Day 1,211.

Today, as the death toll from Monday night’s strike on Kyiv climbs, we report reaction from the United States, plus why we should be paying attention to the St Petersburg Economic Forum and how Moscow has taken aim at Britain’s new head of MI6.

Contributors:

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

Hamish De Bretton-Gordon (Former British Army Tank Commander). @HamishDBG on X

James Kilner (Foreign Correspondent). @jkjourno 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:

Kim Jong-un will send troops to help Putin rebuild Kursk (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/06/18/kim-jong-un-will-send-troops-to-help-putin-rebuild-kursk/

Ukraine's parliament passes state asset agency reform crucial for EU funding (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/ukraines-parliament-passes-state-asset-agency-reform-key-to-eu-funding/

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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

Day 1,210.

Today, as a day of mourning is announced in Kyiv after a severe night’s bombardment – leaving at least 16 dead and over a 100 injured – we consider Moscow’s demands that Ukraine destroy all its western weaponry, and further ramifications of the Israel-Iran crisis for the war. Then we take you to the Black Sea Forum in Odesa, hearing the first interviews we recorded there, and describing some of the sights that greeted us when crossing the border.

Contributors:

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

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

With thanks to Lord Ashcroft (@LordAshcroft on X) and Kira Rudik (@kiraincongress 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:

Russia demands that Ukraine destroys all western weaponry (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/06/16/russia-demands-ukraine-destroy-all-western-weaponry/

How Iran’s support for Russia could tear the regime apart (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/03/13/iran-russia-mohammad-javad-sacked-zarif-ayatollah-khamenei/

Exclusive: Trump administration disbands group focused on pressuring Russia (Reuters):

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/trump-administration-disbands-group-focused-pressuring-russia-sources-say-2025-06-17/

Zelensky's trust rating drops 11 points to 65%, poll shows (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/zelenskys-approval-drops-11-points/?mc_cid=2bda39f5c4&mc_eid=08d0680a95

Not all German politicians want to freeze out Putin (The Times):

https://www.thetimes.com/world/europe/article/german-coalition-call-for-cooperation-with-putin-7j9wsjqcg

The first trial of its kind: A Russian soldier takes the stand for an execution (BBC):

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp8ylx534j0o

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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

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.