Exclusive: Russia defenceless in the Mediterranean & Crimea's ‘highway of death’ under constant drone attack

Exclusive: Russia defenceless in the Mediterranean & Crimea's ‘highway of death’ under constant drone attack

Day 1,638. Today, as Russia is accused of yet another incursion into Nato airspace, there are reports of a major Ukrainian drone attack on occupied Crimea. Kyiv is apparently seeking approval – again – from Elon Musk, this time to use Starlink in strikes on Russian missile launchers. Meanwhile, Russia is defenseless in the Mediterranean for the first time in a decade. We speak to the Telegraph journalist who got the scoop. Plus, a bizarre twist in the story of the suspected Nord Stream saboteur - and which American music artist is set to perform in St Petersburg in October? Finally, we catch up with occupied territories expert Dr Jade McGlynn on her recent trip to eastern Ukraine. Contributors: Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X. Sophie O’Sullivan (Telegraph journalist).  Tom Cotterill (Telegraph defence editor). @TomCotterillX on X. Jade McGlynn (Research fellow, King’s College London). @DrJadeMcGlynn on X. Producer: Rachel Porter Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan Social Producer: Anita Blay Studio Director: James England 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: If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk [events@telegraph.co.uk] Ukraine’s Logistics Targeting Raises Questions for Russia’s Rear Defences (RUSI) https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/commentary/ukraines-logistics-targeting-raises-questions-russias-rear-defences [https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/commentary/ukraines-logistics-targeting-raises-questions-russias-rear-defences]  ‘Highway of death’: the Ukrainian drone campaign menacing Russian logistics (The Guardian) https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/11/highway-of-death-the-ukrainian-drone-campaign-menacing-russian-logistics Ukraine seeks Elon Musk’s help to hit Russian missile launchers (Financial Times) https://www.ft.com/content/ff536e6e-dc56-45e3-b5e0-2dfb28148cb6?syn-25a6b1a6=1 [https://www.ft.com/content/ff536e6e-dc56-45e3-b5e0-2dfb28148cb6?syn-25a6b1a6=1] Ukraine Planned to Swarm Moscow Airports With AI-Guided Drones (Simon Shuster for The Atlantic) https://www.theatlantic.com/national-security/2026/08/ukraine-moscow-airports-ai-drones/688337/ [https://www.theatlantic.com/national-security/2026/08/ukraine-moscow-airports-ai-drones/688337/]  Coalition of the Willing to hold Independence Day meeting in Kyiv (Kyiv Independent) https://kyivindependent.com/coalition-of-the-willing-to-hold-independence-day-meeting-in-kyiv/ [https://kyivindependent.com/coalition-of-the-willing-to-hold-independence-day-meeting-in-kyiv/] Russian publishers reportedly cut print runs after Ukrainian strikes on Wildberries warehouses, where their books are stored (Meduza) https://meduza.io/en/news/2026/08/21/russian-publishers-reportedly-cut-print-runs-after-ukrainian-strikes-on-wildberries-warehouses-where-their-books-are-stored [https://meduza.io/en/news/2026/08/21/russian-publishers-reportedly-cut-print-runs-after-ukrainian-strikes-on-wildberries-warehouses-where-their-books-are-stored] The cheap submarine-detection kits set to expose Putin’s invisible force (Tom Cotterill for The Telegraph) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/08/21/cheap-submarine-detection-kits-expose-russia-navy-ships-war/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/08/21/cheap-submarine-detection-kits-expose-russia-navy-ships-war/]  Russian widows hire clairvoyants to contact husbands killed in war (The Telegraph) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/17/russian-widows-hire-clairvoyants-to-contact-husbands-killed/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/17/russian-widows-hire-clairvoyants-to-contact-husbands-killed/] To hear Francis answer the question about Russian missile launchers in our last Q&A, on August 13th:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbf1PD2Xjhs&t=1890s 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 'defenceless' in the Mediterranean for first time in war * Ukraine hits Moscow’s supply lines to Crimea ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Putin breaks silence on Wildberries carnage as 15 killed in Russian bombardment on Kyiv

Day 1,637 Today, as at least 15 people are killed in another terrible missile bombardment on Kyiv, Putin is finally forced to acknowledge the Wildberries strikes that have seen warehouses ablaze across Russia. Meanwhile Ukraine targets Russian oil refineries once again. Then we ask whether former Defence Minister Fedorov overplayed his hand by calling for election – as key supporters reject the idea – before considering how Ukrainian literature and art is already shaping the war’s memory. Contributors:  Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X. With thanks to Charlotte Higgins, chief culture writer at the Guardian and author of Ukrainian Lessons: Art in a Time of War. 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: Charlotte Higgins’ Book – ‘Ukrainian Lessons: Art in a Time of War’ https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ukrainian-Lessons-Art-Time-War/dp/1787335976 [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ukrainian-Lessons-Art-Time-War/dp/1787335976]  Victoria Amelina’s Book – ‘Looking at Women, Looking at War: A War and Justice Diary from Ukraine’ https://www.amazon.co.uk/Looking-Women-War-foreword-Margaret/dp/0008727503 [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Looking-Women-War-foreword-Margaret/dp/0008727503]  Learn more about the Ukrainian Institute Language School: https://uil.org.uk/language-school/ [https://uil.org.uk/language-school/]   https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/20/russian-cruise-missiles-kill-12-in-kyiv/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/20/russian-cruise-missiles-kill-12-in-kyiv/]  Russia still has 50 Kinzhal missiles in its arsenal after suspending production – Ukraine's Defence Intelligence (Ukrainska Pravda) https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2026/08/20/8049496/ [https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2026/08/20/8049496/]  Fuel pumps are running dry but Putin won’t let Russians complain (The Telegraph) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/20/fuel-pumps-running-dry-putin-russia-ukraine-war-kremlin/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/20/fuel-pumps-running-dry-putin-russia-ukraine-war-kremlin/]  Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, August 19, 2026 (Institute for the Study of War) https://understandingwar.org/research/russia-ukraine/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-august-19-2026/ [https://understandingwar.org/research/russia-ukraine/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-august-19-2026/]  GeoInsider reporting on the Russian naval attack drone shot down by Romania https://x.com/InsiderGeo/status/2090388854855397440?s=20 [https://x.com/InsiderGeo/status/2090388854855397440?s=20] Adelie’s interview with Hugh Roberts on translating Ukrainian poetry https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AXCoKZkXMI [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AXCoKZkXMI]  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: * Putin breaks silence on Wildberries carnage * 15 killed in Russian bombardment on Kyiv ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Zelensky in crisis as axed defence minister Fedorov demands election

Day 1,636. Today, in a blistering attack on his former boss, ousted Ukrainian defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov has taken aim at President Zelensky, calling out government corruption and a governance system “in crisis” and calling for fresh elections. It comes as Zelensky’s new defence minister is endorsed by parliament, but also as Ukraine’s national anti-corruption body launches dawn raids on a “high-ranking official” in the president’s office. Plus, nursery children in Russia have been held at gunpoint in government anti-terror drills and Croatian police arrest a Ukrainian man for the alleged sabotage of the Nord Stream pipeline. Later, Dom speaks to Ukrainian athlete Yaroslava Mahuchikh, who last weekend won gold in the high jump at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham. Contributors:  Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X. Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X. With thanks to Olga Saladukha and Oleksiy Kasyanov of the Ukrainian Athletic Federation, and champion high jumper Yaroslava Mahuchikh. Producer: Rachel Porter Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan and Anthony Melton Social Producer: Natalia Makohon Translation by Natalia Makohon 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: If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk [events@telegraph.co.uk] Nursery children held at gunpoint in Russian anti-terror drills (Antonia Langford for The Telegraph) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/19/kindergarten-children-held-at-gunpoint-in-russian-drills/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/19/kindergarten-children-held-at-gunpoint-in-russian-drills/] Top Zelensky aide targeted in new anti-corruption investigation (Antonia Langford for The Telegraph) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/19/top-zelensky-aide-targeted-anti-corruption-investigation/ Croatia arrests Ukrainian suspected of Nord Stream sabotage, to be tried in Germany (Kyiv Independent) https://kyivindependent.com/croatia-arrests-suspected-nord-stream-saboteur-to-be-tried-in-germany/ 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: * Mykhailo Fedorov calls for election in blistering attack on Zelensky * Former defence minister also claims corruption is harming Kyiv’s war effort ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Drone blitz on Moscow as Ukraine launches 637 drones & UN 'not fit for purpose', says UN

Day 1,635. Today, after a huge drone attack on the Moscow region – potentially breaking another record – we report on the latest major Red Square military parade to be cancelled. Meanwhile, the Kremlin reportedly makes sure an outspoken banker is silenced for daring to suggest that Russia cannot win a war of attrition against Ukraine and its allies. Then Dom asks the UN’s representative in Ukraine whether the current model is “fit for purpose.” His answer may surprise you. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X. With thanks Matthias Schmale, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine. Producer: Rachel Porter Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan and Anthony Melton 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: If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk [events@telegraph.co.uk] Russia jails political leader for opposing Ukraine war (The Telegraph) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/18/russia-jails-political-leader-for-opposing-ukraine-war/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/18/russia-jails-political-leader-for-opposing-ukraine-war/]  Senior Russian banker sacked after saying: ‘We’re losing to Ukraine’ (The Telegraph) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2026/08/17/russian-banker-sacked-after-saying-were-losing-to-ukraine/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2026/08/17/russian-banker-sacked-after-saying-were-losing-to-ukraine/]  Russia: Britain will pay for giving Ukraine drones (The Telegraph) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/17/russia-britain-will-pay-for-giving-ukraine-drones/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/17/russia-britain-will-pay-for-giving-ukraine-drones/]  Trump ballroom official held quiet Kremlin talks (Financial Times) https://www.ft.com/content/d88a8878-425d-4225-bda4-576c6c42734e?shareType=nongift&syn-25a6b1a6=1 [https://www.ft.com/content/d88a8878-425d-4225-bda4-576c6c42734e?shareType=nongift&syn-25a6b1a6=1]  ‘Deliberate negligence’: Russian nuclear power company with EU operations accused of violating safety standards (Politico) https://www.politico.eu/article/rosatom-hungary-nuclear-energy-egypt-russia-el-dabaa-paks-ii-russia-safety-standards-violations/ [https://www.politico.eu/article/rosatom-hungary-nuclear-energy-egypt-russia-el-dabaa-paks-ii-russia-safety-standards-violations/]  NAFO Fella Accounts re. paintings: https://x.com/ky_painter [https://x.com/ky_painter?lang=en] | @kypainter.bsky.social https://x.com/fellarequests [https://x.com/fellarequests]  https://x.com/Official_NAFO [https://x.com/Official_NAFO]  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 launches massive drone blitz at Moscow * UN not fit for purpose, says UN in exclusive interview ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Smoke fills Moscow sky after Ukraine wipes out key Wildberries warehouse in 'largest attack of the year'

Day 1,634. Today, Ukraine sets the sky alight over Moscow oblast as it wipes out the latest Wildberries warehouse. Plus, in what Moscow said was Kyiv’s biggest attack of the year, the plant manufacturing rockets for Russia’s space programme was also destroyed, 9000km inside Russia. Thousands of protesters gathered in Kyiv over the weekend in support of former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov, and Russia’s Foreign Minister effectively admitted responsibility for recent operations in Europe such as the Leipzig drone attack, saying the West is “already starting to groan”. And later, we talk to two journalists who have just returned from Kharkiv, where they made a film warning that the city is fast catching up with Kherson when it comes to drone safari attacks. Contributors: Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X. Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X. With thanks to journalists Anna Conkling and Jason Bellini. Producer: Rachel Porter Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett and Anthony Melton Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan Social Producer: Natalia Makahon 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: Anna and Jason’s documentary from Kharkiv https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zIaFDV1TsU [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zIaFDV1TsU]  Caolan Robertson’s interview with Mykhailo Federov https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFZ3-nZPCu0 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFZ3-nZPCu0]  Putin launches revenge strikes on Kyiv after space centre attack (The Telegraph) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/16/russia-putin-revenge-strikes-kyiv-space-centre-attack/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/16/russia-putin-revenge-strikes-kyiv-space-centre-attack/]  Russia builds secret drone bases in striking distance of Nato (The Telegraph) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/16/russia-builds-secret-drone-bases-in-nato-striking-distance/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/16/russia-builds-secret-drone-bases-in-nato-striking-distance/]  Patriot missiles have been a godsend for Ukraine against Putin, but they’re running out. Kyiv needs help and fast (Jack Watling for The Guardian) https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/aug/14/patriot-missiles-ukraine-putin-kyiv-running-out-nato-danger [https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/aug/14/patriot-missiles-ukraine-putin-kyiv-running-out-nato-danger]  Second wave of fuel shortages at petrol stations sweeps across Russia (Reuters) https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/second-wave-fuel-shortages-petrol-stations-sweeps-across-russia-2026-08-17/ [https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/second-wave-fuel-shortages-petrol-stations-sweeps-across-russia-2026-08-17/]  Call for the release of OSCE SMM staff members https://zmina.ua/en/statements-en/the-release-of-osce-smm-staff-members-is-a-prerequisite-for-the-implementation-of-ceasefire-monitoring/ [https://zmina.ua/en/statements-en/the-release-of-osce-smm-staff-members-is-a-prerequisite-for-the-implementation-of-ceasefire-monitoring/]   Learn more about ENGIn https://www.enginprogram.org/ [https://www.enginprogram.org/]  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. Thumbnail image credit: X/@JayinKyiv HIGHLIGHTS: * Smoke fills Moscow sky after Ukraine wipes out key Wildberries warehouse * Russian space centre destroyed, 9000km from Ukraine ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.