Day 1,253.

Today, after a quieter night in the skies, we turn our focus to renewed tank movements on the ground and covert operations at sea – before sitting down with the director of the Oscar-winning ‘20 Days in Mariupol’ to discuss his new film, ‘2000 Metres to Andriivka’. Plus we share how Elon Musk reportedly stopped Starlink operations during an important Ukrainian counterattack.

Contributors:

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

Hamish de Bretton Gordon (Former Tank Commander). @HamishDBG on X.

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

With thanks to our guest, Mstyslav Chernov.

Content Referenced:

Learn More’ About 2000 Meters To Andriivka’:

https://releasing.dogwoof.com/2000-meters-to-andriivka

Musk ordered shutdown of Starlink satellite service as Ukraine retook territory from Russia (Reuters):

https://www.reuters.com/investigations/musk-ordered-shutdown-starlink-satellite-service-ukraine-retook-territory-russia-2025-07-25/

Why Ukraine can't afford to demobilize its soldiers (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/why-ukraine-cant-afford-to-demobilize-its-soldiers/

Understanding Russia’s Black Sea strategy (Chatham House):

https://www.chathamhouse.org/2025/07/understanding-russias-black-sea-strategy

100 years of Telegraph Puzzles: Can you complete our first ever crossword?:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/07/28/100-years-the-telegraph-crossword-week-long-celebration/

Puzzles Main Page:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/puzzles/

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.

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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Day 1,252.

Today, after another 24 hours of heavy civilian losses in Ukraine, and significant strikes on Russian railway infrastructure, we assess Trump’s claim that he is shortening the 50-day deadline for a ceasefire. Then, we hear the latest on German military reforms and return to the Black Sea for a second dispatch with the Ukrainian navy.

Contributors:

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

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

Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNichollson X.

With thanks to Igor and Pavlo, representatives from 39th Coastal Brigade of the 30th Marine Corps.

Content Referenced:

Dom’s Video Dispatch from the Black Sea:

https://youtu.be/w2YjuuQz414

Longer Audio Version, with more voices:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2X5CXYgUvXpVfUblBBu5DF

Germany passes ‘Bundeswehrbeschaffungsbeschleunigungsgesetz’ law to streamline army (James Rothwell in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/23/germany-bundeswehrbeschaffungsbeschleunigungsgesetz-law/

Britain and Germany to develop super missile (James Rothwell in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/17/britain-germany-develop-super-taurus-long-range-missile/

EU warns Kyiv it will halt funding unless anti-corruption agencies' independence is restored (Ukrainian Pravda):

https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/07/29/7523882/

Europe’s roads and rail unfit for war with Russia, EU transport chief warns (Financial Times)

https://www.ft.com/content/d77d4c1d-da26-4624-8b77-2178d4ac1125

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.

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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

Day 1,251.

Today, as Russia continues its mechanised push in the Donetsk region, we continue reporting on the corruption bill that has shaken Ukraine, as some MPs fear ‘revenge’ if they were to reinstate anti-corruption agencies. Meanwhile, Russia cancels its annual Navy Day parade for security reasons, Russian tourists continue flocking to Europe for their holidays, and we hear Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia and New Zealand.

Contributors:

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

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

James Crisp (Europe Editor). @JamesCrisp6 on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNichollson X.

With thanks to Myroshnychenko Vasyl, Ukraine’s Ambassador to Australia and New Zealand.

Content Referenced:

Russian tourists flock back to Europe (James Crisp in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/27/russian-tourists-flock-back-to-europe/

Russian Navy Day parade cancelled for ‘security reasons’ (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/27/russian-navy-parade-cancelled-for-security-reasons/

How effective were Ukraine's anti-corruption agencies targeted by Zelensky, and who were they investigating? (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/how-effective-were-ukraines-anti-corruption-agencies-targeted-by-zelensky-and-who-were-they-investigating/

Klymenko's exclusive interview about limiting the powers of the SAPO (Sulpilne):

https://suspilne.media/1074785-mi-rozberemo-proces-uhvalenna-zakonu-no12414-posekundno-ekskluzivne-intervu-kerivnika-sap-oleksandra-klimenka/

Zelensky MPs balk at restoring anti-corruption bodies over ‘revenge’ fears (Financial Times):

https://www.ft.com/content/d8c2bb18-b62a-47af-8ede-984d75ab1acc/

‘That idiot Putin wants to take it all’: Russia’s kamikaze tactics fuel a slow advance in Ukraine (The Guardian):

https://www.theguardian.com/news/ng-interactive/2025/jul/27/that-idiot-putin-wants-to-take-it-all-russias-kamikaze-tactics-fuel-a-slow-advance-in-ukraine

Confessions of police officers and government officials in Russia’s borderlands (The Insider):

https://theins.ru/en/confession/283510

The Dogs of Mariupol: Russia’s Invasion and the Forging of Ukraine’s Iron Generation (Tom Mutch’s book):

https://www.bitebackpublishing.com/books/the-dogs-of-mariupol

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