Day 1,209.

Today, after Russia launches a combined missile and drone attack against Kremenchuk – right in the centre of Ukraine – we consider an intelligence operation in the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad which caused $5 million worth of damage. Then we hear about a new play that has just opened in London about Ukraine's experience, after a deep dive into how Moscow hired African farmers to make shampoo, before sending them to war.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.

Ben Farmer (Africa correspondent). @benfarmer on X.

With thanks to Josephine Burton and Simeon Kylsyi at Dash Arts.

SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/

Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers.

Content Referenced:

‘The Reckoning’ at the Arcola Theatre until 28th June:

https://www.arcolatheatre.com/whats-on/the-reckoning/

You can learn more and contact the team at:

https://www.dasharts.org.uk/contact

Russia hired African farmers to make shampoo, then sent them to war (Ben Farmer in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/06/09/russia-sent-african-shampoo-makers-die-ukraine-front-line/

The Russia affair in the Swiss secret service (Swiss Info):

https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/foreign-affairs/the-russia-affair-in-the-swiss-secret-service/89461415

How Russia recruited a teenage Canadian spy (Reuters):

https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/europe-espionage-teen-spy/

Ukrainian intelligence agents attack Russian substation causing $5 million in damage (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/hur-agents-ignite-substation-in-russias-kaliningrad-in-sabotage-operation/

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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

Day 1,206.

Today, as explosions are heard across Crimea, we discuss the impact of Israel’s attack on Iran on the war in Ukraine, especially on drone procurement. Then we do a deep dive into Ukrainian food, visiting a special charity in Kharkiv making salt, and interviewing a bestselling cookery writer about her family’s remarkable experiences over the past century, and the recipes passed down the generations.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.

With thanks to Olia Hercules (bestselling cookery writer). @Olia_Hercules on X.

Content Referenced:

Join Us for Live Podcast at Chalke Valley (29 June):

https://www.chalkefestival.com/

Join Us for Live Podcast at Scarborough Fair (9 July):

https://scarboroughfair.uk/events/putins-folly-the-war-in-ukraine-three-years-on/

Charities Mentioned in Kharkiv Segment:

https://www.instagram.com/lavka_deokupatsii/?igsh=dG4wNzVnZjBsdDZy#

https://www.instagram.com/volonterska_ua/?igsh=M2Q3ZmJ3YXRhMHlz#

Olia Hercules’s Book - ‘Strong Roots: A Ukrainian Family Story of War, Exile and Hope’:

https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/strong-roots-9781526662965/

Nato drafts one-page communiqué to suit Trump’s attention span (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/06/13/nato-drawing-up-trump-one-page-communique/

France blocking Britain from EU’s massive defence fund (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/06/12/france-blocking-britain-from-eu-massive-defence-fund/

Pro-Orbán propagandist’s ties to Russian intelligence exposed during national security screening (Direkt36):

https://www.direkt36.hu/en/fideszes-propagandista-orosz-titkosszolgalati-kapcsolatai-buktak-ki-egy-nemzetbiztonsagi-ellenorzesen/

SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

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Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers.

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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

Day 1,205.

Today, as Russian casualties reportedly pass one million, we assess an extraordinary press release by the Trump administration marking ‘Russia Day’, and examine the mentality underpinning the United States’s stance on the war. Then we hear again from a Ukrainian winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, and discuss Margaret Thatcher’s attitude towards Russia with the Iron Lady’s definitive biographer and confidant.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.

Charles Moore, Baron Moore of Etchingham (Member of the House of Lords and former editor of The Daily Telegraph). @CharlesHMoore on X.

Olseandra Matviichuk (Ukrainian Human Rights Lawyer and Head of Centre for Civil Liberties). @avalaina on X.

SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/

Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers.

Content Referenced:

Oleksandra’s list of some trusted NGOs and charities supporting Ukraine:

https://www.ukraineshortlist.com/

Russia sends its most valuable planes as far away from Ukraine as possible (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/06/11/russia-sends-nuclear-bombers-further-after-ukraine-drone/

“They are hunting us”: systematic drone attacks targeting civilians in Kherson (Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine): https://www.ohchr.org/en/hr-bodies/hrc/iicihr-ukraine/index

NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:

The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them. Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatest

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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

Day 1,204.

Today, as Russia continues to attack civilians in Ukraine – two weeks after Donald Trump said it would take him a fortnight to work out if Vladimir Putin was serious about peace or just ‘tapping’ him along – we take the temperature in Brussels where more sanctions have been announced, and also hear from a senior Ukrainian defence official.

Contributors:

Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.

Joe Barnes (Brussels Correspondent). @Barnes_Joe on X.

Yulia Marushevska (Head of the Reforms Support Office in Ukraine's Ministry of Defense). @MarushevskaY on X.

SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/

Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers.

NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:

The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them. Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatest

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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

Day 1,203.

Today, as Ukraine fends off yet another overnight aerial bombardment, the first prisoners of war to return since the latest rounds of peace talks arrive in Ukraine. Meanwhile in London, we hear about NATO’s Secretary General Mark Rutte’s punchy speech at Chatham House yesterday. Finally, we talk with former Swedish Defence minister Peter Hulqvist.

Contributors:

Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist and Producer). @adeliepjz on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.

Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.

With thanks to former Swedish Defence minister Peter Hulqvist.

SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/

Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers.

Content Referenced:

Spend more or get ready to speak Russian, Nato chief warns UK, The Telegraph

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/06/09/russia-ukraine-zelensky-putin-nato-war-latest-news/

Families of missing Ukrainians gather as prisoner exchange begins, BBC

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c20q4wgx5xxo

Families of Ukraine's missing fear peace will not bring them home, BBC

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9wg2jelpyno

Paris’ Hotel Lutetia Is Haunted by History, The Smithsonian Magazine

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/paris-hotel-lutetia-haunted-history-180971629/#:~:text=The%20exhibit%20would%20be%20called,between%20April%20and%20August%201945.

The Postcard by Anne Berest review – an autofictional tale of family survival, The Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/oct/04/the-postcard-by-anne-berest-review-an-autofictional-tale-of-family-survival

NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:

The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them. Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatest

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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

Day 1,202.

Today, we assess the overall strategic picture as Russia sets its sights on one of the regions not illegally annexed after one the most furious, but failed, aerial bombardments of the war. Then we hear more from the fallout of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s meeting with Donald Trump and from the Polish Presidential election last week, before hearing from a historian of the Cold War about the right, and wrong, lessons we take from that era.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Memphis Barker (Senior foreign correspondent). @memphisbarker on X.

James Rothwell (Berlin Correspondent). @JamesERothwell on X.

With thanks to Vladislav Zubok (Historian of international relations, London School of Economics). @VladislavZubok1 on X.

SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/

Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers.

Content Referenced:

‘The World of the Cold War’ by Vladislav Zubok:

https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/303799/the-world-of-the-cold-war-by-zubok-vladislav/9780241696149

Ukraine’s race to recovery after Russian devastation (Memphis Barker in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/06/07/ukraines-race-to-rebuild-power-plants-russian-bombardment/

How Merz plans to avoid an Oval Office pasting (James Rothwell in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/06/05/german-chancellor-merz-plan-avoid-oval-office-pasting/

Watch: New footage of Ukraine’s daring drone raid on Russian planes (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/06/08/watch-new-footage-ukraine-drone-attack-russia-planes/

Putin unleashes a summer offensive to break Ukraine (The Economist):

https://www.economist.com/europe/2025/06/08/putin-unleashes-a-summer-offensive-to-break-ukraine

President Zelensky’s Interview with ABC News:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7gSoZ0_M8E

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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

Day 1,199.

Today, as Ukraine strikes more military targets deep inside Russia, Moscow responds by launching a massive missile and drone attack against civilian targets across much of Ukraine. We hear what life is like in the embattled city of Pokrovsk in the Donbas, and then the latest updates on resistance in the occupied territories with Dr Jade McGlynn. Later, we interview Lord Robertson - architect of the UK’s Strategic Defence Review.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.

Fermín Torrano (Freelance Reporter). @FerminTorrano on X.

Dr. Jade McGlynn (War Studies Department of King's College). @DrJadeMcGlynn on X.

Roland Oliphant (Senior Foreign Correspondent). @RolandOliphant on X.

With thanks to Lord Robertson (former NATO Secretary General of NATO and lead author of Britain's Strategic Defence Review)

SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/

Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers.

Content Referenced:

Hear the full interview with Lord Robertson on our sister podcast ‘Battle Lines’:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/battle-lines/

Learn more about ‘Helping to Leave’ - the charity mentioned by Jade McGlynn:

https://helpingtoleave.org/en

My 24 hours on the front line (Fermín Torrano for The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/on-ukraine-front-line-pokrovsk-russia/

NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:

The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them. Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatest

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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

Day 1,198.

Today, as the true impact of the historic drone strikes on the Russian air fleet become clear, we reflect more deeply on their implications for the war, and what it tells us that Putin refused to reference them in televised remarks. Plus we share more on our experiences in the port city of Odesa this week, including recordings from inside a basement during an air raid.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.

SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/

Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers.

Content Referenced:

'Nothing secret left' - Ukraine hacks Russia's Tupolev bomber producer, source claims (Kyiv Independent)

https://kyivindependent.com/there-is-nothing-secret-left-ukraine-hacks-russias-tupolev-aircraft-manufacturer-source-claims/?mc_cid=2b5c0b70f8&mc_eid=08d0680a95

U.S. Is Redirecting Critical Antidrone Technology From Ukraine to U.S. Forces (Wall Street Journal)

https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/us-halts-ukraine-anti-drone-russia-ce0b5b75

UK Parliament Petition to send Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicles to Ukraine: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/719124

NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:

The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them. Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatest

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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