Ukraine prepares for fresh attack from north & Russians survive 'only 35 minutes' on frontline

Ukraine prepares for fresh attack from north & Russians survive 'only 35 minutes' on frontline

Day 1,587. As more of Russia’s ground-based space infrastructure is launched by Ukraine into low earth orbit, eight days after the first such strike, Dom asks: where are the air defences? In the words of Ukrainian defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov it’s just “one crisis after another" for Russia, as he talks about the campaign to strangle Crimea. Meanwhile, Russian milbloggers are complaining that the life expectancy of a Russian soldier at the front is now about half an hour; criticisms that drew the remarkable response from the State Duma that Russian people should “just get on with it”. Russia analyst James Kilner reports on how fuel shortages are dominating life in the country. Later, David Miliband of the International Rescue Committee gives a glimpse of civilian life near the frontline. Contributors: Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X. James Kilner (Russia Analyst). @Jkjourno on X. Adrian Blomfield (Telegraph Senior Foreign Correspondent). @adrianblomfield 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: Africans being tricked by Russia to fight in the killing forests of Ukraine (The Telegraph) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/14/africans-tricked-russia-killing-forests-ukraine/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/14/africans-tricked-russia-killing-forests-ukraine/] As the Tide Turns Against Putin, Beware the Drowning Man (Foreign Policy) https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/06/25/russia-ukraine-war-putin-escalation-nato-europe/ [https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/06/25/russia-ukraine-war-putin-escalation-nato-europe/]  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. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Ukraine blows up railway bridges and Russian space centre & UK claims army will be '10 times more lethal' as new defence plan revealed

Day 1,586. Today, as Vladimir Putin continues to make grossly exaggerated claims about Russia’s gains on the battlefield, we assess the latest military progress of both sides, before looking at the long-delayed and controversial defence investment plan finally announced by the British. More money for drones, autonomous systems, and artificial intelligence: but does it go far enough, and how close is London to hitting the 5% NATO target demanded by President Donald Trump? Then we hear what the citizens of Kyiv think about Ukraine being on the pathway to membership of the European Union, and report on a manhunt underway in southern France after a parcel bomb exploded at a residential building in neighbouring Monaco, injuring wealthy Ukrainian businessman Vadym Yermolaiev. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X. James Crisp (Telegraph’s Europe Editor). @JamesCrisp6 on X. Antonia Langford (Freelance Journalist in Kyiv). @Antonialford on X Producer: Phil Atkins Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan Social Producer: Gabby Colvin 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: Listen to our sister podcast Iran: The Latest: Video: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dk [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dk]  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/iran-the-latest/id1712903296 [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/iran-the-latest/id1712903296]  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7gPBO0qnZI1YBi25zaVT1c [https://open.spotify.com/show/7gPBO0qnZI1YBi25zaVT1c] The battle to bring Europe’s biggest military into the EU (James Crisp, Antonia Langford and Joe Barnes for The Telegraph) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/24/the-battle-to-bring-europes-biggest-military-into-the-eu/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/24/the-battle-to-bring-europes-biggest-military-into-the-eu/]  Ukrainian tycoon injured in Monaco bombing (The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/29/monaco-house-explosion-three-injured/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/29/monaco-house-explosion-three-injured/]  Meduza has identified over a thousand war veterans who have already received positions within the Russian government (Meduza, in Russian): https://meduza.io/feature/2026/06/29/novaya-rossiyskaya-elita [https://meduza.io/feature/2026/06/29/novaya-rossiyskaya-elita] 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: Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) HIGHLIGHTS: * Ukraine blows up railway bridges and Russian space centre * UK claims army will be '10 times more lethal' as new defence plan revealed ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Putin confesses 'problems' in Ukraine war for first time & fuel hoarding sweeps Russia

Day 1,585. After a weekend that saw Ukraine’s Constitution Day celebrated with yet more lengthy queues at petrol stations in Russia and Crimea – a situation not helped by Russian oil refineries continuing to self-sanction – Putin shrugs that these ‘difficult’ days are just a speed bump on the road to inevitable victory. Dom and Francis ponder on Alexander Lukashenko’s slightly odd weekend jaunt to China via Putin’s lakeside retreat in Valdai – at least we now know what all the extra air defence was shipped in for – and ask, is he looking for a new best friend? And finally, after news of a mass shooting in the northern German city of Stade, they speak to Berlin correspondent James Rothwell who has been reporting on NATO preparations for a possible future Battle of the Baltics. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X. James Rothwell (Berlin Correspondent). @JamesERothwell on X. Producer: Rachel Porter Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan Social Producer: Gabby Colvin 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: Putin: Russia is facing problems in Ukraine war (The Telegraph) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/28/putin-russia-is-facing-problems-in-ukraine-war/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/28/putin-russia-is-facing-problems-in-ukraine-war/]  Nato prepares for the Battle of the Baltics (James Rothwell for The Telegraph) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/23/nato-prepares-battle-baltics/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/23/nato-prepares-battle-baltics/]  We’re ready to fight Russia tonight, vows head of German air force (James Rothwell for The Telegraph) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/15/luftwaffe-chief-warns-russia-german-ready-to-fight-for-nato/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/15/luftwaffe-chief-warns-russia-german-ready-to-fight-for-nato/]  How German trains became the shame of a nation (James Rothwell for The Telegraph) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/28/how-german-trains-became-the-shame-of-a-nation/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/28/how-german-trains-became-the-shame-of-a-nation/]  Germany considers return of military conscription (The Telegraph) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/27/germany-considers-compulsory-conscription-defence-russia/ [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/27/germany-considers-compulsory-conscription-defence-russia/]  Turkey Offers to Host Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks (Kyiv Post) https://www.kyivpost.com/post/79139 [https://www.kyivpost.com/post/79139]  Putin Says Expecting US Negotiators Once US Less Busy With Iran (Kyiv Post) https://www.kyivpost.com/post/79177 [https://www.kyivpost.com/post/79177]  Serbian President Vučić says he will resign within ‘weeks’ (Politico) https://www.politico.eu/article/serbian-president-vucic-says-he-will-resign-within-weeks/ [https://www.politico.eu/article/serbian-president-vucic-says-he-will-resign-within-weeks/]  Stray Ukraine drones worth the price of hitting Russia, says Estonian minister (Financial Times) https://www.ft.com/content/f487526b-9646-456b-bccb-001f31090919?syn-25a6b1a6=1 [https://www.ft.com/content/f487526b-9646-456b-bccb-001f31090919?syn-25a6b1a6=1]  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 confesses 'problems' in Ukraine war for first time * Reports of fuel hoarding across Russia after long-range Ukrainian strikes ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Crimea declares state of emergency as Kyiv launches 40-day Russia blitz

Day 1,582. Crimea declares a state of emergency after days of intense Ukrainian attacks, as footage shows thousands of cars queuing to leave the Russian-occupied peninsula. It comes as president Zelensky authorises a 40-day operation against Russia ‌“to press for an end to the war”, days before the Nato summit in Ankara. Alex Nichol reports on a major scandal as the commander of one of Ukraine’s largest assault units has been suspended amid allegations of abuse against recruits. Meanwhile, Roland Oliphant has the updates on Ukraine’s row with Poland; the EU’s plan to end refugee protections for some Ukrainians; and Moscow and Washington’s very different recollections of the Trump-Putin meeting in Anchorage. Contributors: Roland Oliphant (Telegraph’s Chief Foreign Analyst). @rolandoliphant on X. Alex Nichol (Telegraph journalist).  Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X. With thanks to Katarína Mathernová, EU Ambassador to Ukraine. 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: The “Skelya” assault regiment commented on the Babel investigation into torture and murders in the unit (Babel) https://babel.ua/en/news/127978-the-skelya-assault-regiment-commented-on-the-babel-investigation-into-torture-and-murders-in-the-unit [https://babel.ua/en/news/127978-the-skelya-assault-regiment-commented-on-the-babel-investigation-into-torture-and-murders-in-the-unit]  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: * Occupied Crimea declares state of emergency as thousands flee the peninsula  * Zelensky announces 40-day operation “to press for an end to the war” ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Putin sacrifices Crimea air defences to shield Moscow & Zelensky says 'Russia will be forced to choose peace'

Day 1,581. As the clock ticks down on President Zelensky’s ultimatum to Belarus, Dom examines reports that the drone relay stations Kyiv accused Minsk of hosting have suddenly stopped working – and asks whether Lukashenko may be edging away from Putin. He also has the latest on Ukraine’s long-range strikes deep inside Russia, as France seizes another shadow fleet tanker and Kyiv presses its campaign to raise the cost of war for the Kremlin. Francis unpacks NATO secretary general Mark Rutte’s visit to Donald Trump in the Oval Office. Later, we take you to Gdańsk for the Ukraine Recovery Conference, where the first tranche of the EU’s €90 billion support package is formally handed over to Kyiv. Contributors:  Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X. With thanks to Orysia Lutsevych, head of the Ukraine Forum at Chatham House. 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: Orysia Lutsevych’s Chatham House paper, ‘Why a ‘whole-of-society’ model is essential for Ukraine’s recovery’: https://www.chathamhouse.org/2026/06/why-whole-society-model-essential-ukraines-recovery [https://www.chathamhouse.org/2026/06/why-whole-society-model-essential-ukraines-recovery]  «Дураки за деньги закончились»: как российские власти пытаются решить проблему нехватки контрактников (Vertska, in Russian) https://verstka.media/kak-rossiiskie-vlasti-pytayutsya-reshit-problemu-nehvatki-kontraktnikov [https://verstka.media/kak-rossiiskie-vlasti-pytayutsya-reshit-problemu-nehvatki-kontraktnikov] 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 sacrifices Crimea air defences to shield Moscow * Zelensky says 'Russia will be forced to choose peace' ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.