Ukraine: The Latest

Trump lifts sanctions on Russian oil as energy prices surge & the 'leaner, more professional' partisans in the occupied territories

Day 1,478. Today, as President Zelensky arrives in France for talks with Emmanuel Macron, Britain’s Defence Secretary claims the “hidden hand” of Vladimir Putin is behind Iranian drone strikes targeting British troops and allied forces in the Middle East. We report on Washington’s move to further ease sanctions on Russia by allowing all countries – not just India – to purchase Russian oil, a decision Britain’s Energy Minister warns could help the Kremlin stabilise its struggling economy. We also bring an unusual story from Moscow, where a man’s love of Domino’s Pizza has led to a three-year court battle. And later, our regular update on resistance activity in the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine with Dr Jade McGlynn of King’s College London. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X. Dr Jade McGlynn (War Studies Department at King’s College, London). 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 accused of systematic abduction of children (Francis in The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/03/12/russia-accused-systematic-abduction-ukrainian-children/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/03/12/russia-accused-systematic-abduction-ukrainian-children/]  Trump is wrong to release Russian oil, says Merz (The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/03/13/trump-is-wrong-to-release-russian-oil-says-merz/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/03/13/trump-is-wrong-to-release-russian-oil-says-merz/]  Russian with Domino’s tattoo loses right to free pizza for life (The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/03/12/russian-with-dominos-tattoo-loses-right-to-free-pizza/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/03/12/russian-with-dominos-tattoo-loses-right-to-free-pizza/]  Putin’s ‘hidden hand’ behind attack on British troops (The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/03/12/iranian-drones-attack-british-military-base-erbil-iraq/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/03/12/iranian-drones-attack-british-military-base-erbil-iraq/]  SBU thwarts Russian plot to assassinate Third Army Corps Commander Biletsky (Hromadske): https://hromadske.ua/en/war/260757-rosiyskyy-ahent-hotuvav-ubyvstvo-komandyra-tretyoho-armiyskoho-korpusu-biletskoho-pid-chas-yoho-vizytu-na-front [https://hromadske.ua/en/war/260757-rosiyskyy-ahent-hotuvav-ubyvstvo-komandyra-tretyoho-armiyskoho-korpusu-biletskoho-pid-chas-yoho-vizytu-na-front] ‘The Russians are coming (again!) (The Russia Desk): https://desk-russie.eu/2026/03/10/les-russes-arrivent-encore.html [https://desk-russie.eu/2026/03/10/les-russes-arrivent-encore.html]  Articles referenced by Dr Jade McGlynn: ‘Capturing the minds: The role of child deportation in maintaining Russian authority over Ukraine’s occupied territories’ by Jade McGlynn and Anastasiia Romaniuk – https://tinyurl.com/36jva5aj [https://tinyurl.com/36jva5aj]  Carnegie article – https://carnegieendowment.org/russia-eurasia/politika/2026/02/ukraine-elections-preparation [https://carnegieendowment.org/russia-eurasia/politika/2026/02/ukraine-elections-preparation] UN DOCUMENTS ON STOLEN CHILDREN: Regular report: https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/hrbodies/hrcouncil/sessions-regular/session61/advance-version/a-hrc-61-61-auv.pdf  Session reports: https://www.ohchr.org/en/hr-bodies/hrc/regular-sessions/session61/list-reports  Conference room paper on children deportations: https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/hrbodies/hrcouncil/sessions-regular/session61/a-hrc-61-crp-8.pdf  WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: Our weekly newsletter includes maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons, answers your questions, provides recommended reading, and gives exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights.. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers. Join here – http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter [http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter]  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 on air and in our newsletter as possible. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

‘Imminent’ coup rumoured in Russia as Moscow internet cut off & Russia’s deportation of Ukrainian children a ‘crime against humanity’, UN says

Day 1,477. Today, as one of Russia’s largest oil facilities is struck in a Ukrainian attack and the war in Iran continues to sow chaos on global energy markets, we examine growing pressure on European governments to ease sanctions on Russia – just as US representatives meet one of Vladimir Putin’s chief economic advisers. Alongside the updates, we bring you a special exclusive interview with one of the authors of a groundbreaking United Nations report on the Ukrainian children taken to Russia, concluding that a permanent member of the Security Council is systematically committing crimes against humanity. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X. With thanks to Pablo de Greiff – Commissioner of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine at the United Nations. 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/channel/UCdHjleMvPSs-JEjiQ8_D2cA [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdHjleMvPSs-JEjiQ8_D2cA] CONTENT REFERENCED: UN DOCUMENTS ON STOLEN CHILDREN: Regular report: https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/hrbodies/hrcouncil/sessions-regular/session61/advance-version/a-hrc-61-61-auv.pdf [https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/hrbodies/hrcouncil/sessions-regular/session61/advance-version/a-hrc-61-61-auv.pdf]  Session reports: https://www.ohchr.org/en/hr-bodies/hrc/regular-sessions/session61/list-reports [https://www.ohchr.org/en/hr-bodies/hrc/regular-sessions/session61/list-reports]  Conference room paper on children deportations: https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/hrbodies/hrcouncil/sessions-regular/session61/a-hrc-61-crp-8.pdf [https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/hrbodies/hrcouncil/sessions-regular/session61/a-hrc-61-crp-8.pdf]  EU weighs lifting Russia sanctions against oil trader Niels Troost (Financial Times): https://www.ft.com/content/30eabb8f-cd46-4549-b84a-ad5273269920 [https://www.ft.com/content/30eabb8f-cd46-4549-b84a-ad5273269920] 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 on air and in our newsletter as possible. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Ukraine drives 10km into occupied territory on two fronts & White House says it 'takes Russia at their word' over Iran intelligence sharing

Day 1,476. Today, as US envoy Steve Witkoff says “we can take them at their word” after Russia denies sharing intelligence about American forces with Iran – before adding “let’s hope they’re not sharing” – we examine the latest tensions between Washington, Moscow and Tehran. We also analyse a Ukrainian deep-strike operation that raised fresh questions about Russian air defences after a loitering drone was able to film the attack. Then we bring updates on Ukrainian counterattacks in the south, where two operations now appear to have pushed around 10 kilometres into Russian lines, and hear a final dispatch from Adélie in Ukraine. Later, we speak to former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen. Contributors: Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X. Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X. Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X. With thanks to former NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen and Roland Oliphant. 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/channel/UCdHjleMvPSs-JEjiQ8_D2cA [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdHjleMvPSs-JEjiQ8_D2cA] CONTENT REFERENCED: 'I am no spy': Courier in Russian exploding parcels plot against UK talks to BBC (BBC): https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cpd83zwqlvno [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cpd83zwqlvno]  Kremlin backs covert campaign to keep Viktor Orbán in power (Financial Times): https://www.ft.com/content/34df20f9-487b-4cb6-9dc9-d676d959d1ed [https://www.ft.com/content/34df20f9-487b-4cb6-9dc9-d676d959d1ed]  Ukraine makes ‘China-free’ drones (New York Times): https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/11/world/europe/ukraine-drones-china.html [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/11/world/europe/ukraine-drones-china.html]  Strike on Bryansk, confronting hostile social media: Kremlin spokesman’s remarks (TASS): https://tass.com/politics/2099953 [https://tass.com/politics/2099953] 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 on air and in our newsletter as possible. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Ukraine liberates 'almost' entire region & Trump to ease Russian sanctions after Putin call

Day 1,475. Today, as President Donald Trump speaks with Vladimir Putin and reportedly offers to ease sanctions on Russian oil amid surging global energy prices linked to his war in Iran, we examine the latest developments on the battlefield as Ukraine claims to have liberated “almost all” of the Dnipropetrovsk region. Then we bring you the latest from Europe, followed by a dispatch from northern Ukraine, where communities continue to endure repeated Russian strikes on the country’s energy infrastructure. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X. Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X. 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/channel/UCdHjleMvPSs-JEjiQ8_D2cA [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdHjleMvPSs-JEjiQ8_D2cA] CONTENT REFERENCED: An Air-Campaign Primer (Eliot Cohen in The Atlantic):  https://www.theatlantic.com/national-security/2026/03/air-campaign-military-primer/686294/?gift=KGDC3VdV8jaCufvP3bRsPqEbYdfKy52g6Ojp5VlDiRo&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share [https://www.theatlantic.com/national-security/2026/03/air-campaign-military-primer/686294/?gift=KGDC3VdV8jaCufvP3bRsPqEbYdfKy52g6Ojp5VlDiRo&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share] X suspends 800m accounts in one year amid ‘massive’ scale of manipulation attempts (The Guardian): https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/09/x-suspends-accounts-massive-scale-manipulation-attempts-russia [https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/09/x-suspends-accounts-massive-scale-manipulation-attempts-russia]  Ukraine Helps U.S. Bases in the Mideast With Stopping Drones (New York Times): https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/09/world/middleeast/ukraine-shahed-drone-middle-east.html [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/09/world/middleeast/ukraine-shahed-drone-middle-east.html]  Ministry of Defence changes approach to drone procurement: demand will be generated automatically based on frontline data (MOD): https://mod.gov.ua/en/news/ministry-of-defence-changes-approach-to-drone-procurement-demand-will-be-generated-automatically-based-on-frontline-data [https://mod.gov.ua/en/news/ministry-of-defence-changes-approach-to-drone-procurement-demand-will-be-generated-automatically-based-on-frontline-data] WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: Our weekly newsletter includes maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons, answers your questions, provides recommended reading, and gives exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights.. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers. Join here – http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter [http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter]  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 on air and in our newsletter as possible. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Putin pledges ‘unwavering support’ to Iran's new supreme leader & leaked video shows Russian president have coughing fit

Day 1,474. Today, as Ukrainian counter-drone specialists head to the Middle East to help counter Iranian drone attacks, Vladimir Putin offers “unwavering support” to Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei – a pledge that may come with significant conditions. We examine Russia’s latest mass aerial attack on Ukraine following a pause that raised questions about Moscow’s dependence on Tehran, then report on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico’s warning that Slovakia could follow Hungary in blocking EU funding for Ukraine if Hungary’s Viktor Orbán loses the upcoming election. And later, we bring you highlights from a panel at the Black Sea Security Forum in Odesa discussing misinformation, defence innovation, and the flexibility of the defence industrial sector. Contributors: Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X. Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X. With thanks to Roman Pohorilyi, co-founder of DeepState, Kurt Volker, former US Ambassador to NATO, and the Black Sea Security Forum. 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/channel/UCdHjleMvPSs-JEjiQ8_D2cA [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdHjleMvPSs-JEjiQ8_D2cA] CONTENT REFERENCED: Vlad the inhaler: Putin coughing fit shown in leaked video (The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/03/08/vladimir-putin-coughing-video-leaked/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/03/08/vladimir-putin-coughing-video-leaked/]  On the Road With Zelensky, Weathered, Weary and Fighting On (New York Times): https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/09/world/europe/ukraine-zelensky-frontline-tour.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/09/world/europe/ukraine-zelensky-frontline-tour.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share]  Ukraine just hit the fuel tank that feeds southern Russia’s pipeline — here’s why this strike hurts more than a refinery fire (Euromaidan): https://euromaidanpress.com/2026/03/08/ukraine-just-hit-the-fuel-tank-that-feeds-southern-russias-pipeline-heres-why-this-strike-hurts-more-than-a-refinery-fire/ [https://euromaidanpress.com/2026/03/08/ukraine-just-hit-the-fuel-tank-that-feeds-southern-russias-pipeline-heres-why-this-strike-hurts-more-than-a-refinery-fire/] WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: Our weekly newsletter includes maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons, answers your questions, provides recommended reading, and gives exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights.. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers. Join here – http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter [http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter]  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 on air and in our newsletter as possible. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.