Ukraine: The Latest

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.

Day 1,624.
Today, as Kyiv is in mourning following Wednesday's attack, President Donald Trump continues to backtrack on the promised Patriot blueprints. Ukraine hits another Wildberry warehouse overnight, which brings the number of hits to at least 20 since the beginning of the operation, and we reflect on the 40-day strike campaign – has it brought the war closer to an end? Meanwhile, President Zelensky performs a balancing act, meeting with two countries historically close to Russia. Finally, we discuss Ukraine’s effort to prosecute the war in real time, with a groundbreaking trial on Russia’s human safari.

Contributors:
Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.
Alex Nichol (Telegraph Journalist).

With thanks to Tom Watling, freelance reporter based in Kyiv. @TomAWatling 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

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Russian attacks kill 9, injure 89 across Ukraine over past day as Dnipropetrovsk Oblast comes under nearly 80 attacks (Kyiv Independent)
https://kyivindependent.com/russian-attacks-kill-9-injure-89-across-ukraine-over-past-day-as-dnipropetrovsk-oblast-comes-under-nearly-80-strikes/

What did Ukraine's '40-day campaign' against Russia deliver? (Kyiv Independent)
https://kyivindependent.com/did-ukraines-40-day-campaign-against-russia-change-anything/

U.S. Intel Finds Putin Could Test NATO’s Resolve With Limited Incursion (Wall Street Journal)
https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/u-s-intel-finds-putin-could-test-natos-resolve-with-limited-incursion-e3b02e2c

Alex’s interview with Andrei Sizov, head of SovEcon grain consultancy
https://youtu.be/gzG-OjuHlgA?si=9zZZQ-aa41DeYvpj&t=1307

Leipzig drone incident fuels fears of Russian election meddling (Politico)
https://www.politico.eu/article/leipzig-drone-incident-fuels-fears-russia-election-meddling/

Russians face a war trial. Ukrainians face having to defend them (Tom Watling for The Times)
https://www.thetimes.com/world/russia-ukraine-war/article/ukraine-russia-crimes-against-humanity-icc-hssdzdswr

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

Russia ‘could attack Nato within weeks’, US intelligence warns
Ukraine burns Wildberries site 2000km from frontline
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,623.
Today, after an extraordinary drone attack in Germany raises fresh questions about Russia’s campaign against the West, we ask whether it is finally time to stop describing Moscow’s actions as “hybrid”, “grey zone” or “sub-threshold” warfare – and instead call them what they are. We also report on Russia’s worsening fuel crisis, with queues once again forming outside petrol stations following Ukraine’s latest drone strike on Yaroslavl oil refinery. In Kyiv, Britain’s new Defence Secretary reaffirms UK support, declaring, “We’re with Ukraine until they win,” as we assess what the change in leadership could mean for military aid and European security. And later, we speak to the founder of an NGO supporting Ukrainian children with learning disabilities and other special educational needs, exploring how war affects those with heightened sensory sensitivities and what can be done to help.

Contributors:
Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.
Sophie O'Sullivan (Telegraph Journalist).
Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.

With thanks to Alex Khilodenko, the founder of the CodeIT4Life – an NGO that focuses on building secure underground spaces for children with learning disabilities or special needs, like autism, especially taking into account their sensory sensitivity in the midst of war.

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:

CodeIT4Life, the NGO in Kharkiv providing safe underground spaces for children with special needs:
https://codeit4.life/no-limits-inclusive-resource-center-in-derhachi/

Russia blamed for explosive drone at German airport (The Telegraph):
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/05/explosive-drone-found-ukraine-plane-russia-germany/

Ukraine strikes oil refinery 800 miles inside Russia (The Telegraph):
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/06/russia-strikes-ukrainian-train-station/

Report: ‘Russia’s UAV Campaign Over Europe’ (IISS):
https://www.iiss.org/globalassets/media-library---content--migration/images-delta/publications/research-papers/2026-new/russia-uav/ammended-file/russia_uav-campaign-over-europe.pdf

Trump declined Zelenskyy's request for additional Patriot missiles (Ukrainska Pravda): https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2026/08/05/8047361/

North Korean missile unit deploys in Russia for Ukraine war, Kyiv says (Reuters);
https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/north-korean-missile-unit-deploys-russia-ukraine-war-kyiv-says-2026-08-05/

Trump, Hegseth clashed at Camp David over Iran missile depletion concerns (Washington Post)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2026/08/05/trump-hegseth-clashed-camp-david-over-iran-missile-depletion-concerns/

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
Moscow blamed for explosive drone at German airport
Fuel queues return to Russia as Ukraine hits refineries
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,622.
Today, Kyiv reels from the deadliest attack this year after failing to intercept any Russian missiles overnight, as North Korea continues to support Russia’s war, providing 120 ballistic missiles and six launchers. Meanwhile, Ukraine carries out air strikes on another Wildberries warehouse and several industrial sites, including an oil refinery. Then, we keep an eye on Kyiv and Washington’s warming relationship in recent weeks and discuss whether Ukraine could decide Italy’s next election. Finally, examine the lives of war widows as Russian losses mount, and Francis speaks to the World Health Organization’s representative in Ukraine about providing medical care in a war zone.

Contributors:
Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.
Alex Nichol (Telegraph Journalist).
Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

With thanks to Dr Jarno Habicht of the World Health Organization (WHO).

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:
Russian soldier opens fire on his own platoon (Antonia Langford for The Telegraph)
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/04/russian-soldier-opens-fire-on-his-own-platoon/

Syria tells US it is willing to drastically drop Russian oil imports (Reuters)
https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/syria-tells-us-it-is-willing-drastically-drop-russian-oil-imports-sources-say-2026-08-04/

Russia Approves State-Funded IVF for Widows as Birth Rates Hit Historic Low (Kyiv Post)
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/80941

Facing a demographic catastrophe, Ukraine is paying for troops to freeze their sperm (BBC)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqxd9549y4xo

Ukraine's war widows: 'None of us was prepared to pay such a high price for our country' (Le Monde)
https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2024/02/17/ukraine-s-war-widows-none-of-us-was-prepared-to-pay-such-a-high-price-for-our-country_6535062_4.html

British Widows of the First World War, The Forgotten Legion, Andrea Hetherington
https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/British-Widows-of-the-First-World-War-Hardback/p/14718

How Putin Turned Japan Into a Den of Spies (New York Times)
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/12/world/asia/russia-spies-japan-war-drones-electronics.html

MI6, DGSE, Ukraine... L’Express reveals an unprecedented ranking of Europe’s best spies (L’Express)
https://shorturl.at/6t6hW

French spy TV series, The Bureau:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4063800/

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:

Russian soldier opens fire on his own platoon
Moscow rains missiles on Kyiv in heaviest attack this year
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.