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Day 1,678. Today, Ukraine successfully uses its FP-7 ballistic missile for the first time, though they won’t disclose on what or where. Meanwhile, reports point to Russia's sinister plans for the winter which include isolating Ukraine’s main largest cities from the power grid. Russia has vowed to use ‘all the weapons at its disposal’ in case of a war against Nato. We bring you a Telegraph scoop on the Russian biker who masterminded the Leipzig drone incident, plus exclusive footage from a former Ukrainian drone pilot. Contributors: Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X. Jade McGlynn (Senior research fellow, King’s College London). @DrJadeMcGlynn on X. With thanks to Dimko Zhluktenko, from the 413th Regiment of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces (@dim0kq on X). Producer: Rachel Porter Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett Video Producer: Tom Steed Social Producer: Natalia Makohon 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: Putin has told military leaders to abandon rules of war, Zelenskyy says (Financial Times): https://www.ft.com/content/c2ad4cd1-a08a-4f55-8d57-fa83dbfa98af?syn-25a6b1a6=1 Exclusive: The Russian biker ‘spy’ behind airport drone attack (The Telegraph and Welt am Sontag): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/10/02/unmasked-russian-biker-spy-leipzig-airport-drone-attack/ Russia Is Planning Its Most Powerful Blow Yet to Try to Freeze Ukraine (The New York Times): https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/02/world/europe/russia-ukraine-winter.html Ukraine Has an F-16 Emergency (Wall Street Journal): https://www.wsj.com/opinion/ukraine-f-16-maintenance-delays-russia-sabena-engineering-85ca626a Dr Jade McGlynn’s Insights survey of internally displaced persons (Centre for Statecraft and National Security, King's College London): https://totinsights.org/idp-survey-2026.html Dimko’s charity Dzyga’s Paw: https://dzygaspaw.com/ Dimko’s book, Ordinary Guy At War: https://kovyla.pub/books/ordinary-guy-at-war-a-ukrainians-journey-paperback-29 On the double biopic about Charles de Gaulle wartime actions, Résistance (Part I) and Liberté (Part 2): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt28553375/ If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at [email protected] EMAIL US: Contact the team on [email protected]. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible. Thumbnail image credit: @ZelenskyyUa/X HIGHLIGHTS: Ukraine fires home-grown ballistic missile in combat for first timeExclusive footage: 24 hours as a frontline drone pilot Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,677. Today, on Ukraine’s Day of Defenders, Russia unleashes a new weapon against the country, one specifically designed to hurt civilians as winter approaches. Another school in Kyiv is hit and the British Foreign Office adds 31 more names to its list of sanctioned Russians, along with personal details including a few phone numbers. We gave one of them a ring. Russia seemingly gets the wrong end of the stick and threatens nuclear war over its Kaliningrad enclave. Later, Francis speaks to the director of a Lviv-based institute promoting Ukrainian culture and documenting Russia’s war in the form of folk tales. Contributors: Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X. Sophie O’Sullivan (Telegraph journalist). Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X. With thanks to Sasha Dovzhyk, founder of Index: institute for documentation and exchange. 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: Pentagon excludes key allies from NATO meeting (Politico) https://www.politico.com/news/2026/09/30/trump-nato-allies-left-out-01100310 Lockheed Martin in ‘Deep’ Overseas Patriot Production Talks as Ukraine Eyes Domestic Output (Kyiv Post) https://www.kyivpost.com/post/85792 'Apocalypse Baroque: Tales from Ukraine at War' by Sasha Dovzhyk: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Apocalypse-Baroque-Tales-Ukraine-War/dp/1917569319 Victoria Amelina Fellowship Programme 2027 (INDEX): https://www.index-ukraine.org/en/news/vidkritij-konkurs-na-stipendiyu-imeni-viktoriyi-amelinoyi-2027 If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at [email protected] EMAIL US: Contact the team on [email protected]. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible. HIGHLIGHTS: Russia launches new missile at Ukraine designed to destroy energy infrastructureMoscow lost 46,000 troops in September, its highest monthly toll of the year Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,676. Today, amid yet more deadly strikes on Kyiv and the surrounding oblast – and as parts of airspace above Poland are once again shut down – we bring you developments causing deep concern across Europe. President Trump, frustrated by the lack of progress and eager to unlock a path to business, is reportedly considering a deal with the Kremlin that would see the US ease sanctions on Russia in exchange for the release of political prisoners. Then, Francis is joined by journalists from the Kyiv Independent to talk about why Ukrainians feel “betrayed” by Europe. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X. With thanks to Francis Farrell, Toma Istomina, and Dominic Culverwell of the Kyiv Independent. 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: Exclusive: Trump's push for a Ukraine energy truce runs into a Putin problem (Kyiv Independent) https://kyivindependent.com/trumps-push-for-a-ukraine-energy-truce-runs-into-a-putin-problem/ Putin envoy, US officials discussed Ukraine war and energy initiatives, US official says (Reuters) https://www.reuters.com/world/putin-envoy-us-officials-discussed-ukraine-war-energy-initiatives-us-official-2026-09-29/ Trump’s Latest Appeal to Russia Could Outrage Even His Allies (Simon Shuster for The Atlantic) https://www.theatlantic.com/national-security/2026/09/trump-russia-putin-ukraine-sanctions/688808/ Frontline Club Event with the Kyiv Independent on 1st October (Francis Dearnley moderating): https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/panel-discussion-ukraine-inside-their-war-tickets-2000033706656?aff=oddtdtcreator The Kyiv Independent Live in London on 2 October: https://tickets.kyivindependent.com/events/thekyivindependentlive/2281999/r/frontline If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at [email protected] EMAIL US: Contact the team on [email protected]. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible. HIGHLIGHTS: Fleeing Russians using Ukrainian civilians as 'human shields' in KharkivHuge blaze after Russian bomber crashes in Far East Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,675. Today, after more deadly daytime raids strike Kyiv – with people climbing out the windows of burning buildings – we hear how Poland is changing its rules of engagement regarding drones entering its airspace as the number of incursions continue to rise across Europe. Then we do a deep dive into the future of modern warfare and defence procurement following a new long read by the former Secretary of the US Army and The Telegraph’s exclusive interview with Ukraine’s Drone Chief, Robert ‘Magyar’ Brovdi. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X. Antonia Langford (Freelance Journalist in Kyiv). @Antonialford 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: RAND paper: Tomorrow's Victory and the Army of the Future: Forecasting the Next Steps in Ukraine's Military Evolution https://www.rand.org/pubs/commentary/2026/09/tomorrows-victory-and-the-army-of-the-future.html?project=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=1789510664&utm_medium=rand_social&utm_source=twitter Russia attacks scientists in strikes on Kyiv (Antonia Langford for The Telegraph) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/28/russia-attacks-scientists-kyiv-national-academy-fire/ Rewiring the Arsenal of Democracy (Dan Driscoll for Foreign Affairs) https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/rewiring-arsenal-democracy-war-dan-driscoll Frontline Club Event with the Kyiv Independent on 1st October (Francis Dearnley moderating): https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/panel-discussion-ukraine-inside-their-war-tickets-2000033706656?aff=oddtdtcreator The Kyiv Independent Live in London on 2 October: https://tickets.kyivindependent.com/events/thekyivindependentlive/2281999/r/frontline David Knowles’s episode dedicated to Babyn Yar: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/gas-shortages-finally-hit-moscow-as-kyiv-intensifies/id1612424182?i=1000728581605 If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at [email protected] EMAIL US: Contact the team on [email protected]. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible. HIGHLIGHTS: Scientists cling to burning building after Russian raidUkraine's Operation Vivaldi liberates occupied villages Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,674. Today, as Russia’s manufactured humanitarian catastrophe in the occupied town of Oleshky attracts global attention, amid reports civilians are now resorting to eating grass and weeds, the Council of Europe shows the United Nations how to respond. Victor Orban’s year gets even worse, and look who’s back! Mykhailo Fedorov launches his Army of Robots. Later, we have an exclusive interview with the head of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces and pioneer of modern warfare: Robert Brovdi, callsign ‘Magyar’, during which he says he’s supremely relaxed about the prospect of another possible Russian mobilisation, saying, "we are ready to welcome these limitless portions of stewed meat”. Contributors: Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X. Antonia Langford (Freelance Journalist in Kyiv). @Antonialford 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 For the Brovdi interview: Additional reporting: Kateryna Hatsenko and Oleksiy Muzchyna Videographer: Edward Matthews Editor: Josh Bourne Translation: Natalia Makohon Producer: Jack Leather 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: ‘We will turn Putin’s new foot soldiers into stewed meat’ (full written interview with Robert Brovdi, by Antonia Langford for The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/28/we-will-turn-putins-new-foot-soldiers-into-stewed-meat/ If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at [email protected] EMAIL US: Contact the team on [email protected]. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible. HIGHLIGHTS: Exclusive interview with Ukraine’s drone chief Robert ‘Magyar’ BrovdiRussia’s manufactured humanitarian catastrophe in the occupied town of Oleshky Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,671. Today, as the UN General Assembly in New York winds down, secretary-general Antonio Guterres was all smiles and handshakes for Russia’s foreign minister. Ukraine lets Donald Trump know quite how seriously they take his warnings these days by attacking at least two more oil refineries inside Russia. Meanwhile, the Kremlin shows how seriously it is pursuing peace by dropping high explosive on a medical centre, farm workers and a 14 year old boy. And Britain quietly announces it is cutting the money used to support Ukrainian families that have fled the bloodshed. And later, a dispatch from Francis’s recent trip to Germany where he toured the Ukraine Museum in Berlin. Contributors: Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X. Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X. Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X. With thanks to Enno Lenze, Berlin Ukraine Museum curator. 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: Russian attacks on Kyiv kill 5, including 14-year-old boy, injure 39 as drone strikes continue into daytime (Kyiv Independent) https://kyivindependent.com/russian-overnight-attack-on-kyiv-sets-fires-damages-buildings/ Ukrainians in UK fear homelessness over host scheme funding cuts (The Guardian) https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/sep/24/uk-homes-for-ukraine-funding-cut-homeless Le Pen welcomes Trump’s G20 invite for Putin (Politico) https://www.politico.eu/article/le-pen-welcomes-putins-g20-invite/ Le Pen says she won’t leave NATO until Russia’s war in Ukraine ends (Politico) https://www.politico.eu/article/marine-le-pen-says-she-wont-leave-nato-until-russias-war-in-ukraine-ends/ Hungary's "punishment" for Ukraine: how Magyar aims to humiliate Kyiv and block its EU future (Sergiy Sydorenko for European Pravda) https://www.eurointegration.com.ua/eng/articles/2026/09/18/7245792/ Learn more about the Ukraine Museum in Berlin: https://www.berlinstory.de/ukraine-museum/ If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at [email protected] EMAIL US: Contact the team on [email protected]. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible. HIGHLIGHTS: Huge mushroom cloud after Ukraine strikes oil refinery 1500km inside RussiaKremlin forces strike a medical centre and farm workers, kill a 14-year old-boy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,670. Today, Washington’s top diplomat says he has invited Vladimir Putin to the G20 summit in Miami later this year, even as Moscow continues its brutal assault on Ukrainian civilians – including on a maternity hospital in the capital overnight. Meanwhile, a fire at a Starlink satellite station in Poland was a deliberate act of sabotage, according to Warsaw, as Denmark warns of the rising threat from Russia. We’ll have the latest from the diplomatic wrangling at the UN general assembly, including President Zelensky’s attack on the EU for dropping some Russian sanctions. And later, we turn to your questions. Contributors: Roland Oliphant (Senior Foreign Analyst). @RolandOliphant on X. Alex Nichol (Telegraph Journalist). Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett Video Producer: Tom Steed Social Producer: Natalia Makohon 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: Listen to Roland speak to Iona Cleave at the UN General Assembly on Iran: The Latest On Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/iran-threatens-to-expand-war-to-indian-ocean-and/id1712903296?i=1000791501834 On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3yi1uXRLDDLXb3D705zHWa?si=3f73adaea823441a On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmYw4lHgBK4&list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dk&index=1 Russian losses in the war with Ukraine. Mediazona count, updated (BBC Russia Service and Mediazona) https://en.zona.media/article/2026/09/21/casualties_eng-trl La CIA alerta de un ataque ruso con drones contra España, Francia o Italia (‘CIA warning about Russian drones strikes against Spain, France and Italy’, El Mundo) https://www.elmundo.es/internacional/2026/09/23/6ab411e9fdddff35028b4598.html Alex’s interview with Grigory Sverdlin, founder of Get Lost On Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/ukraine-the-latest/id1612424182?i=1000790063760 On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6cnkk1J0I1UqtxTYVUL4Fe?si=a2c72a1d799a4e47 On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcV10QYYU9Y Join our Community page on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest/community If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at [email protected] EMAIL US: Contact the team on [email protected]. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible. HIGHLIGHTS: Zelensky tells Russian hecklers he will only visit Moscow ’on a rocket’Poland says Starlink attack was sabotage amid surge in drone threats against Nato Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,669. Today, the Red Cross says 275,000 people have been registered as missing in connection with Russia’s war against Ukraine. We return to the United Nations in New York, where Presidents Trump and Zelensky met to discuss an energy truce and bringing the war to an end, as UK prime minister Andy Burnham offered his support. Then, we hear the perspectives of some soldiers on the frontlines, and why some long for the days of trench warfare, from reporter Colin Freeman who recently returned from Ukraine. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X. Colin Freeman (Freelance reporter). @colinfreeman99 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: David Knowles Fundraiser for KHARPP: https://www.zeffy.com/en-GB/donation-form/fundraiser-for-kharpp-in-memory-of-david-knowles Frontline Club Event with the Kyiv Independent on 1st October (Francis Dearnley moderating): https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/panel-discussion-ukraine-inside-their-war-tickets-2000033706656?aff=oddtdtcreator The Kyiv Independent Live in London on 2 October: https://tickets.kyivindependent.com/events/thekyivindependentlive/2281999/r/frontline Colin Freeman's Book on the International Legion: https://amzn.eu/d/0cqiSDDD Ukraine open to grain truce with Russia, deputy PM says (Politico) https://www.politico.eu/article/ukraine-open-to-grain-truce-with-russia-deputy-pm-vsevolod-chentsov-says/ Ukraine veterans yearn for return to trench warfare (Colin Freeman for The Telegraph) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/21/ukraine-veterans-yearn-for-days-of-meat-wave-war/ Dom’s interview with Valerie Stobbart, mother of Nathan Stobbart who went missing while fighting for Russia: On Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/ukraine-the-latest/id1612424182?i=1000789807562 On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/34xFLINgowRYMKp3AJ9BmX?si=479d9d97182b4251 On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53m2ZP3xm6A If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at [email protected] EMAIL US: Contact the team on [email protected]. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible. HIGHLIGHTS: Drone warfare makes us long for the trenches, say frontline soldiers275,000 people reported missing in connection with the war Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,668. Today, Russia wakes up to two new hits on refineries as Volodymyr Zelensky is set to meet Donald Trump on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. The two leaders are expected to talk about a potential pause on energy strikes between Ukraine and Russia. Then we discuss the latest and largest sanctions package from the EU, currently at a stalemate, and the new spat between Hungary and Ukraine. Contributors: Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X. Alex Nichol (Telegraph Journalist). 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: Almost unbelievably, the US is planning to pull large numbers of troops out of Europe (Hamish de Bretton-Gordon for The Telegraph) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/09/21/us-troop-pullout-europe-putin-nato-war-ukraine/ Visits by foreign partners are indeed Kyiv’s fine air defense (INFOGRAPHIC) https://texty.org.ua/articles/118329/visits-by-foreign-partners-are-indeed-kyivs-fine-air-defense-infographic/ Kremlin-backed forgery scheme moved $6.9bn through global banks (The Financial Times) https://www.ft.com/content/3848a4ad-1426-4352-ba86-ef1279c4ffd1?syn-25a6b1a6=1 Adélie’s interview with Alexander Browder on how cryptocurrency is financing Russia’s war (from 27:08): youtube.com/watch?v=r8TQnqmuUMI&feature=youtu.be The Ukrainian Book Institute appeal to support Ukrainian publishers, following the summer strikes on book markets and warehouses: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Mn7HUU_nH3AnZn66zjrdv88Fr12lt1x_/view Adélie’s interview with Hugh Roberts on translating and publishing Ukrainian War Poetry (from 13:07): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AXCoKZkXMI&feature=youtu.be Hemingway Knows Nothing, Artur Dron’s latest book: https://www.jantarpublishing.com/product-page/hemingway-knows-nothing If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at [email protected] EMAIL US: Contact the team on [email protected]. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible. HIGHLIGHTS: Giant fireball after strike on Russian refineryZelensky and Trump set to discuss energy truce in New York Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,667. Today, as Donald Trump says Russia has lost control of its ‘diesel oil industry’ after Moscow suffers the largest air raid in its history, early results from the Russian parliamentary elections show a not very shocking landslide for Putin’s United Russia party. Dom digests the numbers with Russia analyst James Kilner. Ukraine forces Russia to close its beaches and gives more detail about how it has brought surprise back to the battlefield, including by using air drones to drop ground drones behind enemy lines. Plus, there are reports Ukrainian troops have reentered Luhansk oblast, meaning Putin no longer has 100% control of any of the four oblasts he says he’s annexed. Contributors: 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: Luxembourg launches investigation after drones temporarily suspend flight operations (Reuters) https://www.reuters.com/world/flights-resume-luxembourg-airport-after-temporary-shutdown-over-drone-activity-2026-09-19/ If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at [email protected] EMAIL US: Contact the team on [email protected]. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible. Thumbnail image credit: @bayraktar_1love/X HIGHLIGHTS: Ukraine blitzes Moscow in largest ever drone attackPutin’s United Russia party triumphs in sham election Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,664. Today, as Russians start to vote in parliamentary elections for which the only thing transparent is the voting booth, Canada considers taking associate membership of the EU. 50,000 North Korean soldiers could be training in Russia and Ukraine gets bored of finding new targets so hits the same Russian airbase for the second night running. Later, Dr Jade McGlynn of King’s College London on what we know so far about Russia’s so-called elections, as voting begins in a contest all but guaranteed to fall in favour of Vladimir Putin and his United Russia party. Contributors: Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X. Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X. Jade McGlynn (Research fellow, King’s College London). @DrJadeMcGlynn on X. Producer: Rachel Porter Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan Social Producer: Lucy Hadlow 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: Putin will win Russia’s sham election. Europe is terrified of what comes next (Adrian Blomfield for the Telegraph) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/18/putin-will-win-sham-election-what-happens-next-terrifies-eu/  En Ukraine, les habitants des territoires occupés votent sous la menace aux élections législatives russes (Le Monde) https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2026/09/18/en-ukraine-les-habitants-des-territoires-occupes-votent-sous-la-menace-aux-elections-legislatives-russes_6776706_3210.html If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at [email protected] EMAIL US: Contact the team on [email protected]. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible. HIGHLIGHTS: Russia scrambles for manpower as it suffers 10,000 casualties in a weekUp to 50,000 North Korean soldiers to be trained in Russia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,663. Today, we hear reaction to the US Congress approving a bipartisan bill which could see significant sanctions against Russia enshrined into US law, with the potential of 100% tariffs against countries purchasing energy from Moscow. Then we bring you reports of airspace being closed over Poland, and the latest developments of the Ukrainian counteroffensive around Lyman. Later, Francis speaks to one of the UN team documenting Russian forces’ appalling sexual violence against Ukrainians, and leading the push for accountability for these war crimes. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X. Sophie O’Sullivan (Telegraph Journalist). With thanks to Commissioner Vrinda Grover of the UN’s Ukraine Commission of Inquiry. 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: The Graham sanctions act is a chance to punish Putin. Here’s what the White House should do next. (Daniel Fried for the Atlantic Council) https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/dispatches/the-graham-sanctions-act-is-a-chance-to-punish-putin-heres-what-the-white-house-should-do-next/  Russians Prepare to Vote in Parliamentary Elections With Little Hope for Change (New York Times) https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/europe/100000011153874/russia-parliamentary-elections.html  Summary factsheet of UN Ukraine Inquiry’s main findings on sexual violence: https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/hrbodies/hrcouncil/coiukraine/iicoiu-sgbv-may2026-en.pdf   Call for submissions by the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine: https://www.ohchr.org/en/hr-bodies/hrc/iicihr-ukraine/call-for-submission  Papers featuring testimony of sexual violence in war: August ‘23 – https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/2023-08/A_HRC_52_CRP.4_En%20%28003%29.pdf March ‘24 – https://undocs.org/en/A/HRC/55/66  October ‘24 – https://docs.un.org/en/A/79/549  March ‘25 – https://docs.un.org/en/A/HRC/58/67  Germany to send fighter jets to Latvia during election amid drone threat (Politico) https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-to-send-fighter-jets-to-latvia-during-election-amid-drone-threat/ Russia stages early voting in occupied Ukraine ahead of national election (Euronews) https://www.euronews.com/video/2026/09/15/russia-stages-early-voting-in-occupied-ukraine-ahead-of-national-election Putin weaponizing migration to destabilize Europe, Kyiv says (Kyiv Independent) https://kyivindependent.com/putin-weaponizing-migration-to-destabilize-europe-kyiv-says/ Global hunger is a threat to Britain’s national security, report says (The Telegraph) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/climate-and-people/global-hunger-is-a-threat-to-britains-national-security/ Russia plans new prison complex in occupied Kherson Oblast among wider prison expansion (Kyiv Independent) https://kyivindependent.com/russia-plans-new-prison-complex-in-occupied-kherson-oblast-among-wider-prison-expansion/ If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at [email protected] EMAIL US: Contact the team on [email protected]. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible. HIGHLIGHTS: 'We'll throttle your war machine': US lawmakers pass major Russia sanctions billUkraine targets Russian oil refinery and aircraft, igniting huge blaze Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,662. Today, the EU announces a ‘counter-hybrid playbook’ and its own version of NATO’s Article 4 after the worrying increase of hybrid incidents and attacks on Europe. The US indicts four Russian intelligence agents preparing acts of terrorism and assassinations across Europe and the US. Meanwhile, American lawmakers are set to vote on Lindsey Graham’s Russian sanctions bill and President Zelensky claims that Moscow intentionally attacked Moldova. Later, Alex Nichol meets the activist risking everything to smuggle military deserters out of Russia. Contributors: Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X. Alex Nichol (Telegraph Journalist). With thanks to Grigory Sverdlin, Russian activist and founder of the Get Lost project. 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: Get Lost organisation website https://iditelesom.org/en Grigory Sverdlin’s book, Warming Point: How I Did Charity Work in Russia and Became an Enemy of the State (in Russian) https://magaz.global/product/grigorii-sverdlin-punkt-obogreva Ukraine's Zelenskyy tells CBS News Russia tried to attack his plane with drones twice in recent weeks (CBS) https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ukraine-russia-war-zelenskyy-cbs-interview-drones-targeted-plane-twice/ Why Zelenskyy says there’s no ‘win-win’ with Russia | Canadian exclusive (CBC) https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.7344745 If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at [email protected] EMAIL US: Contact the team on [email protected]. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible. HIGHLIGHTS: Meet the activists who smuggled 3600 deserters out of RussiaNew Ukrainian interceptor destroys Russia's powerful jet-powered drone Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,661. Today, the Danish Prime Minister condemns the latest ‘reckless action’ by Moscow, after a Russian frigate in the Baltic Sea fired flares at a military helicopter. NATO jets were also in action last night, shooting down a drone over Lithuania. The Ukrainian commander who masterminded the recent counterattack in the Donbas region gives a little more detail about what happened. And in news that will surprise almost no one, Donald Trump’s claim to have got a deal over the line between Kyiv and Moscow about a ceasefire on energy facilities has, just like Russia’s Syzran oil facility last night, gone up in smoke. Later, Dom speaks to the mother of a man missing on the frontline after being forced to fight for Russia. Contributors:  Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X. With thanks to Valerie Stobbart. 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: My son moved to Russia for love. Now, he’s missing on the front line (Dom Nicholls and Natalia Makohon for The Telegraph) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/15/my-son-moved-russia-love-missing-front-line/  Civil servant sacked after asking Telegraph to find son missing in Ukraine (Dom Nicholls for The Telegraph) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/15/civil-servant-sacked-telegraph-appeal-son-missing-ukraine/  Russian frigate fires flares at Danish military helicopter (The Telegraph) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/15/nato-italy-jets-shoot-down-drone-lithuania/  Zelensky sanctions press secretary who accused him of using drugs (The Telegraph) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/14/volodymyr-zelensky-press-secretary-drugs-ukraine-russia/  Putin’s plan to paralyse Ukraine (Antonia Langford for The Telegraph) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/15/putins-plan-paralyse-ukraine/  Donald Trump Jr.’s Bahamas Wedding Was Secretly Bankrolled by Russian Oligarch Close to Putin (ProPublica) https://www.propublica.org/article/donald-trump-jr-wedding-bankrolled-russian-oligarch-umar-kremlev-putin  Jared Kushner’s Dollar Diplomacy (New Yorker) https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2026/09/21/jared-kushners-dollar-diplomacy  Learn more about the Ukrainian Film Festival in London: https://uil.org.uk/ukrainian-film-festival-2025-through-love-and-loss-2/ EMAIL US: Contact the team on [email protected]. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible. HIGHLIGHTS: Exclusive: ‘My son moved to Russia for love. Now, he’s missing on the front line’Denmark condemns ‘reckless action’ after a Russian frigate fired flares at a military helicopter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,660. Today, after Russia strikes a train near the Ukrainian border with Poland, narrowly missing top European officials including Boris Johnson, we consider whether the attack was deliberate. The officials were attending a major gathering in Kyiv seeking to forge a new way forward – we’ll bring you the highlights. Then we try to get to the bottom of what some are calling ‘Ukraine’s biggest victory this year’ – the reported counterattack around Lyman liberating almost 200 square kilometers of territory. If confirmed, it seemingly exposed lying Russian commanders, Ukrainian formidable operational security, and expectations in the ground war over the coming months. Contributors:  Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X. Memphis Barker (senior foreign correspondent). @memphisbarker 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 [email protected] World’s First Naval Drone Duel Results In Ukrainian Success (Naval News) https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2026/09/worlds-first-naval-drone-duel-results-in-ukrainian-success/ Germany floats new Ukraine loan backed by frozen Russian assets (Politico) https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-ukraine-loan-frozen-russia-assets/  EU fails to agree Russia sanctions rollover with one day to spare (Politico) https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-fails-to-agree-russia-sanctions-rollover-with-one-day-to-spare/  Germany Aims to Prevent Far Right From Accessing Secret War Plan (Bloomberg) https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-09-10/germany-aims-to-prevent-far-right-from-accessing-secret-war-plan  House to take up Russia sanctions bill next week (The Hill) https://thehill.com/homenews/6084914-house-russia-sanctions-vote/   Francis’s interview with Ambassador Daniel Fried: On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUjC_O7ZpeE  On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2RGt2H2Ww2a44wXP16XBkm   On Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/putin-will-exhaust-russias-capacity-by-2028-ukrainian/id1612424182?i=1000789061444  Ukraine’s biggest victory this year exposes lying Russian commanders (Memphis Barker for The Telegraph) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/12/lying-russian-commanders-ukraines-biggest-victory-putin/  Watch Mephis’s video on the Lyman counterattack: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56b-9FOC-58&pp=ygUJdGVsZWdyYXBo  Berlin-Hacker stellten geheime Drohnen-Akten ins Netz! (‘Berlin hackers put secret drone files online!’: Bild) https://www.bild.de/politik/inland/berlin-leak-geheimakten-ueber-drohnengefahr-am-ber-6aa3ebb40f417ae59102eab3 Russia Is Churning Out Smart, Cheap New Weapons Faster Than Ukraine or the U.S. (Wall Street Journal) https://www.wsj.com/world/russia-is-churning-out-smart-cheap-new-weapons-faster-than-ukraine-or-the-u-s-c817d014 Ukraine’s way of fighting war can’t match what’s coming (Eric Schmidt for the Washington Post) https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/09/09/how-russia-is-erasing-ukraines-battlefield-advantage/  EMAIL US: Contact the team on [email protected]. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible. HIGHLIGHTS: Putin 'knocking on doors of NATO' with near-miss strike on train of European officials How Ukraine’s audacious counterattack exposed lying Russian officials Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.