Ukraine: The Latest

BONUS: ‘Russia fears one thing above all’, with Christopher Miller, Dr Jack Watling & Orysia Lutsevych OBE

Today, in a special bonus episode, we bring you a panel Francis Dearnley recently moderated at the Frontline Club in London – a renowned meeting place for anyone passionate about foreign affairs, hosting regular events with guests from think tanks, journalism, the humanitarian sector, and many more. The discussion features leading experts on various dimensions of the war: Christopher Miller (Chief Ukraine Correspondent, Financial Times), Dr Jack Watling (Senior Research Fellow for Land Warfare, RUSI), and Orysia Lutsevych OBE (Head of the Ukraine Forum, Chatham House). Though recorded a few weeks ago, the conversation feels not just relevant, but prescient, in light of recent developments.  Topics include: what security guarantees Ukraine wants versus what it actually needs; the manpower challenges facing both Russia and Ukraine; the levers available to pressure Moscow; how a ceasefire can be either a remedy or a poison depending on its terms; the declining US role and Europe’s response; hybrid threats across the Continent...and the terrifying cost of delay. Speakers: Christopher Miller (Chief Ukraine Correspondent, The Financial Times) Dr Jack Watling (Senior Research Fellow for Land Warfare, Royal United Services Institute) Orysia Lutsevych OBE (Head of the Ukraine Forum at Chatham House) Learn more about The Frontline Club: https://www.frontlineclub.com/ [https://www.frontlineclub.com/]  ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

NATO chief: Prepare for war with Russia

Day 1,387. Today, as Russia attempts to convince the world – or at least Donald Trump – that they are inexorably taking territory, President Zelensky has visited the north-east city of Kupiansk, which has been recently liberated in a rapid recapture of ground. The head of NATO warns that the West faces the prospect of war with Russia on a scale not seen since the days of “our grandparents and great-grandparents” and we examine the latest diplomatic manoeuvres ahead of tomorrow’s meeting in Paris, where the question of territorial concessions will be front and centre. And later, Francis catches up with Ada Wordsworth of KHARPP to hear how your donations to her charity in Kharkiv, made in David Knowles’s memory, are helping vulnerable people this Christmas. Contributors Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Venetia Rainey (Co-host Battle Lines [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/battle-lines/] podcast). @venetiarainey on X. Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. With thanks to Ada Wordsworth (co-founder of the KHARPP charity) 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: KHARPP Charity Website: https://kharpp.com/ [https://kharpp.com/] KHARPP Fundraiser for David Knowles: https://donorbox.org/kharpp-fundraiser-in-memory-of-david-knowles [https://donorbox.org/kharpp-fundraiser-in-memory-of-david-knowles]  Nato chief: Prepare for war with Russia https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/12/11/nato-chief-prepare-for-war-with-russia/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/12/11/nato-chief-prepare-for-war-with-russia/]  Disrupting Russian Air Defence Production: Reclaiming the Sky https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/research-papers/disrupting-russian-air-defence-production-reclaiming-sky [https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/research-papers/disrupting-russian-air-defence-production-reclaiming-sky] The decorated marine tipped to be Labour’s next leader https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/12/12/al-carns-labour-next-leader-marine-armed-forces-minister/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/12/12/al-carns-labour-next-leader-marine-armed-forces-minister/]  Listen to Dom interview Al Carns on Battle Lines: https://linktr.ee/BattleLines [https://linktr.ee/BattleLines] Head of US army cut out of Ukraine talks by paranoid Hegseth https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2025/12/12/pentagon-golden-boy-hegseth-dan-driscoll/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2025/12/12/pentagon-golden-boy-hegseth-dan-driscoll/] 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 launches massive drone blitz on Moscow & cripples shadow fleet tanker in Black Sea

Day 1,386. Today, as Ukraine fires hundreds of drones into Russia – forcing the closure of all major Moscow airports – we report on how the maritime war is intensifying, with Kyiv striking shadow fleet tankers in the Black Sea and oil rigs in the Caspian Sea. Meanwhile, diplomatic tensions are rising, with President Donald Trump saying he exchanged “pretty strong words” with his European counterparts, just as reports emerge of a White House plan to bring Russia’s economy in from the cold. Then we return to controversial developments in the chess world with The Telegraph’s chess correspondent Malcolm Pein. Contributors Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. With thanks to Malcolm Pein (Chess Correspondent). @TelegraphChess 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: Dom and Francis’s Chess Game with Malcolm in Odesa: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCptvJ2tuIA [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCptvJ2tuIA]  With clips in our Ukraine Culture War Documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28HqbQLYGMM&pp=ygUPb2Rlc2EgdGVsZWdyYXBo [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28HqbQLYGMM&pp=ygUPb2Rlc2EgdGVsZWdyYXBo]  Starmer, Macron and Merz warn Trump over ‘Euro-Atlantic’ alliance (The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/12/10/starmer-macron-and-merz-warn-trump-euro-atlantic-alliance/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/12/10/starmer-macron-and-merz-warn-trump-euro-atlantic-alliance/]  Ukrainian drone boats blow up Russian oil tankers (The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/11/29/ukrainian-drone-boats-blow-up-russian-oil-tankers/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/11/29/ukrainian-drone-boats-blow-up-russian-oil-tankers/]  U.S. Blueprint to Rewire Economies of Russia, Ukraine Sets Off Clash With Europe (Wall Street Journal): https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/u-s-blueprint-to-rewire-economies-of-russia-ukraine-sets-off-clash-with-europe-72484515 [https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/u-s-blueprint-to-rewire-economies-of-russia-ukraine-sets-off-clash-with-europe-72484515]  US House passes bill to bolster Europe’s defence, in apparent rebuke to Trump’s foreign policy strategy (The Guardian): https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/11/us-house-passes-bill-to-bolster-europes-defence-in-apparent-rebuke-to-trumps-foreign-policy-strategy [https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/11/us-house-passes-bill-to-bolster-europes-defence-in-apparent-rebuke-to-trumps-foreign-policy-strategy]  ‘Make Europe Great Again’ and more from a longer version of the National Security Strategy (The Telegraph): https://www.defenseone.com/policy/2025/12/make-europe-great-again-and-more-longer-version-national-security-strategy/410038/?oref=d1-homepage-top-story [https://www.defenseone.com/policy/2025/12/make-europe-great-again-and-more-longer-version-national-security-strategy/410038/?oref=d1-homepage-top-story]  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.

Trump: Zelensky has until Christmas to accept peace deal & the new deadly shadow war of assassinations and hybrid attacks

Day 1,385. Today, as Commander Syrskyi claims Ukraine has regained several kilometres of the frontline around Pokrovsk, we examine the format of the European counter-proposal to the US-Russia peace plan, as President Trump sets a new deadline of Christmas for President Zelensky to agree. We also take deep dives into Belgium’s stance on frozen Russian state assets and the state of hybrid warfare across Europe, before hearing from the UK Minister of the Armed Forces on the evolving European position and the growing dangers ahead. Contributors Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dom Nicholls (Associate Editor for Defence). @DomNicholls on X. With thanks to Al Carns MP 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: Zelensky has until Christmas to accept peace deal (The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/12/09/trump-zelensky-must-accept-peace-deal-ukraine-losing/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/12/09/trump-zelensky-must-accept-peace-deal-ukraine-losing/]  Mapped: Russia and Ukraine’s deadly shadow war of assassinations (The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/12/05/mapped-russia-ukraine-deadly-shadow-war-assassination/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/12/05/mapped-russia-ukraine-deadly-shadow-war-assassination/]  Russia’s hybrid warfare puts Europe to the test (Financial Times): https://www.ft.com/content/2084e87d-d491-4852-8449-f90b73d4788b [https://www.ft.com/content/2084e87d-d491-4852-8449-f90b73d4788b]  Zelensky 'ready' to hold elections during war, if partners ensure security (Kyiv Independent): https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-ready-to-hold-elections-during-war-if-partners-ensure-security/ [https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-ready-to-hold-elections-during-war-if-partners-ensure-security/] Leaked documents expose global Russian soft-power influence network (New Voice of Ukraine): https://english.nv.ua/russian-war/how-russia-built-a-worldwide-spy-ecosystem-using-youth-diplomacy-and-soft-power-50564951.html [https://english.nv.ua/russian-war/how-russia-built-a-worldwide-spy-ecosystem-using-youth-diplomacy-and-soft-power-50564951.html]  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.

Trump’s Ukraine peace deal 'on brink of collapse' as US President tears into 'stupid, weak' European leaders

Day 1,384. Today, as President Zelensky appears to reject Donald Trump’s proposal for Ukraine to cede territory to Moscow, we examine the new European plan set to be presented to the US later. We also report on how Ukrainian troops are still holding out in the frontline city of Pokrovsk, before turning to developments inside Russia: Putin’s new law requiring 100,000 military reservists to undergo two months of training, growing protests over tax rises, and the outcomes of his visit to India, where he signed a series of deals with Prime Minister Modi. Contributors Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dom Nicholls (Associate Editor for Defence). @DomNicholls on X. James Kilner (Foreign Correspondent). @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: Trump’s Ukraine peace deal on brink of collapse (The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/12/08/ukraine-russia-war-latest-starmer-zelensky-trump-putin/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/12/08/ukraine-russia-war-latest-starmer-zelensky-trump-putin/]  Zelensky meets Pope ahead of peace talks with Meloni (The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/12/09/zelensky-appeals-for-european-support-for-new-peace-deal/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/12/09/zelensky-appeals-for-european-support-for-new-peace-deal/]  Ukrainians raise flag to show BBC the fight goes on in city claimed by Russia (BBC): https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd6x3vv7y60o [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd6x3vv7y60o]  Trump thrashes European leaders in wide-ranging interview: ‘I think they’re weak’ (POLITICO): https://www.politico.com/news/2025/12/09/trump-dasha-burns-interview-europe-immigration-ukraine-00682016?utm_content=topic/politics&utm_source=flipboard [https://www.politico.com/news/2025/12/09/trump-dasha-burns-interview-europe-immigration-ukraine-00682016?utm_content=topic/politics&utm_source=flipboard]  Zelensky reveals candidates for Yermak's replacement as Presidential Office head (Kyiv Independent): https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-reveals-candidates-for-new-head-of-ukraines-presidents-office/ [https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-reveals-candidates-for-new-head-of-ukraines-presidents-office/]  Trumpian Corruption Is Worse Than Ukrainian Corruption (Anne Applebaum in The Atlantic): https://www.theatlantic.com/international/2025/12/ukraine-fighting-corruption-trump/685162/ [https://www.theatlantic.com/international/2025/12/ukraine-fighting-corruption-trump/685162/]  Exclusive: US extracted top spy from inside Russia in 2017 (The Telegraph): https://edition.cnn.com/2019/09/09/politics/russia-us-spy-extracted [https://edition.cnn.com/2019/09/09/politics/russia-us-spy-extracted]  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.