North Korea 'sending 50,000 troops' as its missiles fall on Ukraine & Wildberries campaign re-ignites as 156,000m2 warehouse ablaze

North Korea 'sending 50,000 troops' as its missiles fall on Ukraine & Wildberries campaign re-ignites as 156,000m2 warehouse ablaze

Day 1,628. Today, as President Zelensky warns that as many as 50,000 North Korean troops could be preparing to deploy to Russia, we examine what a renewed role for Pyongyang could mean for the war in Ukraine. We also report on Ukraine’s latest strikes against Wildberries, after one of the Russian e-commerce giant’s largest warehouses was set ablaze overnight, as Kyiv continues targeting the logistics infrastructure sustaining Moscow’s war machine. Then we turn to politics inside Russia, where a top Moscow court has barred an opposition anti-war party from standing in September’s elections, offering another glimpse of the Kremlin’s tightening grip on political life. And later, we hear firsthand what life is like in some of Ukraine’s key frontline cities as the war enters a new and potentially dangerous phase, from a journalist who has just returned from the battlefield. Contributors:  Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X. Sophie O'Sullivan (Telegraph Journalist).  With thanks to journalist and author Felicity Spector. @felicityspector on Instagram. 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: Felicity’s Book ‘Bread and War’: https://amzn.eu/d/07Go8UBm [https://amzn.eu/d/07Go8UBm]  Learn more about ‘Bake for Ukraine’: https://bakeforukraine.org/ [https://bakeforukraine.org/]  Putin’s war machine scours the home front for recruits (Financial Times): https://www.ft.com/content/45289802-848f-4fa6-9769-6971b4b69bcc?syn-25a6b1a6=1 [https://www.ft.com/content/45289802-848f-4fa6-9769-6971b4b69bcc?syn-25a6b1a6=1]  Janis Kluge’s Substack: https://janiskluge.substack.com/p/russian-recruitment-stabilizes-at [https://janiskluge.substack.com/p/russian-recruitment-stabilizes-at]  If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk [events@telegraph.co.uk] 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: *  North Korea 'sending 50,000 troops' as its missiles fall on Ukraine *  Wildberries campaign re-ignites as 156,000m2 warehouse ablaze ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Revealed: Why Trump u-turned on Patriot missiles for Ukraine & Kyiv fires 600+ drones in a single night

Day 1,627. Today, after a weekend that may have seen a record number of drones launched across Ukraine and Russia, we examine what it is actually like to endure a ballistic missile attack – and how different that experience is from a drone barrage. Then, as Kyiv and other cities come under constant bombardment from weapons Ukrainian air defences cannot reliably intercept, we assess the arguments made by some that Ukraine’s increasingly ambitious strikes inside Russia could give Vladimir Putin the pretext he needs to mobilise hundreds of thousands more men. We also answer your questions about what Kyiv can realistically do to solve its missile crisis, revealing why President Donald Trump appears to have reversed course over giving Ukraine the blueprints needed to manufacture Patriot missiles. Contributors:  Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X. Antonia Langford (Freelance Journalist in Kyiv). @Antonialford on X. With thanks to RAND engineer Michael Bohnert. @mbohnert on X. 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: Our Community Page can be found on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest [https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest]   Interview with Francis on ‘History in the Making’ Podcast: Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-war-beyond-the-headlines-a-chat/id1752915858?i=1000780259657 [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-war-beyond-the-headlines-a-chat/id1752915858?i=1000780259657] Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/episode/1cOPsUP2JrZZOm8WxHFNao?si=L8UjqLVRRqGLxt6DIWrrSQ&utm_source=copy-link&nd=1&dlsi=1b28971d7531463e [https://open.spotify.com/episode/1cOPsUP2JrZZOm8WxHFNao?si=L8UjqLVRRqGLxt6DIWrrSQ&utm_source=copy-link&nd=1&dlsi=1b28971d7531463e]  Ukraine: The Latest interview with WHO’s Dr Jarno Habicht: https://youtu.be/1Ujqi91joMU?si=7j0bfvysNICRjwE1&t=1282v [https://youtu.be/1Ujqi91joMU?si=7j0bfvysNICRjwE1&t=1282v]  Russia bombs Odesa’s city centre (The Telegraph) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/09/russia-bombs-odesas-historic-city-centre/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/09/russia-bombs-odesas-historic-city-centre/]  Zwei Drohnen über Militärstützpunkt in der Eifel gesichtet (Die Zeit, in German) https://www.zeit.de/politik/deutschland/2026-08/drohnen-mechernich-militaerstuetzpunkt-bundeswehr-nrw [https://www.zeit.de/politik/deutschland/2026-08/drohnen-mechernich-militaerstuetzpunkt-bundeswehr-nrw]  Germany’s gas gamble puts Europe’s winter at risk (Politico) https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-gas-reserve-low-europe-winter-energy/ [https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-gas-reserve-low-europe-winter-energy/]  Kosovan police load up with weapons on the Serbian border as tensions rise (Danielle Sheridan for The Telegraph) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/04/09/kosovan-police-weapons-serbia-border-tensions/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/04/09/kosovan-police-weapons-serbia-border-tensions/]  Paranoid Putin bans his fake opposition (Antonia Langford for The Telegraph) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/08/paranoid-putin-cracks-down-opposition/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/08/paranoid-putin-cracks-down-opposition/]  Russia turns Ukraine’s fallen soldiers into propaganda (Antonia Langford for The Telegraph) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/06/russia-turns-ukraines-fallen-soldiers-into-propaganda/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/06/russia-turns-ukraines-fallen-soldiers-into-propaganda/]  ‘Ukrainian’ drone explodes near European gas pipeline (Antonia Langford for The Telegraph) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/08/ukrainian-drone-explodes-european-gas-pipeline-bulgaria/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/08/ukrainian-drone-explodes-european-gas-pipeline-bulgaria/]  Ukraine’s audacious attacks may just play into Putin’s hands (The Times) https://www.thetimes.com/world/russia-ukraine-war/article/ukraine-russia-war-putin-escalation-npp285zgv [https://www.thetimes.com/world/russia-ukraine-war/article/ukraine-russia-war-putin-escalation-npp285zgv] Ukraine’s Short-Lived Comeback (The Atlantic) https://www.theatlantic.com/national-security/2026/08/ukraine-war-zelensky-trump/688203/ [https://www.theatlantic.com/national-security/2026/08/ukraine-war-zelensky-trump/688203/]  Spy cameras on Navy drones secretly sent data to China (The Telegraph) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/08/09/spy-cameras-on-navy-drones-secretly-sent-data-to-china/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/08/09/spy-cameras-on-navy-drones-secretly-sent-data-to-china/]  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: * Revealed: Why Trump u-turned on Patriot missiles for Ukraine * Kyiv fires 600+ drones in a single night ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Russia ‘could attack Nato within weeks’, US intelligence warns & Ukraine burns Wildberries site 2000km from frontline

Day 1,624. Today, as Kyiv is in mourning following Wednesday's attack, President Donald Trump continues to backtrack on the promised Patriot blueprints. Ukraine hits another Wildberry warehouse overnight, which brings the number of hits to at least 20 since the beginning of the operation, and we reflect on the 40-day strike campaign – has it brought the war closer to an end? Meanwhile, President Zelensky performs a balancing act, meeting with two countries historically close to Russia. Finally, we discuss Ukraine’s effort to prosecute the war in real time, with a groundbreaking trial on Russia’s human safari. Contributors:  Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X. Alex Nichol (Telegraph Journalist). With thanks to Tom Watling, freelance reporter based in Kyiv. @TomAWatling on X. 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: Russian attacks kill 9, injure 89 across Ukraine over past day as Dnipropetrovsk Oblast comes under nearly 80 attacks (Kyiv Independent) https://kyivindependent.com/russian-attacks-kill-9-injure-89-across-ukraine-over-past-day-as-dnipropetrovsk-oblast-comes-under-nearly-80-strikes/ [https://kyivindependent.com/russian-attacks-kill-9-injure-89-across-ukraine-over-past-day-as-dnipropetrovsk-oblast-comes-under-nearly-80-strikes/] What did Ukraine's '40-day campaign' against Russia deliver? (Kyiv Independent) https://kyivindependent.com/did-ukraines-40-day-campaign-against-russia-change-anything/ [https://kyivindependent.com/did-ukraines-40-day-campaign-against-russia-change-anything/] U.S. Intel Finds Putin Could Test NATO’s Resolve With Limited Incursion (Wall Street Journal) https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/u-s-intel-finds-putin-could-test-natos-resolve-with-limited-incursion-e3b02e2c [https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/u-s-intel-finds-putin-could-test-natos-resolve-with-limited-incursion-e3b02e2c] Alex’s interview with Andrei Sizov, head of SovEcon grain consultancy https://youtu.be/gzG-OjuHlgA?si=9zZZQ-aa41DeYvpj&t=1307 [https://youtu.be/gzG-OjuHlgA?si=9zZZQ-aa41DeYvpj&t=1307] Leipzig drone incident fuels fears of Russian election meddling (Politico) https://www.politico.eu/article/leipzig-drone-incident-fuels-fears-russia-election-meddling/ [https://www.politico.eu/article/leipzig-drone-incident-fuels-fears-russia-election-meddling/] Russians face a war trial. Ukrainians face having to defend them (Tom Watling for The Times) https://www.thetimes.com/world/russia-ukraine-war/article/ukraine-russia-crimes-against-humanity-icc-hssdzdswr [https://www.thetimes.com/world/russia-ukraine-war/article/ukraine-russia-crimes-against-humanity-icc-hssdzdswr] If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk [events@telegraph.co.uk] 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 * Russia ‘could attack Nato within weeks’, US intelligence warns * Ukraine burns Wildberries site 2000km from frontline ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Moscow blamed for explosive drone at German airport & fuel queues return to Russia as Ukraine hits refineries

Day 1,623. Today, after an extraordinary drone attack in Germany raises fresh questions about Russia’s campaign against the West, we ask whether it is finally time to stop describing Moscow’s actions as “hybrid”, “grey zone” or “sub-threshold” warfare – and instead call them what they are. We also report on Russia’s worsening fuel crisis, with queues once again forming outside petrol stations following Ukraine’s latest drone strike on Yaroslavl oil refinery. In Kyiv, Britain’s new Defence Secretary reaffirms UK support, declaring, “We’re with Ukraine until they win,” as we assess what the change in leadership could mean for military aid and European security. And later, we speak to the founder of an NGO supporting Ukrainian children with learning disabilities and other special educational needs, exploring how war affects those with heightened sensory sensitivities and what can be done to help. Contributors:  Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X. Sophie O'Sullivan (Telegraph Journalist). Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X. With thanks to Alex Khilodenko, the founder of the CodeIT4Life – an NGO that focuses on building secure underground spaces for children with learning disabilities or special needs, like autism, especially taking into account their sensory sensitivity in the midst of war. 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: CodeIT4Life, the NGO in Kharkiv providing safe underground spaces for children with special needs:  https://codeit4.life/no-limits-inclusive-resource-center-in-derhachi/ [https://codeit4.life/no-limits-inclusive-resource-center-in-derhachi/] Russia blamed for explosive drone at German airport (The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/05/explosive-drone-found-ukraine-plane-russia-germany/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/05/explosive-drone-found-ukraine-plane-russia-germany/]  Ukraine strikes oil refinery 800 miles inside Russia (The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/06/russia-strikes-ukrainian-train-station/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/06/russia-strikes-ukrainian-train-station/]  Report: ‘Russia’s UAV Campaign Over Europe’ (IISS): https://www.iiss.org/globalassets/media-library---content--migration/images-delta/publications/research-papers/2026-new/russia-uav/ammended-file/russia_uav-campaign-over-europe.pdf [https://www.iiss.org/globalassets/media-library---content--migration/images-delta/publications/research-papers/2026-new/russia-uav/ammended-file/russia_uav-campaign-over-europe.pdf] Trump declined Zelenskyy's request for additional Patriot missiles (Ukrainska Pravda): https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2026/08/05/8047361/ [https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2026/08/05/8047361/]  North Korean missile unit deploys in Russia for Ukraine war, Kyiv says (Reuters); https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/north-korean-missile-unit-deploys-russia-ukraine-war-kyiv-says-2026-08-05/ [https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/north-korean-missile-unit-deploys-russia-ukraine-war-kyiv-says-2026-08-05/]  Trump, Hegseth clashed at Camp David over Iran missile depletion concerns (Washington Post) https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2026/08/05/trump-hegseth-clashed-camp-david-over-iran-missile-depletion-concerns/ If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk [events@telegraph.co.uk] 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 * Moscow blamed for explosive drone at German airport * Fuel queues return to Russia as Ukraine hits refineries ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Russian soldier opens fire on his own platoon as Moscow rains missiles on Kyiv in heaviest attack this year

Day 1,622. Today, Kyiv reels from the deadliest attack this year after failing to intercept any Russian missiles overnight, as North Korea continues to support Russia’s war, providing 120 ballistic missiles and six launchers. Meanwhile, Ukraine carries out air strikes on another Wildberries warehouse and several industrial sites, including an oil refinery. Then, we keep an eye on Kyiv and Washington’s warming relationship in recent weeks and discuss whether Ukraine could decide Italy’s next election. Finally, examine the lives of war widows as Russian losses mount, and Francis speaks to the World Health Organization’s representative in Ukraine about providing medical care in a war zone. Contributors:  Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X. Alex Nichol (Telegraph Journalist). Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X. With thanks to Dr Jarno Habicht of the World Health Organization (WHO). 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: Russian soldier opens fire on his own platoon (Antonia Langford for The Telegraph) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/04/russian-soldier-opens-fire-on-his-own-platoon/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/04/russian-soldier-opens-fire-on-his-own-platoon/] Syria tells US it is willing to drastically drop Russian oil imports (Reuters) https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/syria-tells-us-it-is-willing-drastically-drop-russian-oil-imports-sources-say-2026-08-04/ Russia Approves State-Funded IVF for Widows as Birth Rates Hit Historic Low (Kyiv Post) https://www.kyivpost.com/post/80941 [https://www.kyivpost.com/post/80941] Facing a demographic catastrophe, Ukraine is paying for troops to freeze their sperm (BBC) https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqxd9549y4xo [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqxd9549y4xo] Ukraine's war widows: 'None of us was prepared to pay such a high price for our country' (Le Monde) https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2024/02/17/ukraine-s-war-widows-none-of-us-was-prepared-to-pay-such-a-high-price-for-our-country_6535062_4.html British Widows of the First World War, The Forgotten Legion, Andrea Hetherington https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/British-Widows-of-the-First-World-War-Hardback/p/14718 How Putin Turned Japan Into a Den of Spies (New York Times) https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/12/world/asia/russia-spies-japan-war-drones-electronics.html [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/12/world/asia/russia-spies-japan-war-drones-electronics.html] MI6, DGSE, Ukraine... L’Express reveals an unprecedented ranking of Europe’s best spies (L’Express) https://shorturl.at/6t6hW [https://shorturl.at/6t6hW] French spy TV series, The Bureau:  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4063800/ [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4063800/] If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk [events@telegraph.co.uk] 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: * Russian soldier opens fire on his own platoon * Moscow rains missiles on Kyiv in heaviest attack this year ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.