Ukraine: The Latest

Ukraine ‘on the offensive’ after Russian starlink shutdown & fresh peace talks to start in Geneva ‘next week’

Day 1,450. Today, as world leaders arrive in Germany for the Munich Security Conference, we report on expectations ahead of this weekend’s gathering and what it could mean for Ukraine and European security. We assess reaction to announcements made at the latest meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (Rammstein), and examine Russia’s move to supply Cuba with oil amid growing geopolitical tensions. Plus, we bring you our regular update on resistance activities in the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine, and speak to the writer of a new London stage play exploring the war in the Donbas region. Contributors Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Lily Shanagher (Foreign Reporter). @LilyShanagher on X. Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. AdéliePojzman-Pontay (Journalist and Producer). @adeliepjzon X. With thanks to Illia Riepin and Olga Braga (Ukrainian playwright and director). @EveryTheatre [https://x.com/EveryTheatre] 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: Learn more about the Donbas play: https://theatre503.com/whats-on/donbas/ [https://theatre503.com/whats-on/donbas/]  Zelensky Makes His Pitch to Trump (The Atlantic): https://www.theatlantic.com/national-security/2026/02/zelensky-trump-peace-deal-ukraine-russia/685972/ [https://www.theatlantic.com/national-security/2026/02/zelensky-trump-peace-deal-ukraine-russia/685972/]  LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST 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. Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatest [https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatest] 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 strikes 2,000km deep into Russia in 'longest range strike of the war' & Zelensky accuses Olympics of playing into Putin’s hands after Ukrainian athlete disqualified

Day 1,449. Today, as Ukraine’s security services claim responsibility for the longest-range strike yet on Russian oil and gas infrastructure since the start of the full-scale invasion, we examine reports of a surge in Russian army casualties and what that could mean for Vladimir Putin’s war effort. Then we bring you the latest from the NATO summit in Brussels, where allies are discussing military support for Ukraine and European security, before returning to the escalating controversy at the Winter Olympics, where Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych has been disqualified over his “Helmet of Memory” tribute to Ukrainian athletes killed in the war. Contributors Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Jeremy Wilson (Chief Sports Reporter). @JWTelegraph 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: Zelensky accuses Olympics of ‘playing into Russia’s hands’ after Ukraine athlete disqualified (Jeremy in The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/winter-olympics/2026/02/12/winter-olympics-2026-ukrainian-skeleton-helmet-ioc/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/winter-olympics/2026/02/12/winter-olympics-2026-ukrainian-skeleton-helmet-ioc/]  Halyna Klepikovska: participation in the International Cultural Programme of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympics: https://www.halynaklepikovska.com/post/movement-as-a-form-of-thinking [https://www.halynaklepikovska.com/post/movement-as-a-form-of-thinking] Russian army casualties in Ukraine surge (Financial Times): https://www.ft.com/content/ce74d2d8-5562-4e6d-9e5f-041b017b5d39 [https://www.ft.com/content/ce74d2d8-5562-4e6d-9e5f-041b017b5d39] SBU sends text warning Russians are trying to recruit Ukrainians to register Starlink terminals (Kyiv Independent): https://kyivindependent.com/sbu-sends-messages-to-holders-of-ukrainian-phone-numbers-warning-russians-trying-to-recruit-ukrainians-to-register-block-starlink-terminals [https://kyivindependent.com/sbu-sends-messages-to-holders-of-ukrainian-phone-numbers-warning-russians-trying-to-recruit-ukrainians-to-register-block-starlink-terminals/?mc_cid=b99e94be85&mc_eid=08d0680a95] LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST 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. Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatest [https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatest] 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.

Zelensky ‘planning election and peace deal referendum’ & Winter Olympics threatens to disqualify Ukrainian athlete over 'remembrance helmet'

Day 1,448. Today, we assess where things stand after mixed messaging has left Kyiv, Moscow and Western capitals confused over whether President Zelensky will use the fourth anniversary of Russia’s  invasion to announce presidential elections or a referendum on a possible peace deal. We report on Russia’s fury over the reported Starlink switch-off, a communications crisis compounded by the Kremlin’s tightening restrictions on Telegram, and continue to follow the Olympic controversy surrounding Ukraine’s so-called “Helmet of Memory”. Later, we hear the latest analysis from our Russia-watcher. Contributors Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist and Producer). @adeliepjz on X. James Kilner (Foreign Analyst). @jkjourno 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: Zelensky plans presidential elections and peace deal referendum (The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/11/zelensky-presidential-elections-peace-deal-referendum/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/11/zelensky-presidential-elections-peace-deal-referendum/]  Ukrainian athletes defy IOC and double down in helmet protest against Russia (The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/winter-olympics/2026/02/09/ukrainian-athlete-vladyslav-heraskevych-anti-russian-helmet/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/winter-olympics/2026/02/09/ukrainian-athlete-vladyslav-heraskevych-anti-russian-helmet/] Behind the Guns: Western Tools, Russian Firepower (Front Intelligence): https://frontelligence.substack.com/p/behind-the-guns-western-tools-russian [https://frontelligence.substack.com/p/behind-the-guns-western-tools-russian] Chris O Starlink thread on X: https://x.com/ChrisO_wiki/status/2021280155713294590?s=20 [https://x.com/ChrisO_wiki/status/2021280155713294590?s=20] Zelensky won't announce elections on war anniversary amid talks of US-driven timeline, source says (Kyiv Independent): https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-wont-announce-elections-on-invasion-anniversary/ [https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-wont-announce-elections-on-invasion-anniversary/] Zelenskyy planning elections in Ukraine and vote on peace deal (Financial Times): https://www.ft.com/content/50d3d86b-2d2a-4d06-845e-a4e089382cad [https://www.ft.com/content/50d3d86b-2d2a-4d06-845e-a4e089382cad] Elections in Ukraine — a guide for beginners (and US Presidents) (Kyiv Independent): https://kyivindependent.com/a-beginners-guide-to-elections-in-ukraine-also-suitable-for-us-presidents/ [https://kyivindependent.com/a-beginners-guide-to-elections-in-ukraine-also-suitable-for-us-presidents/] The Belarusian woman at the center of Epstein’s final days (Kyiv Independent): https://kyivindependent.com/the-belarusian-woman-at-the-center-of-epsteins-final-days/?mc_cid=a5562b6d52&mc_eid=4a5b852913 [https://kyivindependent.com/the-belarusian-woman-at-the-center-of-epsteins-final-days/?mc_cid=a5562b6d52&mc_eid=4a5b852913] LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST 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. Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatest [https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatest] 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.

Rumours of 'Ukrainian counteroffensive' in the south & Japan aligns with NATO to support Ukraine in surprise move

Day 1,447. Today, amid growing rumours that Ukraine may be preparing a new counteroffensive, we discuss how the Kremlin is attempting to play down expectations and undermine confidence in the ongoing peace talks. We then report on Japan’s move to join the PURL initiative, examine a diplomatic row that has erupted at the Winter Olympics, and sit down with Romania’s Foreign Minister, Oana Țoiu, to hear how the war in Ukraine is being viewed from Bucharest, on NATO and the EU’s eastern flank. Contributors Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. With thanks to Oana Țoiu, Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs. @oana_toiu 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: Zelensky backs athlete banned from wearing helmet bearing faces of war victims (The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/winter-olympics/2026/02/09/ukrainian-athlete-vladyslav-heraskevych-anti-russian-helmet/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/winter-olympics/2026/02/09/ukrainian-athlete-vladyslav-heraskevych-anti-russian-helmet/]  Russia bombs Ukrainian pet shelter (The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/06/russia-bombs-ukrainian-pet-shelter/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/06/russia-bombs-ukrainian-pet-shelter/]  How to keep an elephant and a gorilla warm during Kyiv's coldest winter of the full-scale war (Kyiv Independent): https://kyivindependent.com/animals-some-first-how-kyiv-zoo-protects-life-through-the-darkest-winter-of-war/?mc_cid=9ff030f3ca&mc_eid=08d0680a95 [https://kyivindependent.com/animals-some-first-how-kyiv-zoo-protects-life-through-the-darkest-winter-of-war/?mc_cid=9ff030f3ca&mc_eid=08d0680a95]  Kenya to confront Russia over 'unacceptable' use of its nationals in combat (BBC): https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0k1jzvrykro?xtor=AL-71- [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0k1jzvrykro?xtor=AL-71-] LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST 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. Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatest [https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatest] 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.

Revealed: Trump and Putin’s $12 trillion partnership plan & wargaming a Russian attack on NATO with Lt Gen Ben Hodges, former commander of US Army Europe

Day 1,446. Today, in a rare public outburst against the Trump administration, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accuses the United States of “backtracking” on the so-called Anchorage Agreement, under which Washington allegedly agreed to pressure Ukraine into ceding parts of the Donbas that Russian forces have failed to capture after nearly four years of war. We examine President Zelensky’s comments suggesting that a new White House peace deadline may be linked to Donald Trump’s US midterm election campaign, and report on how Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is seeking to leverage the war in Ukraine to shore up domestic political support. And later, we speak to the former commander of US forces in Europe, retired Lieutenant General Ben Hodges, about the state of the war and how prepared Europe and NATO are for a potential Russian move on the Suwałki Gap. Contributors Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. With thanks to Lieutenant General (Retired) Ben Hodges (former commander of US forces in Europe). @general_ben 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: A small Russian force could break Nato, it’s being said. As a US general, here’s my take (Ben Hodges in The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/02/05/russian-wargame-nato-defeat-suwalki-gap-general-ben/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/02/05/russian-wargame-nato-defeat-suwalki-gap-general-ben/]  Russia offered US £9tn co-operation deal, Zelensky says (The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/07/us-gives-june-deadline-peace-ukraine-russia/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/07/us-gives-june-deadline-peace-ukraine-russia/]  Would the US military obey Trump on Greenland? US General Ben Hodges answers (Battle Lines episode): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mcz_bDmXjE [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mcz_bDmXjE]  The German wargame (Die Welt): https://www.welt.de/politik/ausland/article6984a7189d88d6e920be111f/ernstfall-podcast-wargame-exposes-gaps-in-germanys-response-to-a-hypothetical-russian-attack-on-lithuania.html [https://www.welt.de/politik/ausland/article6984a7189d88d6e920be111f/ernstfall-podcast-wargame-exposes-gaps-in-germanys-response-to-a-hypothetical-russian-attack-on-lithuania.html]  Russia accuses US of backing out of alleged Ukraine territory surrender agreement (The Telegraph): https://kyivindependent.com/russia-accuses-us-of-backing-out-of-alleged-ukraine-surrender-agreement/ [https://kyivindependent.com/russia-accuses-us-of-backing-out-of-alleged-ukraine-surrender-agreement/]  Washington Post GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-washington-post-international-employees [https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-washington-post-international-employees]  LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST 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. Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatest [https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatest] 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.