Putin strikes NATO: Romania hit in 'major escalation' & interviews with ‘brainwashed’ Russian PoWs

Revealed: Trump backed Ukraine’s ruthless new campaign & exclusive interview with EU's first defence commissioner

Day 1,579. Today, as reports emerge that Donald Trump urged President Zelensky to act “more boldly” towards Russia, the clock is ticking on Ukraine’s threat to target drone relay stations in Belarus that Kyiv says are helping facilitate attacks on Ukrainian territory. We examine the Kremlin’s extraordinary demand that Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko travel to Moscow for advice on protecting his country’s sovereignty – a suggestion that reveals much about the true nature of Russia’s relationship with its closest ally. We also bring you the latest Ukrainian strikes aimed at isolating Crimea, exposing the vulnerability of Russian supply routes as drones hunt convoys and pontoon crossings with increasing impunity. And later, in an exclusive interview, we speak to the European Union’s first Defence Commissioner about Europe’s plans to counter an increasingly aggressive Russia, strengthen continental security, and support Ukraine for the long haul. Contributor:  Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X. Producer: Phil Atkins Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan Social Producer: Tom Steed Studio Director: Chris January 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: The European talks to create a Nato plan B (Joe Barnes for The Telegraph) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/22/europe-rearms-european-talks-to-create-nato-replacement/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/22/europe-rearms-european-talks-to-create-nato-replacement/]  Poland tells Britain: Pay up for defence or risk global irrelevance (Adrian Blomfield for The Telegraph) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/23/poland-tells-britain-pay-defence-risk-global-irrelevance/ Chalke Festival (this Friday): https://www.chalkefestival.com/ [https://www.chalkefestival.com/]    Ukrainian Institute London’s Summer Garden Party (this Saturday): https://uil.org.uk/events/uil-summer-garden-party/ [https://uil.org.uk/events/uil-summer-garden-party/] 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: *  ‘Act Boldly’: Trump backs Ukraine’s ruthless new campaign *  Exclusive interview with EU's first defence commissioner ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Ukraine destroys bridges as strike campaign cuts off Crimea & UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer resigns

Day 1,578. As fresh waves of drones are reported heading towards Moscow, Francis and Dom examine Ukraine’s escalating campaign against Crimea, where new strikes on key infrastructure have prompted restrictions on civilian fuel purchases as some residents attempt to flee the occupied peninsula. They also assess President Zelensky’s ultimatum to Belarus, threatening to target communications equipment helping guide Russian drone strikes. Then, in Britain, Francis unpacks the political shockwaves following Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation and Dom looks at what his likely successor Andy Burnham has said about support for Ukraine. Contributors:  Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X. Producer: Rachel Porter Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan Social Producer: Tom Steed Studio Director: Chris January 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: Vladimir Putin’s war machine sputters in drone age (Financial Times) https://www.ft.com/content/b409d72f-ccff-4952-8b71-dfd62d75a1cd?syn-25a6b1a6=1 [https://www.ft.com/content/b409d72f-ccff-4952-8b71-dfd62d75a1cd?syn-25a6b1a6=1]  Read more of The Telegraph’s coverage of Keir Starmer’s resignation: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2026/06/22/keir-starmer-resignation-labour-burnham-streeting-no-10/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2026/06/22/keir-starmer-resignation-labour-burnham-streeting-no-10/] https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2026/06/22/the-last-thing-country-needs-stalemate-until-september/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2026/06/22/the-last-thing-country-needs-stalemate-until-september/]  And listen to or watch The Daily T podcast: https://linktr.ee/thedailytpodcast Chalke Festival https://www.chalkefestival.com/ [https://www.chalkefestival.com/]  Ukrainian Institute London’s Summer Garden Party https://uil.org.uk/events/uil-summer-garden-party/ [https://uil.org.uk/events/uil-summer-garden-party/]  Thumbnail image credit: X/@front_ukrainian/Telegram/@other_nikopol 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 explodes Zaporizhzhia bridge as strike campaign strangles Crimea * What Keir Starmer’s resignation – and an Andy Burnham premiership – could mean for Ukraine ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

'Black rain over Moscow' as Ukraine attacks again & Russia's 'own goal' revealed after oil refinery blast

Day 1,575. After one of the most significant raids of the war left a cloud hanging over Moscow – in every sense – we report a fresh Ukrainian drone attack targeting the Russian capital. As the true extent of the chaos and confusion is revealed, new footage shows the blast at the Moscow oil refinery from a different angle, and indicates the true reason for the huge explosion. Will Vladimir Putin address the public? Later, the team examines the latest donations of military equipment to Kyiv at major meetings of Western leaders. Finally, Dr Jade McGlynn brings us her regular updates from the resistance operating inside occupied territories. Contributors: Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X. Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dr Jade McGlynn (Occupied Territories Expert, King’s College London). Producer: Rachel Porter Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan Social Producer: Tom Steed 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: How Ukraine found a way through Moscow’s air defences (Antonia Langford for The Telegraph) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/18/how-ukraine-found-a-way-through-moscows-air-defences/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/18/how-ukraine-found-a-way-through-moscows-air-defences/]  Russia vows ‘massive’ retaliation for largest attack on Moscow since war began (The Telegraph) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/18/ukraine-hits-moscow-oil-refinerylargest-attack-two-years/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/18/ukraine-hits-moscow-oil-refinerylargest-attack-two-years/]  EU struggles to define Ukraine role (Euractiv) https://www.euractiv.com/news/eu-struggles-to-define-ukraine-role/ [https://www.euractiv.com/news/eu-struggles-to-define-ukraine-role/]  Some EU leaders furious at Costa official’s calls with the Kremlin (Politico) https://www.politico.eu/article/some-eu-leaders-furious-antonio-costa-official-pedro-lourtie-kremlin-calls/ [https://www.politico.eu/article/some-eu-leaders-furious-antonio-costa-official-pedro-lourtie-kremlin-calls/] Costa outreach to Russia was ‘misguided,’ Estonian PM says (Politico) https://www.politico.eu/article/antonio-costa-outreach-russia-misguided-estonia-prime-minister-kristen-michal/ [https://www.politico.eu/article/antonio-costa-outreach-russia-misguided-estonia-prime-minister-kristen-michal/] L’influente Xenia Fedorova, ancienne directrice de RT France et désormais protégée de Vincent Bolloré (Le Monde) https://www.lemonde.fr/politique/article/2026/05/26/l-influente-xenia-fedorova-ancienne-directrice-de-rt-france-et-desormais-protegee-de-vincent-bollore_6693959_823448.html?search-type=classic&ise_click_rank=3 [https://www.lemonde.fr/politique/article/2026/05/26/l-influente-xenia-fedorova-ancienne-directrice-de-rt-france-et-desormais-protegee-de-vincent-bollore_6693959_823448.html?search-type=classic&ise_click_rank=3] Maxime Audinet : « Xenia Fedorova relaie activement et sans ambiguïté les récits russes, et les adapte aux audiences françaises » (INA La Revue des Médias) https://larevuedesmedias.ina.fr/xenia-fedorova-influence-russe-cnews-jdnews-bollore [https://larevuedesmedias.ina.fr/xenia-fedorova-influence-russe-cnews-jdnews-bollore] La propagandiste russe Xenia Fedorova en majesté chez Bolloré, le gouvernement dans la nasse (Mediapart) https://www.mediapart.fr/journal/politique/310526/la-propagandiste-russe-xenia-fedorova-en-majeste-chez-bollore-le-gouvernement-dans-la-nasse [https://www.mediapart.fr/journal/politique/310526/la-propagandiste-russe-xenia-fedorova-en-majeste-chez-bollore-le-gouvernement-dans-la-nasse] 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: * 'Black rain over Moscow' as Ukraine attacks again * Russia's 'own goal' revealed after oil refinery blast ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Ukraine blitzes Moscow with 1,000 drones in biggest attack of war

Day 1,574. Today, as President Zelensky declares that “if Ukraine burns, so will Moscow”, we report on a wave of strikes inside Russia that have produced some of the most dramatic images of the war so far, with more than 1,000 drones sowing destruction across multiple regions. Then, after a prominent MAGA influencer admits she fell for Russian propaganda, we ask whether Putin’s continued attacks on religious and cultural sites in Ukraine may finally be seen for what they are by the Christian Right in the United States. And after the Russian president appears to answer criticism that he is isolated and afraid of meeting ordinary people, we take a closer look at footage of an apparently spontaneous walkabout that raised eyebrows when a security guard was overheard referring to “background actors”. Throughout the episode, we'll be joined by our friendly RAND analyst to help make sense of the latest military and technological developments shaping Russia’s war against Ukraine. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X. With thanks to RAND engineer Michael Bohnert. 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: Moscow burns after Ukraine attacks Russia with 1,000 drones (The Telegraph) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/18/ukraine-hits-moscow-oil-refinerylargest-attack-two-years/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/18/ukraine-hits-moscow-oil-refinerylargest-attack-two-years/]  Putin’s adoring crowd accidentally outed as ‘extras’ by bodyguard (The Telegraph) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/18/putins-adoring-crowd-accidentally-outed-as-extras-bodyguard/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/18/putins-adoring-crowd-accidentally-outed-as-extras-bodyguard/]  Almost 70% of Ukrainians expect Zelensky to be replaced after war, poll shows (Kyiv Independent) https://kyivindependent.com/almost-70-of-ukrainians-expect-zelensky-to-be-replaced-after-the-war-poll-shows/?mc_cid=d2d0ed0168&mc_eid=08d0680a95 [https://kyivindependent.com/almost-70-of-ukrainians-expect-zelensky-to-be-replaced-after-the-war-poll-shows/?mc_cid=d2d0ed0168&mc_eid=08d0680a95]  Belarus' Lukashenko says both sides must compromise to end Russia-Ukraine war (Reuters): https://www.reuters.com/world/belarus-lukashenko-says-both-sides-must-compromise-end-russia-ukraine-war-2026-06-16/ [https://www.reuters.com/world/belarus-lukashenko-says-both-sides-must-compromise-end-russia-ukraine-war-2026-06-16/]  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 blitzes Moscow with 1,000 drones * Considered the ‘biggest attack of war’  ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Russian warship fires shots at boat in English Channel & Putin 'hiding in bunkers' as popularity plummets

Day 1,573. Today, after a Russian warship fires warning shots at an unarmed vessel in the English Channel, we take you to the G7 Summit, where observers are describing a “turning point” in perceptions of Ukraine’s progress in the war, as it continues to batter Russian infrastructure and strangle Crimea. We hear live from the ground about what has been unlocked for Kyiv, and later – in our regular segment on life inside Russia – we ask why Vladimir Putin may (or may not) be cracking down on organised crime at a time when public dissatisfaction is reportedly growing and his popularity plummeting. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X. Joe Barnes (Diplomatic Editor). @Barnes_Joe on X. James Kilner (Russia Analyst). @Jkjourno 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: Give us Patriot blueprints so we can make our own, Zelensky tells Trump (Joe Barnes The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/16/zelensky-patriot-blueprints-trump/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/16/zelensky-patriot-blueprints-trump/]  Russian warship fires shots at yacht in Channel (The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/06/16/russian-warship-fired-warning-shot-at-yacht-in-channel/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/06/16/russian-warship-fired-warning-shot-at-yacht-in-channel/]  Warning shots should be a last resort. This is a dangerous escalation (Dom Nicholls in The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/06/16/russian-warning-shots-channel-dangerous-escalation/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/06/16/russian-warning-shots-channel-dangerous-escalation/]  Anti-Putin artist shot dead in Poland car park ‘execution’ (The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/16/anti-putin-artist-shot-dead-in-poland-car-park-execution/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/16/anti-putin-artist-shot-dead-in-poland-car-park-execution/]  Sending fuel trucks up in flames, Ukraine tries to cut off Crimea (New York Times): ttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/17/world/europe/russia-ukraine-crimea-fuel-shortages.html [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/17/world/europe/russia-ukraine-crimea-fuel-shortages.html]  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 warship fires shots at boat in English Channel  * Putin 'hiding in bunkers' as popularity plummets ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.