Ukraine: The Latest

Ukraine wipes out seventh Wildberries warehouse and major oil refinery as US senate advances key Russia sanctions bill

Day 1,615. After Russia sees another night of Ukrainian drone strikes on a Wildberries warehouse and oil refinery attacks, Francis examines Kyiv’s campaign to disrupt Putin’s logistics and wartime economy. He also looks at encouraging developments in Washington, where Presidents Zelensky and Trump met ahead of the funeral of Senator Lindsey Graham, before Graham’s landmark bipartisan sanctions bill took a significant step forward in Congress. Then James Kilner has his regular Russia roundup, as rumours of a fresh mobilisation continue to circulate, before we explore the dramatic downfall of the powerful head of Russia’s international chess federation. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X. James Kilner (Russia Analyst). @Jkjourno on X. Malcolm Pein (Telegraph chess correspondent). @TelegraphChess on X. Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan Social Producer: Anita Blay 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: Russia explores support for Wildberries after Ukrainian drone attacks, sources say (Reuters) https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/russia-explores-support-wildberries-after-ukrainian-drone-attacks-sources-say-2026-07-28/ [https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/russia-explores-support-wildberries-after-ukrainian-drone-attacks-sources-say-2026-07-28/] Laura Loomer says she called Trump from Ukraine, plans to brief president on visit (Kyiv Independent) https://kyivindependent.com/laura-loomer-says-she-called-trump-from-ukraine-plans-to-brief-president-on-visit/ [https://kyivindependent.com/laura-loomer-says-she-called-trump-from-ukraine-plans-to-brief-president-on-visit/]  Kremlin Gambit: German FIDE presidential candidate Vadim Rosenstein continues to earn millions in Russia (Ukrainian Independent Information Agency of News, in Russian) https://sport.unian.net/othersports/kandidat-v-prezidenty-fide-vadim-rozenshteyn-prodolzhaet-vesti-biznes-v-rossii-13451784.html [https://sport.unian.net/othersports/kandidat-v-prezidenty-fide-vadim-rozenshteyn-prodolzhaet-vesti-biznes-v-rossii-13451784.html]  Russians Form Street Patrol to Shield Men From Forced Recruitment (Kyiv Post) https://www.kyivpost.com/post/81265 [https://www.kyivpost.com/post/81265]  World chess chief faces endgame after EU announces Russia war sanctions (BBC) https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cewrk58k2k4o [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cewrk58k2k4o]  No contact with political prisoner Andrei Trofimov since April (Memorial) https://memopzk.org/en/news/no-contact-with-political-prisoner-andrei-trofimov-since-april/ [https://memopzk.org/en/news/no-contact-with-political-prisoner-andrei-trofimov-since-april/] 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: * Ukraine wipes out seventh Wildberries warehouse and major oil refinery * US senate advances key Russia sanctions bill ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Crimea 'without power' after deadly raids as Zelensky meets Trump

Day 1,614. As Ukraine strikes a target more than 1,300 kilometres from Kyiv, Francis and Alex Nichol assess the significance of President Zelensky’s visit to Washington for Lindsey Graham’s funeral and to meet with President Trump. It comes a day after Ukraine struck a tanker from Iran in the Caspian Sea, something the US president was asked about on Air Force One. Meanwhile, attention is focused on Congress as lawmakers prepare to decide the fate of the bipartisan sanctions bill, which would impose sweeping tariffs on countries continuing to buy Russian energy. Later, we take a deep dive into the Black Sea grain corridor, exploring why it’s returned to the centre of the war after recent attacks on merchant shipping, and what it means for global food security. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X. Alex Nichol (Telegraph Journalist). With thanks to Andrey Sizov, head of SovEcon grain consultancy (@sizov_andre on X). Producer: Tom Steed Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan Social Producer: Anita Blay 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: Democrats ‘undermining US support for Ukraine’ (The Telegraph) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/27/democrat-opponents-sanctioning-russia-act-undermine-ukraine/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/27/democrat-opponents-sanctioning-russia-act-undermine-ukraine/]  Life of a Ukrainian draft dodger (Antonia Langford for The Telegraph) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/28/ukraine-hunt-for-draft-dodgers-becomes-battle-on-the-street/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/28/ukraine-hunt-for-draft-dodgers-becomes-battle-on-the-street/]  EU hesitates to target Irish plant accused of supplying Russia’s war industry (Financial Times) https://www.ft.com/content/ef7ff634-b738-4975-91b5-2edffc51da68?syn-25a6b1a6=1 [https://www.ft.com/content/ef7ff634-b738-4975-91b5-2edffc51da68?syn-25a6b1a6=1]  The Sizov Report http://sizov.report [http://sizov.report] Wagner’s Remnants Are Running an Opioid Empire in the Center of Africa (Wall Street Journal) https://www.wsj.com/world/africa/russia-wagner-africa-opioid-trade-d015c4bc [https://www.wsj.com/world/africa/russia-wagner-africa-opioid-trade-d015c4bc]  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: * Crimea 'without power' after deadly raids * Zelensky meets Trump in Washington ahead of Lindsey Graham funeral ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

‘Humiliated’ Putin poses with fake submarine after navy parade cancelled & Ukraine strikes Iranian tanker in Caspian Sea

Day 1,613. As Putin is forced to cancel his annual Navy Day parade in St. Petersburg for the second year in a row – forced to stand by an image of a submarine instead – we report on another major weekend on the battlefield for both Russia and Ukraine, including a strike by Kyiv on an Iranian-linked tanker in the Caspian Sea. Meanwhile Volodymyr Zelensky is in London to meet with new British PM Andy Burnham for the first time, as the Ukrainian president warns of a new mobilisation drive by Moscow amid mounting Russian losses. Then we hear from the WELT offices in Germany about their wargame that caused such a stir, NATO’s Secretary General had to respond. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X. James Rothwell (Berlin Correspondent). @JamesERothwell on X. With thanks to Caroline Drüten, international security correspondent at WELT. 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: ‘Ernstfall: What if Russia Attacks NATO? Inside a German Wargame’ (WELT Podcast): Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/ernstfall-what-if-russia-attacks-nato-inside-a/id6785429115 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033GHuBrh6zwl1mq4TVeY6 [https://open.spotify.com/show/033GHuBrh6zwl1mq4TVeY6]  https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/21/new-missile-at-centre-of-anglo-german-golden-age-of-defence/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/21/new-missile-at-centre-of-anglo-german-golden-age-of-defence/]  Fabrice Deprez’s Substack describing Kramatorsk: https://eastradar.substack.com/p/the-long-war-60?triedRedirect=true [https://eastradar.substack.com/p/the-long-war-60?triedRedirect=true]  Kazakhstan’s Tokayev Urges Putin to Freeze Ukraine War (Kyiv Post) https://www.kyivpost.com/post/81070 [https://www.kyivpost.com/post/81070]  Kremlin Shrugs Off Reports of US-Ukraine Air Truce Plan, Says It’s ‘Too Early’ (Kyiv Post) https://www.kyivpost.com/post/81124 [https://www.kyivpost.com/post/81124]  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: * ‘Humiliated’ Putin poses with fake submarine after navy parade cancelled * Ukraine strikes Iranian tanker in Caspian Sea ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Major fire in St. Petersburg as Ukraine’s new ‘number one’ target revealed & touring Mykolaiv with Kyiv’s new Veterans Minister

Day 1,610. Today, as Ukraine expands its long-range strike campaign with fresh attacks on Russian logistics hubs and warehouses – including targets in St Petersburg – we examine the growing economic cost to Moscow as Kyiv intensifies its effort to disrupt supply chains and undermine Russia’s war machine. We also explore why American political commentator and Donald Trump ally Laura Loomer has dramatically reversed her position on Ukraine after years of amplifying pro-Kremlin narratives, and what that shift could signal for Republican support for Kyiv. And later, Dom brings you an exclusive interview with Ukraine’s new Veterans Minister, recorded during a visit to Mykolaiv earlier this year. Contributors: Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X. Alex Nichol (Telegraph Journalist). Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X. With thanks to Vitali Kim, the new Veteran Affairs Minister of Ukraine, former frontline mayor of Mykolaiv. Producer: Rachel Porter Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett Video Producer: James England 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: Why Russia’s Amazon became Ukraine’s number one target (The Telegraph) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/24/why-russias-amazon-became-ukraines-number-one-target/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/24/why-russias-amazon-became-ukraines-number-one-target/]  Inside Ukraine’s Kill Zone (Reuters): https://www.reuters.com/graphics/UKRAINE-CRISIS/KILL-ZONE/znpnojmknvl/ [https://www.reuters.com/graphics/UKRAINE-CRISIS/KILL-ZONE/znpnojmknvl/] 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: * St Petersburg burns as new ‘number one target’ revealed  * Dom tours a frontline city with its mayor ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

'He hates us': Russians react to new ‘tank hero’ Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief

Day 1,609. Today, after Mykhailo Drapatyi is appointed Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, we examine the reaction from Russian soldiers and military commentators as Kyiv reshapes its wartime leadership. We also report on Ukraine’s continuing campaign of long-range strikes, with fresh attacks on a key Russian logistics hub and another strategically important oil refinery as Kyiv seeks to weaken Moscow’s war machine far behind the front lines. Then we assess how Russia’s war against Ukraine is reshaping global grain exports and food prices, before unpacking the European Union’s latest sanctions against Vladimir Putin’s regime, finally agreed after weeks of difficult negotiations. Contributors: Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X. Alex Nichol (Telegraph Journalist). 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: Yesterday’s Ukraine: The Latest, offering a deep dive into Kyiv’s new commander-in-chief: YouTube – https://youtu.be/xqBiyMPM4jo?si=p1rlhUOodgg781ck [https://youtu.be/xqBiyMPM4jo?si=p1rlhUOodgg781ck]  Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/ukraines-legendary-new-commander-takes-charge-after/id1612424182?i=1000777916224 [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/ukraines-legendary-new-commander-takes-charge-after/id1612424182?i=1000777916224] Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/episode/3CktsLADyTxmHVesqf6RxW?si=abe2835da3fc4782 [https://open.spotify.com/episode/3CktsLADyTxmHVesqf6RxW?si=abe2835da3fc4782]  Kremlin propagandist Xenia Fedorova escapes EU sanctions targeting Russian figures (Le Monde): https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2026/07/22/kremlin-propagandist-xenia-fedorova-escapes-eu-sanctions-targeting-russian-figures_6755722_4.html?srsltid=AfmBOopfQv9I8HMURwgR6Hkc7GNY7nqJuYDoS-YXXq1t3JMx29P71kMx [https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2026/07/22/kremlin-propagandist-xenia-fedorova-escapes-eu-sanctions-targeting-russian-figures_6755722_4.html?srsltid=AfmBOopfQv9I8HMURwgR6Hkc7GNY7nqJuYDoS-YXXq1t3JMx29P71kMx] From the Shannon to Siberia: How alumina from a Limerick refinery enters Russia’s weapons supply chain (The Irish Times) https://www.irishtimes.com/world/europe/2026/03/24/from-the-shannon-to-siberia-how-alumina-from-a-limerick-refinery-enters-russias-weapons-supply-chain/ [https://www.irishtimes.com/world/europe/2026/03/24/from-the-shannon-to-siberia-how-alumina-from-a-limerick-refinery-enters-russias-weapons-supply-chain/] For more on Caolan Robertson’s investigation into the Auginish aluminium plant, Ukraine: The Latest June 16th episode:  YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mimSeae4Nw&t=1492s [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mimSeae4Nw&t=1492s] Apple podcast – https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/trump-tells-putin-to-make-a-deal-at-g7-revenge/id1612424182?i=1000772992491 [https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/trump-tells-putin-to-make-a-deal-at-g7-revenge/id1612424182?i=1000772992491] Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/episode/2XXCl4A8oZ871GwjvdXowY [https://open.spotify.com/episode/2XXCl4A8oZ871GwjvdXowY] 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: *  The European Union’s 21st sanction package * Interview with Kharkiv mayor Ihor Terekhov ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.