Putin confesses 'problems' in Ukraine war for first time & fuel hoarding sweeps Russia

Putin confesses 'problems' in Ukraine war for first time & fuel hoarding sweeps Russia

Day 1,585. After a weekend that saw Ukraine’s Constitution Day celebrated with yet more lengthy queues at petrol stations in Russia and Crimea – a situation not helped by Russian oil refineries continuing to self-sanction – Putin shrugs that these ‘difficult’ days are just a speed bump on the road to inevitable victory. Dom and Francis ponder on Alexander Lukashenko’s slightly odd weekend jaunt to China via Putin’s lakeside retreat in Valdai – at least we now know what all the extra air defence was shipped in for – and ask, is he looking for a new best friend? And finally, after news of a mass shooting in the northern German city of Stade, they speak to Berlin correspondent James Rothwell who has been reporting on NATO preparations for a possible future Battle of the Baltics. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X. James Rothwell (Berlin Correspondent). @JamesERothwell on X. Producer: Rachel Porter Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan Social Producer: Gabby Colvin Studio Director: Meghan Searle Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley Created by David Knowles 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://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest [https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest]   CONTENT REFERENCED: Putin: Russia is facing problems in Ukraine war (The Telegraph) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/28/putin-russia-is-facing-problems-in-ukraine-war/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/28/putin-russia-is-facing-problems-in-ukraine-war/]  Nato prepares for the Battle of the Baltics (James Rothwell for The Telegraph) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/23/nato-prepares-battle-baltics/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/23/nato-prepares-battle-baltics/]  We’re ready to fight Russia tonight, vows head of German air force (James Rothwell for The Telegraph) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/15/luftwaffe-chief-warns-russia-german-ready-to-fight-for-nato/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/15/luftwaffe-chief-warns-russia-german-ready-to-fight-for-nato/]  How German trains became the shame of a nation (James Rothwell for The Telegraph) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/28/how-german-trains-became-the-shame-of-a-nation/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/28/how-german-trains-became-the-shame-of-a-nation/]  Germany considers return of military conscription (The Telegraph) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/27/germany-considers-compulsory-conscription-defence-russia/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/27/germany-considers-compulsory-conscription-defence-russia/]  Turkey Offers to Host Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks (Kyiv Post) https://www.kyivpost.com/post/79139 [https://www.kyivpost.com/post/79139]  Putin Says Expecting US Negotiators Once US Less Busy With Iran (Kyiv Post) https://www.kyivpost.com/post/79177 [https://www.kyivpost.com/post/79177]  Serbian President Vučić says he will resign within ‘weeks’ (Politico) https://www.politico.eu/article/serbian-president-vucic-says-he-will-resign-within-weeks/ [https://www.politico.eu/article/serbian-president-vucic-says-he-will-resign-within-weeks/]  Stray Ukraine drones worth the price of hitting Russia, says Estonian minister (Financial Times) https://www.ft.com/content/f487526b-9646-456b-bccb-001f31090919?syn-25a6b1a6=1 [https://www.ft.com/content/f487526b-9646-456b-bccb-001f31090919?syn-25a6b1a6=1]  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 as possible. HIGHLIGHTS: * Putin confesses 'problems' in Ukraine war for first time * Reports of fuel hoarding across Russia after long-range Ukrainian strikes ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Crimea declares state of emergency as Kyiv launches 40-day Russia blitz

Day 1,582. Crimea declares a state of emergency after days of intense Ukrainian attacks, as footage shows thousands of cars queuing to leave the Russian-occupied peninsula. It comes as president Zelensky authorises a 40-day operation against Russia ‌“to press for an end to the war”, days before the Nato summit in Ankara. Alex Nichol reports on a major scandal as the commander of one of Ukraine’s largest assault units has been suspended amid allegations of abuse against recruits. Meanwhile, Roland Oliphant has the updates on Ukraine’s row with Poland; the EU’s plan to end refugee protections for some Ukrainians; and Moscow and Washington’s very different recollections of the Trump-Putin meeting in Anchorage. Contributors: Roland Oliphant (Telegraph’s Chief Foreign Analyst). @rolandoliphant on X. Alex Nichol (Telegraph journalist).  Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X. With thanks to Katarína Mathernová, EU Ambassador to Ukraine. Producer: Rachel Porter Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan Social Producer: Tom Steed Studio Director: Meghan Searle Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley Created by David Knowles 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://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest [https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest]   CONTENT REFERENCED: The “Skelya” assault regiment commented on the Babel investigation into torture and murders in the unit (Babel) https://babel.ua/en/news/127978-the-skelya-assault-regiment-commented-on-the-babel-investigation-into-torture-and-murders-in-the-unit [https://babel.ua/en/news/127978-the-skelya-assault-regiment-commented-on-the-babel-investigation-into-torture-and-murders-in-the-unit]  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 as possible. HIGHLIGHTS: * Occupied Crimea declares state of emergency as thousands flee the peninsula  * Zelensky announces 40-day operation “to press for an end to the war” ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Putin sacrifices Crimea air defences to shield Moscow & Zelensky says 'Russia will be forced to choose peace'

Day 1,581. As the clock ticks down on President Zelensky’s ultimatum to Belarus, Dom examines reports that the drone relay stations Kyiv accused Minsk of hosting have suddenly stopped working – and asks whether Lukashenko may be edging away from Putin. He also has the latest on Ukraine’s long-range strikes deep inside Russia, as France seizes another shadow fleet tanker and Kyiv presses its campaign to raise the cost of war for the Kremlin. Francis unpacks NATO secretary general Mark Rutte’s visit to Donald Trump in the Oval Office. Later, we take you to Gdańsk for the Ukraine Recovery Conference, where the first tranche of the EU’s €90 billion support package is formally handed over to Kyiv. Contributors:  Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X. With thanks to Orysia Lutsevych, head of the Ukraine Forum at Chatham House. Producer: Phil Atkins Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan Social Producer: Tom Steed Studio Director: Meghan Searle Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley Created by David Knowles 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://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest [https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest]   CONTENT REFERENCED: Orysia Lutsevych’s Chatham House paper, ‘Why a ‘whole-of-society’ model is essential for Ukraine’s recovery’: https://www.chathamhouse.org/2026/06/why-whole-society-model-essential-ukraines-recovery [https://www.chathamhouse.org/2026/06/why-whole-society-model-essential-ukraines-recovery]  «Дураки за деньги закончились»: как российские власти пытаются решить проблему нехватки контрактников (Vertska, in Russian) https://verstka.media/kak-rossiiskie-vlasti-pytayutsya-reshit-problemu-nehvatki-kontraktnikov [https://verstka.media/kak-rossiiskie-vlasti-pytayutsya-reshit-problemu-nehvatki-kontraktnikov] 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 as possible. HIGHLIGHTS: * Putin sacrifices Crimea air defences to shield Moscow * Zelensky says 'Russia will be forced to choose peace' ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Putin breaks silence over Moscow strikes humiliation & fuel shortages grip Russia

Day 1,580. Today, after days of memes and mounting panic across Russia, Vladimir Putin finally breaks his silence on last week’s dramatic strikes on Moscow – insisting they are not a sign of vulnerability, but proof of Russian strength on the battlefield. Dom reports on the remarkable own goal from Russia’s defence ministry, which appears to have done Zelensky’s press office a favour by detailing just how many targets Ukrainian forces have hit in the last 24 hours. We also examine growing frustration in Moscow as the Kremlin accuses the United States of failing to honour the Trump–Putin “understandings” that were supposed to shape the next phase of diplomacy. And later, we get an update from one of the leading campaigners pushing to unlock billions of dollars in frozen Russian assets for Ukraine’s defence and reconstruction.  Contributors:  Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X. James Kilner (Russia Analyst). @Jkjourno on X. Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X. With thanks to Hugo Dixon of 'The Russian Transfer'. Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan Social Producer: Tom Steed Studio Director: Chris January Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley Created by David Knowles 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://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest [https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest]   CONTENT REFERENCED: Reported Gasoline Shortages in Russian Federal Subjects and Occupied Ukrainian Territories as of June 23, 2026 (Institute for the Study of War): https://understandingwar.org/map/reported-gasoline-shortages-in-russian-federal-subjects-and-occupied-ukrainian-territories-as-of-june-23-2026/ [https://understandingwar.org/map/reported-gasoline-shortages-in-russian-federal-subjects-and-occupied-ukrainian-territories-as-of-june-23-2026/]  Hugo Dixon’s initiative ‘The Russian Transfer’: moving Moscow’s account from Belgium: https://www.therussiantransfer.com/ [https://www.therussiantransfer.com/] 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 as possible. HIGHLIGHTS: *  Putin breaks silence over Moscow strikes humiliation *  Fuel shortages grip Russia ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Revealed: Trump backed Ukraine’s ruthless new campaign & exclusive interview with EU's first defence commissioner

Day 1,579. Today, as reports emerge that Donald Trump urged President Zelensky to act “more boldly” towards Russia, the clock is ticking on Ukraine’s threat to target drone relay stations in Belarus that Kyiv says are helping facilitate attacks on Ukrainian territory. We examine the Kremlin’s extraordinary demand that Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko travel to Moscow for advice on protecting his country’s sovereignty – a suggestion that reveals much about the true nature of Russia’s relationship with its closest ally. We also bring you the latest Ukrainian strikes aimed at isolating Crimea, exposing the vulnerability of Russian supply routes as drones hunt convoys and pontoon crossings with increasing impunity. And later, in an exclusive interview, we speak to the European Union’s first Defence Commissioner about Europe’s plans to counter an increasingly aggressive Russia, strengthen continental security, and support Ukraine for the long haul. Contributor:  Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X. Producer: Phil Atkins Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan Social Producer: Tom Steed Studio Director: Chris January Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley Created by David Knowles 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://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest [https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest]   CONTENT REFERENCED: The European talks to create a Nato plan B (Joe Barnes for The Telegraph) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/22/europe-rearms-european-talks-to-create-nato-replacement/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/22/europe-rearms-european-talks-to-create-nato-replacement/]  Poland tells Britain: Pay up for defence or risk global irrelevance (Adrian Blomfield for The Telegraph) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/23/poland-tells-britain-pay-defence-risk-global-irrelevance/ Chalke Festival (this Friday): https://www.chalkefestival.com/ [https://www.chalkefestival.com/]    Ukrainian Institute London’s Summer Garden Party (this Saturday): https://uil.org.uk/events/uil-summer-garden-party/ [https://uil.org.uk/events/uil-summer-garden-party/] 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 as possible. HIGHLIGHTS: *  ‘Act Boldly’: Trump backs Ukraine’s ruthless new campaign *  Exclusive interview with EU's first defence commissioner ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.