Day 1,247.

Today, as Zelensky seeks to make concessions to those protesting a bill many argue threatens the independence of Ukraine’s anti-corruption bodies, we assess the significance of Trump’s new $332 million military package, then resume our two-part dispatch from Moldova, sometimes described as a frontline in Cold War II.

Contributors:

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

Jimmy Rushton (Kyiv-based Foreign Policy/Security Analyst). @JimmySecUK on X.

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

With thanks to Andrei Curararu of Watchdog MD.

Content Referenced:

VIDEO DISPATCH: 'Moldova is worse than Ukraine': My clash with Russian sympathisers on the frontline of Cold War Two (Francis Dearnley for The Telegraph): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZC5FvDt-u0

Zelensky backtracks on corruption reform in attempt to end protests (Jimmy Rushton in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/23/ukraine-intelligence-chief-zelensky-tear-country-apart/

Exclusive: Chinese engines, shipped as 'cooling units', power Russian drones used in Ukraine (Reuters):

https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/chinese-engines-shipped-cooling-units-power-russian-drones-used-ukraine-2025-07-23/

‘A fatal mistake’ — Ukrainian soldiers slam Zelensky’s anti-corruption crackdown (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/a-fatal-mistake-ukrainian-soldiers-slam-zelenskys-anti-corruption-crackdown/

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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.

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Day 1,246.

Today, after a historic vote in the Ukrainian parliament which sparked the country’s biggest protest in wartime, we assess the damage to President Zelensky’s credibility following his decision to approve a bill some argue has gifted Putin a propaganda victory. Then we take you to Moldova – a nation on Europe’s edge, with the first of a two-part dispatch that includes our clash with Russian-sympathising politicians outside of the parliament.

Contributors:

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

Svitlana Morenets (Staff writer at The Spectator). @SvMorenets on X.

With thanks to Radu Marian, Member of Parliament of Moldova.

Content Referenced:

VIDEO DISPATCH: 'Moldova is worse than Ukraine': My clash with Russian sympathisers on the frontline of Cold War Two (Francis Dearnley for The Telegraph):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZC5FvDt-u0

Anti-government protests break out in Kyiv (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/22/zelensky-destroys-ukraine-anti-corruption-agencies/

Zelensky dismantles Ukraine's anti-corruption infrastructure, brings law enforcement agencies under his thumb (Kyiv Independent): https://kyivindependent.com/potential-elimination-of-ukraines-anti-graft-infrastructure-signals-slide-into-authoritarianism-may-block-eu-integration/

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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

Day 1,245.

Today, we hear the mood from Kremlin insiders following a series of high profile purges by Putin, discuss a new drone factory showcased in Russian propaganda, and consider drama in the Ukrainian parliament which risks impacting the international perception of the government. Plus, we hear the latest on the mood in the British House of Commons.

Contributors:

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

Memphis Barker (Senior Foreign Correspondent). @memphisbarker on X.

With thanks to our guests Iain Duncan Smith MP (@MPIainDS on X) and Jeff Hartman of Ukrainian Action (@UkrAaction on X).

Content Referenced:

Learn more about Ukrainian Action:

https://www.ukrainianaction.com/

Russian elite living in fear as Putin purges take bloody toll (Memphis Barker in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/22/oligarchs-living-in-fear-as-putin-purges-take-bloody-toll/

Ukrainian drone secrets ‘stolen by snooping Europeans’ (Memphis Barker in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/11/ukrainian-drone-secrets-stolen-by-snooping-europeans/

The tortured Ukrainian veteran turning shrapnel into a war museum (Memphis Barker in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/13/tortured-ukrainian-veteran-shrapnel-war-museum/

Inside Russia’s suicide drone factories manned by teenagers (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/20/russia-suicide-drone-factories-manned-by-teenagers/

'An extraordinary responsibility' — Ukraine's new ground forces commander outlines key priorities (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/new-ground-forces-commander-sets-priorities-troop-generation-training-and-unity/?mc_cid=51597b54d0&mc_eid=08d0680a95

Russia’s struggle to modernize its military industry (Chatham House):

https://www.chathamhouse.org/2025/07/russias-struggle-modernize-its-military-industry

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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