Ukraine: The Latest

Day 1,631.
Today, a train in Siberia, said to be carrying ballistic missiles from North Korea, goes up in flames. Then, not to be outdone, a Russian oil terminal near St Petersburg announces it has “completely” shut down following a recent Ukrainian attack. The Starlink spat between Poland and “big man” Elon Musk seems to be cooling and Putin has placed the son of US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr on Russia’s wanted list for fighting in Ukraine. Plus later, we speak to two women brought together by an NGO that helps Ukrainians improve their English – as one of their sons fights on the front line in Ukraine.

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 ENGin volunteers Jane and Anastasia.

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

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Learn more about the ENGin program, which helps Ukrainians of all ages improve their English-language conversation via volunteers worldwide:
https://www.enginprogram.org/

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk

Kremlin hired assassin to murder American on Polish soil, says Tusk (The Telegraph)
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/13/kremlin-hired-assassin-to-execute-american-on-polish-soil/

Blast at Rotterdam port energy facility kills one person (Reuters)
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/rotterdam-port-explosion-causes-one-death-police-say-2026-08-13/

Putin flexes Moscow’s muscles in the Far East (The Telegraph)
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/14/putin-flexes-moscows-muscles-in-the-far-east/

US armoured brigade pummelled by Ukraine’s drones in wargame (The Telegraph)
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2026/08/13/us-armoured-brigade-pummelled-ukraine-drones-wargame/

Pictured: ‘Russian escort’ accused of assassinating Ukrainian defector (The Telegraph)
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/13/woman-assassinates-ukrainian-submarine-commander-who-defect/

Ukraine offers Russia truce in the Black Sea as food supply fears mount (Reuters)
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-offers-russia-truce-black-sea-food-supply-fears-mount-source-says-2026-08-13/

Russian Strikes on Dozens of Grain Ships Threaten Global Food Supplies (New York Times)
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/13/world/europe/russia-ukraine-ports-odesa-cargo-ship-attacks.html

‘We have nowhere to return to’: How Russia is seizing homes in occupied Ukraine (BBC Verify)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-f153d864-33b6-4ffa-823a-bf085f8ec5e1

Ukraine Receives Bodies of 261 Fallen Soldiers From Russia (Kyiv Post)
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/82292

EMAIL US:
Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Ukraine 'destroys North Korean missiles 6000km inside Russia'
Huge explosion rips through Italian munitions factory
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,630.
Today, following the significant raid on the home of Russia’s Black Sea fleet, hitting warships and port infrastructure, we look at Putin’s decision to threaten the seizure of ships belonging to countries seizing shadow fleet vessels keeping the Russian economy afloat, and his decision to visit islands whose ownership is fiercely contested with Japan. Then we bring you the latest Wildberries warehouse attacks, before dedicating the rest of the episode to answering your questions on many subjects relating to the war: on China’s calculus, on disgruntled soldiers returning to Russia, and your feedback on The Odyssey’s message about a new age of warfare and its consequences for the world.

Contributors:
Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.
Sophie O'Sullivan (Telegraph Journalist).
Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.

Producer: Phil Atkins
Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett
Video Producer: James England
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

CONTENT REFERENCED:
Russia threatens to seize British ships (The Telegraph):
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/12/russia-threatens-to-seize-british-ships/

Zelensky: We need US to sell us 10pc of its Patriots to defend Ukraine (The Telegraph):
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/13/zelensky-trump-patriot-missiles-ukraine/

EU receives €1.4 billion in revenue from immobilised Russian assets to be used for
supporting Ukraine (EEAS) - https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/ukraine/eu-receives-eur14-billion-revenue-immobilised-russian-assets-be-used-supporting-ukraine_en

Windfall Use of Russia's Frozen Assets (Model Diplomat): https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/windfall-use-russia-frozen-assets

Ukrainian unit reports shortages of food, water on front line, command promises evacuation when 'security situation allows' (Kyiv Independent):
https://kyivindependent.com/121st-brigade-soldiers-report-shortages-of-food-water-command-vows-to-evacuate-them-when-security-situation-allows/

Russian Embassy Protestors of Ottawa:
https://www.facebook.com/RussianEmbassyProtesters

Learn more about the Versuvius Challenge:
https://scrollprize.org/

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk

EMAIL US:
Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Ukraine liberates 745 square kilometers
Putin enrages Japan with 'unacceptable' trip to disputed island

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,629
Today, just as Ukraine attacks a naval base, an oil terminal and port infrastructure in the Black Sea, we hear that US Vice President JD Vance asked Kyiv last month to stop drone strikes on oil tankers in the region. Then, we discuss the latest UN briefing about Ukraine’s POWs and civilian detainees imprisoned in Russia, and the horrible conditions they are being held in. Finally, our Russia expert James takes us through Syria’s evolving stance towards Russia and the economic fallout from the Wildberries strikes.

Contributors:
Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.
Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.
James Kilner (Russia Analyst). @Jkjourno 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

CONTENT REFERENCED:
If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk

Ukraine Stops Reporting Russian Missile Data as Defenses Struggle (Bloomberg)
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-08-11/ukraine-stops-reporting-russia-missile-data-as-defenses-struggle?srnd=homepage-americas

Russian Civilian Deaths Are Growing Rapidly as Ukraine Expands Its Air War (New York Times)
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/11/world/europe/russia-ukraine-civilian-casualties.html

Russian Turns to India to Gasoline and Ukraine Pummels Refineries (Bloomberg)
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-08-12/russia-turns-to-india-for-gasoline-as-ukraine-pummels-refineries

Dom’s visit to a prisoner of war camp in Ukraine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZuemttm2OM

JD Vance asked Ukraine to halt strikes on tankers using Russian port (Financial Times)
https://www.ft.com/content/725b4d15-bd8d-4083-a04e-db016338af2e?shareType=nongift&syn-25a6b1a6=1

In Russia, wherever Putin goes, gasoline prices fall (Le Monde)
https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2026/08/07/in-russia-wherever-putin-goes-gasoline-prices-fall_6756239_4.html

Behind the Lines: Innocence No Defense for Young Crimean (CEPA)
https://cepa.org/article/behind-the-lines-innocence-no-defense-for-young-crimean/

Russians raid homes of Crimean Tatars and take four women to FSB in Simferopol (Ukrainska Pravda)
https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/10/15/8002814/

Crimea: Persecution of Crimean Tatars Intensifies (Human Rights Watch)
https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/11/14/crimea-persecution-crimean-tatars-intensifies

Crimean Tatar leader: ‘My people and country need defending’ (Hyphen)
https://hyphenonline.com/2024/08/27/my-people-and-country-need-defending-nariman-dzhelyal-ukraine-crimea/

After four years of war, Ukrainian astronomy is battered but unbroken (Scientific American)
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/war-pushes-ukraines-astronomy-to-the-brink/

EMAIL US:
Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Black Sea naval base in flames after huge Ukrainian drone attack
Trump asks Kyiv to limit strikes on oil tankers

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

CONTENT REFERENCED:
Felicity’s Book ‘Bread and War’:
https://amzn.eu/d/07Go8UBm

Learn more about ‘Bake for Ukraine’:
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

Janis Kluge’s Substack:
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

EMAIL US:
Contact the team on 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 for more information.

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

CONTENT REFERENCED:
Our Community Page can be found on our YouTube Channel:
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
Spotify – 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

Russia bombs Odesa’s city centre (The Telegraph)
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

Germany’s gas gamble puts Europe’s winter at risk (Politico)
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/

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/

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/

‘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/

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

Ukraine’s Short-Lived Comeback (The Atlantic)
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/

EMAIL US:
Contact the team on 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 for more information.