com/yc4aysxr] Ukraine strikes Chechen special forces unit ahead of Putin-Witkoff talks (The Telegraph): https://tinyurl.com/3f9s4vu5 [https://tinyurl.com/3f9s4vu5] Zelensky warns US not to reward Putin (The Telegraph): https://tinyurl.com/y685hcpc [https://tinyurl.com/y685hcpc] Ex-British soldier ‘helped Russia assassinate prominent Ukrainians’ (The Telegraph): https://tinyurl.com/bdft3f7m [https://tinyurl.com/bdft3f7m] ECB refuses to provide backstop for €140bn Ukraine loan (Financial Times): https://www.ft.com/content/616c79ee-34de-425a-865e-e94ba10be788 [https://www.ft.com/content/616c79ee-34de-425a-865e-e94ba10be788?utm_social_post_id=612053531&utm_social_handle_id=18949452] Ukraine has brought back 1,859 Russia-abducted children, Zelenska says in Paris (Kyiv Independent): https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-says-1-859-abducted-children-have-been-returned-zelenska-tells-paris-summit [https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-says-1-859-abducted-children-have-been-returned-zelenska-tells-paris-summit]  Five South Africans in court over alleged recruitment for Russia’s war in Ukraine (The Guardian): https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/01/south-africans-court-alleged-recruitment-russia-war-ukraine [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/01/south-africans-court-alleged-recruitment-russia-war-ukraine]  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.

Drone boats blow up Russian oil tankers & missile blitz leaves 600,000 without power

Day 1,376. Today, after a fresh round of talks between the Ukrainian and American delegations in Miami, we examine a new investigation exposing the Trump administration’s profit motives behind the emerging proposals. We then assess the resignation of Andriy Yermak, formerly Zelensky’s right-hand man, and the unexpected intervention of former Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi – viewed as preparing for a presidential run after the war. Afterwards, we analyse Kyiv’s decision to strike the Russian shadow fleet off the coast of Senegal, and how Europe – and France in particular – is positioning itself for this next, volatile phase. Contributors Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist and Producer). @adeliepjz on X. 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. SIGN UP TO THE ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter [http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter]   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: Valerii Zaluzhnyi: How to defeat Putin and build a better Ukraine (The Telegraph): https://tinyurl.com/582phz7b [https://tinyurl.com/582phz7b] Zelensky meets Macron in Paris (The Telegraph Live Blog): https://tinyurl.com/4vspzy8y [https://tinyurl.com/4vspzy8y] Ukrainian drone boats blow up Russian oil tankers (The Telegraph): https://tinyurl.com/5evypnz5 [https://tinyurl.com/5evypnz5] Zelensky’s chief of staff goes to front line after resigning over corruption scandal (The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/11/29/zelensky-chief-of-staff-andriy-yermak-goes-to-front-line/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/11/29/zelensky-chief-of-staff-andriy-yermak-goes-to-front-line/]  Kyiv’s new peace talks chief caught in same corruption scandal as ousted predecessor (The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/11/30/ukraine-make-or-break-week-survival-witkoff/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/11/30/ukraine-make-or-break-week-survival-witkoff/]  Antony Beevor: For Russia, conspicuous cruelty is a necessary weapon of war (The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/11/30/antony-beevor-interview/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/11/30/antony-beevor-interview/]  Make Money Not War: Trump’s Real Plan for Peace in Ukraine (Wall Street Journal): https://www.wsj.com/world/russia/russia-u-s-peace-business-ties-4db9b290 [https://www.wsj.com/world/russia/russia-u-s-peace-business-ties-4db9b290]  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.

Exclusive: Trump hands Putin Ukraine’s occupied territories & Putin says ‘Russia ready to fight until last Ukrainian dies’

Day 1,373. Today, in a world exclusive, we report how Donald Trump is preparing to hand over Ukraine’s occupied territories, as his team prepares to fly to Moscow to present the plan to Vladimir Putin. Meanwhile, the Russian President claims his country’s army “cannot be held back”, as Russia experiences one of the heaviest drone raids of the war. Then, we turn to Kyiv, where the offices of the head of President Zelensky’s office – Andriy Yermak – were dramatically raided by anti-corruption officers. And later, at a time when leaders talk about gifting land to the Kremlin, we bring you unheard, rare testimony of what it’s like to live under Russian control in those regions, and what many more millions may soon be condemned to endure. Contributors Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. With thanks to "Anna". SIGN UP TO THE ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter [http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter]   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 hands Putin Ukraine’s occupied territories (The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/11/28/trump-to-recognise-occupied-ukraine-part-of-russia/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/11/28/trump-to-recognise-occupied-ukraine-part-of-russia/]  Zelensky’s chief of staff raided by anti-corruption officers (The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/11/28/zelenskys-chief-of-staff-raided-by-anti-corruption-officers/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/11/28/zelenskys-chief-of-staff-raided-by-anti-corruption-officers/]  Putin: Russia ready to fight until last Ukrainian dies (The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/11/27/putin-says-russia-ready-fight-until-last-ukrainian-dies/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/11/27/putin-says-russia-ready-fight-until-last-ukrainian-dies/]  Russia tightens grip on occupied Ukraine with illegal mobilization and child militarization, experts warn (Kyiv Independent): https://kyivindependent.com/russia-tightens-grip-on-occupied-ukraine-with-illegal-mobilization-and-child-militarization-experts-warn/ [https://kyivindependent.com/russia-tightens-grip-on-occupied-ukraine-with-illegal-mobilization-and-child-militarization-experts-warn/]  Ukraine Says It Won’t Give Up Land to Russia (The Atlantic): https://www.theatlantic.com/national-security/2025/11/ukraine-zelensky-russia-trump-peace-land-red-line/685090/ [https://www.theatlantic.com/national-security/2025/11/ukraine-zelensky-russia-trump-peace-land-red-line/685090/]  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.

US row intensifies as Trump team demands Ukraine agree deal 'before security guarantees' & Ukrainian counterattack recaptures key positions in Pokrovsk

Day 1,372. Today, as Thanksgiving is marked in the United States – and supposedly the day by which Ukraine was meant to agree to a peace deal, a deadline Donald Trump has now walked back – Russia denies leaking the phone call in which Steve Witkoff coached Vladimir Putin’s top aides on how to flatter the former president. We assess whether Marco Rubio’s apparent demand – that a peace deal be signed before the US grants Ukraine any security guarantees – is remotely deliverable. We also report on how Moldovan authorities attempted to return a Russian drone that violated their airspace. And later, we hear from the Ukrainian public, and gauge their reaction to this week’s extraordinary developments. Contributors Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. With thanks to Svitlana Morenets, columnist at the Spectator. SIGN UP TO THE ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter [http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter]   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: Who leaked Witkoff’s Kremlin call? These are the main suspects (The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/11/26/steve-witkoff-kremlin-call-main-suspects-witi-leaks/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/11/26/steve-witkoff-kremlin-call-main-suspects-witi-leaks/]  Made in Moscow: The “U.S. peace plan” for Ukraine was substantially formulated months ago by Kremlin operative Kirill Dmitriev (The Insider): https://theins.press/en/politics/287159 [https://theins.press/en/politics/287159]  Allies worry US demands Ukraine deal before security guarantees (POLITICO): https://www.politico.com/news/2025/11/26/us-demands-peace-deal-before-security-guarantees-for-ukraine-00670210 [https://www.politico.com/news/2025/11/26/us-demands-peace-deal-before-security-guarantees-for-ukraine-00670210]  Moldova's Foreign Ministry confronts Russian ambassador with drone that violated country's airspace (Kyiv Independent): https://kyivindependent.com/moldovas-foreign-ministry-confronts-russian-ambassador-with-drone-that-violated-countrys-airspace/ [https://kyivindependent.com/moldovas-foreign-ministry-confronts-russian-ambassador-with-drone-that-violated-countrys-airspace/]  A better way to craft a reparations loan (Hugo Dixon of the Ukraine Reparations Loan): https://www.ukrainereparationsloan.com/post/a-better-way-to-craft-a-reparations-loan [https://www.ukrainereparationsloan.com/post/a-better-way-to-craft-a-reparations-loan]  Zarah Sultana’s pompous, luxury beliefs about Ukraine (The Spectator): https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/zarah-sultanas-pompous-luxury-beliefs-about-ukraine/ 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.

Trump: Putin is ‘making concessions’ in peace talks & US envoy Witkoff coaches Kremlin negotiator in leaked call

Day 1,371. Today, as a leaked call reveals that Steve Witkoff, the US special envoy to Russia, coached a Kremlin negotiator on how to make Donald Trump more favourable to Moscow’s position, we examine the fallout – or the lack of it. We also assess new signals that Trump’s much-trailed Thursday deadline may not be as cast-iron as claimed. Then we turn to the reaction from Moscow and across Europe’s parliaments: alarm, or business as usual? Contributors Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. James Kilner (Foreign Correspondent). @jkjourno on X. Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist and Producer). @adeliepjz on X. SIGN UP TO THE ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter [http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter]   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: Telegraph Ukraine Live Blog: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/11/26/ukraine-russia-war-latest-news-trump-peace-talks/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/11/26/ukraine-russia-war-latest-news-trump-peace-talks/]  Trump envoy coaches Kremlin negotiator in leaked call (Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2025/11/25/witkoff-coach-russians-peace-plan-trump/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2025/11/25/witkoff-coach-russians-peace-plan-trump/] Starmer demands British boots on ground under Ukraine peace deal (The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/11/25/russia-hints-it-may-reject-latest-peace-deal/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/11/25/russia-hints-it-may-reject-latest-peace-deal/]  I’ve seen high-level negotiations. Witkoff broke the one rule that matters (David Blair in The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/11/26/witkoff-ushakov-leaked-call/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/11/26/witkoff-ushakov-leaked-call/]  Bloomberg’s Leaked Transcripts: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-11-25/witkoff-advised-russia-on-how-to-pitch-ukraine-plan-to-trump [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-11-25/witkoff-advised-russia-on-how-to-pitch-ukraine-plan-to-trump?srnd=homepage-uk] 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.