Day 1,318.

Today, after yet another drone incursion forces the closure of a major European airport - this time in Germany - we examine growing calls from officials to take tougher measures, including shooting drones down on sight. We’ll also look at one of Ukraine’s most far-reaching strikes to date, more than 1,400 kilometers inside Russia, before turning to some of the lighter, more curious moments in encounters between Russian presidents and world leaders. Later, we bring you our latest dispatch from Odesa, where debate is intensifying over whether to remove a certain statue of Russian poet Alexander Pushkin.

Contributors:

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

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

With thanks to Tetyana Kagitina.

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Francis’s Video Documentary ‘The Battle for Odesa: Ukraine’s Culture War’ -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28HqbQLYGMM

Fears US shutdown will delay weapons shipments to Ukraine (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2025/10/02/us-shutdown-weapons-shipments-ukraine/

Let Nato jets pursue Russian intruders across borders, urges Estonia (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/10/03/estonia-natos-disjointed-air-defence-failing-to-deter-putin/

BOOK NOW: 'UKRAINE: THE LATEST' LIVE, IN-PERSON:

Join us for an in-person discussion and Q&A at the distinguished Honourable Artillery Company in London on 22nd October at 7pm.

Our panel includes General Sir Richard Barrons, former head of UK Joint Forces Command and latterly one of the authors of Britain’s Strategic Defence Review, and Orysia Lutsevych, head of the Ukraine Forum at the Chatham House think tank. Tickets are open to everybody and can be purchased at:

https://www.squadup.com/events/ukrainelive

They are going fast, so don't delay!

SIGN UP TO THE ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter

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 1,317.

Today, as Donald Trump reportedly provides Ukraine with intelligence for long-range missile strikes against Russia, we assess just how serious the economic situation is becoming amid reports of gas shortages. Then, as European leaders join President Zelensky in Copenhagen, we hear about the new 'drone wall' and how Moscow has upgraded its missiles to better evade Patriot air defense systems.

Contributors:

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

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

James Kilner (Foreign Correspondent). @jkjourno on X.

BOOK NOW: 'UKRAINE: THE LATEST' LIVE, IN-PERSON:

Join us for an in-person discussion and Q&A at the distinguished Honourable Artillery Company in London on 22nd October at 7pm.

Our panel includes General Sir Richard Barrons, former head of UK Joint Forces Command and latterly one of the authors of Britain’s Strategic Defence Review, and Orysia Lutsevych, head of the Ukraine Forum at the Chatham House think tank. Tickets are open to everybody and can be purchased at: https://www.squadup.com/events/ukrainelive

They are going fast, so don't delay!

SIGN UP TO THE ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter

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:

Adelie’s interview with mother of Ukrainian child adopted by Putin ally:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nato-and-russia-edge-closer-to-standoff-exclusive/id1612424182?i=1000728072996

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5qaTQOZyq5jVUK1B2U7Cqh

US ‘to provide Ukraine with intelligence for long-range strikes in Russia’ (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2025/10/02/us-ukraine-intelligence-long-range-strikes-russia/

Russian missile upgrade outpaces Ukraine’s Patriot defences (Financial Times):

https://www.ft.com/content/078b8e70-a58c-47cc-b573-598850dd5685

Baltic Defences Compared (Eesti Ekspress):

https://ekspress.delfi.ee/artikkel/120403794/baltic-defences-compared-the-enemy-is-the-same-but-the-preparations-and-considerations-very-different

Ukraine hacks Crimea proxy head, uncovers child abduction files, intelligence source says (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-hacks-crimea-proxy-uncovers-child-abduction-files/

LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST IN NEW LANGUAGES:

The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them. Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatest

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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

Day 1,316.

Today, as fears are sounded over the state of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, we hear how Princess Anne has made a surprise visit to Kyiv to “demonstrate solidarity” with Ukrainian children and families affected by the conflict. Then we report how French authorities have seized a shadow fleet tanker and Polish police arrested a Ukrainian man for the Nordstream 2 pipeline sabotage. Later, you’ll hear Dom’s interview with the UN’s Special Rapporteur for Torture, Alice Edwards, and a note: our discussion covers graphic descriptions of sexual torture.

Contributors:

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

India McTaggart (Royal Correspondent). @indiamctaggart on X.

With special thanks to Alice Edwards.

BOOK NOW: 'UKRAINE: THE LATEST' LIVE, IN-PERSON:

Join us for an in-person discussion and Q&A at the distinguished Honourable Artillery Company in London on 22nd October at 7pm.

Our panel includes General Sir Richard Barrons, former head of UK Joint Forces Command and latterly one of the authors of Britain’s Strategic Defence Review, and Orysia Lutsevych, head of the Ukraine Forum at the Chatham House think tank. Tickets are open to everybody and can be purchased at: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainelive They are going fast, so don't delay!

SIGN UP TO THE ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter

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:

Leaders press to reshape EU under Putin’s aggressive shadow:

https://www.politico.eu/article/leaders-press-to-reshape-eu-under-vladimir-putin-russia-aggressive-shadow/

LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST IN NEW LANGUAGES:

The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them. Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatest

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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

Day 1,315.

Today, Ukraine assassinates a Russian senior officer from the National Guard and Moscow launches the biggest autumn conscription round since 2016. We look at Russian influence of European politics, from the UK to Hungary. And finally, we speak with a Ukrainian-American poet, Ilya Kaminsky, whose award-winning book about a fictional village resisting occupation has now been adapted to the stage.

Contributors:

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

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

With thanks to Ilya Kaminsky, Ukrainian-American poet.

SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter

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:

Unmanned killer submarines can win war for Ukraine, says Gen Petraeus

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/09/30/unmanned-killer-submarines-win-war-ukraine-general-petraeus/

Deaf Republic review — an urgent and moving drama about resistance and empathy, Financial Times

https://www.ft.com/content/3b58624b-3e90-4389-b626-4dc35bdda231

Deaf Republic at the Dublin Theatre Festival

https://dublintheatrefestival.ie/event/deaf-republic/

JOIN US FOR 'UKRAINE: THE LATEST' LIVE, IN-PERSON:

Join us for an in-person discussion and Q&A at the distinguished Honourable Artillery Company in London on 22nd October starting at 7pm.

Our panel includes General Sir Richard Barrons, former head of UK Joint Forces Command and latterly one of the authors of Britain’s Strategic Defence Review, and Orysia Lutsevych, head of the Ukraine Forum at the Chatham House think tank. Tickets are open to everybody and can be purchased at: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainelive

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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

Day 1,314.

Today, amid heavy assaults on Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia, while Ukraine attacks more energy sites deep inside Russia, we hear about the evacuation of families from eastern Ukraine, where Moscow’s offensive continues to flatten whole cities – and about the half-marathon Dom ran to help raise money for one charity trying to help. Plus, we reflect on the historic election result in Moldova, and why it's bad news for Moscow.

Contributors:

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

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

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

With special thanks to Ada Wordsworth and - as ever - to David Knowles (creator of 'Ukraine: The Latest').

DAVID KNOWES FUNDRAISERS:

KHARPP (Ada Wordsworth’s in Ukraine):

https://donorbox.org/kharpp-fundraiser-in-memory-of-david-knowles

British Heart Foundation:

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/bhfteamdavidknowles

Please give generously!

SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter

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:

Pro-EU party wins Moldova election against Russian-leaning rival (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/09/29/moldova-election-results-pro-eu-pas-party-wins/

Why Ukraine is winning the war (Harari in The Financial Times):

https://www.ft.com/content/2a4d7883-e9b5-4a98-b245-76232e70d3df?sharetype=blocked

Exclusive: Russia has secret war drones project in China (Reuters):

https://www.reuters.com/world/russia-has-secret-war-drones-project-china-intel-sources-say-2024-09-25/

JOIN US FOR 'UKRAINE: THE LATEST' LIVE, IN-PERSON:

Join us for an in-person discussion and Q&A at the distinguished Honourable Artillery Company in London on 22nd October starting at 7pm.

Our panel includes General Sir Richard Barrons, former head of UK Joint Forces Command and latterly one of the authors of Britain’s Strategic Defence Review, and Orysia Lutsevych, head of the Ukraine Forum at the Chatham House think tank. Tickets are open to everybody and can be purchased at: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainelive

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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

Day 1,311.

Today, as Ukraine’s bombardments against Russian energy facilities finally spark gas shortages in Moscow, we assess the gaping hole in Europe’s drone defences amid yet more violations, before leaving you with one more documentary from David Knowles, who visits the site of one of the worst Nazi war crimes to take place in Ukraine during World War II.

Contributors:

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

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

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

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

With special thanks - as ever - to David Knowles (creator of 'Ukraine: The Latest').

DAVID KNOWLES FUNDRAISERS:

KHARPP (Ukraine):

https://donorbox.org/kharpp-fundraiser-in-memory-of-david-knowles

British Heart Foundation:

https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/bhfteamdavidknowles

Content referenced:

Our sister podcast ‘Battle Lines’ on the Moldovan Election:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/podcasts/battle-lines/

With Trump back on side, Ukraine is turning the tables on Russia (Joe Barnes in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/09/24/how-ukraine-is-turning-the-tables-against-a-weakened-russia/

The gaping hole in Europe’s drone defences (James Rothwell in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/09/25/hole-europes-drone-defence-russia-hungary/

Video: https://youtu.be/FccpDJxb0vY?si=cc6gB-5EJTW2c24l

How Russian-funded fake news network aims to disrupt election in Europe (BBC):

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4g5kl0n5d2o

The Many Oblivions of Babi Yar (Pulitzer Centre):

https://pulitzercenter.org/stories/many-oblivions-babi-yar

The Masterpiece No One Wanted to Save (The Atlantic):

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2023/03/nazi-holocaust-literature-kyiv-babi-yar-book/672782/

JOIN US FOR 'UKRAINE: THE LATEST' LIVE, IN-PERSON:

Join us for an in-person discussion and Q&A at the distinguished Honourable Artillery Company in London on 22nd October starting at 7pm.

Our panel includes General Sir Richard Barrons, former head of UK Joint Forces Command and latterly one of the authors of Britain’s Strategic Defence Review, and Orysia Lutsevych, head of the Ukraine Forum at the Chatham House think tank. Tickets are open to everybody and can be purchased at: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainelive

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

Day 1,310.

Today, as drones once again cause alarm in Denmark, and Ukrainian strikes inside Russia add to Vladimir Putin’s fuel woes, we report on President Zelensky’s speech at the United Nations in New York, and hear from Dr Jade McGlynn in our latest fortnightly update on resistance activities in the occupied territories.

Contributors:

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

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

Dr. Jade McGlynn (War Studies Department of King's College). @DrJadeMcGlynn on X.

JOIN US FOR 'UKRAINE: THE LATEST' LIVE, IN-PERSON:

Join us for an in-person discussion and Q&A at the distinguished Honourable Artillery Company in London on 22nd October starting at 7pm.

Our panel includes General Sir Richard Barrons, former head of UK Joint Forces Command and latterly one of the authors of Britain’s Strategic Defence Review, and Orysia Lutsevych, head of the Ukraine Forum at the Chatham House think tank.

Tickets are open to everybody and can be purchased at: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainelive

Content referenced:

Zelensky’s Speech at the UN:

https://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/vistup-prezidenta-pid-chas-zagalnih-debativ-generalnoyi-asam-100349

How Zelensky’s Charm Offensive Reversed Trump’s Skepticism on Ukraine (Wall Street Journal):

https://www.wsj.com/world/how-zelenskys-charm-offensive-reversed-trumps-skepticism-on-ukraine-3818cab4?mod=hp_lead_pos9

Francis’s Wiesbaden Panel on Drone Evolution and AI:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VL3bJO9Qsc

Europe’s defence giants rise by £8bn after Trump backs Ukraine (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/09/24/europe-defence-giants-rise-by-8bn-trump-backs-ukraine/

MoU US-UK Regarding the Technology Prosperity Deal (White House):

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/09/memorandum-of-understanding-between-the-government-of-the-united-states-of-america-and-the-government-of-the-united-kingdom-of-great-britain-and-northern-ireland-regarding-the-technology-prosperity-de/

Sources Mentioned by Jade (Discretion Advised):

https://t.me/ab3army/5961

https://ukraine.ohchr.org/en/civilian-detainees-subjected-to-troubling-patterns-of-torture-and-ill-treatment-since-russia-s-full-scale-attack-on-ukraine-un-report?utm_source=chatgpt.com

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.

NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:

The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them. Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatest

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

Day 1,309.

Today, as the world digests Donald Trump's apparent U-turn on support for Ukraine, we examine developments in New York. Plus, we hear about a story of American citizens being lured to Russia on so-called "anti-woke visas", and hear from a global health expert about the latest of the health crisis, and that to come, in Ukraine.

Contributors:

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

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

Lily Shanagher (Telegraph Features Desk). @LilyShanagher on X.

With thanks to Oksana Pyzik (Associate Professor at University College London). @OksanaPyzikUCL on X.

JOIN US FOR 'UKRAINE: THE LATEST' LIVE, IN-PERSON:

Join us for an in-person discussion and Q&A at the distinguished Honourable Artillery Company in London on 22nd October starting at 7pm.

Our panel includes General Sir Richard Barrons, former head of UK Joint Forces Command and latterly one of the authors of Britain’s Strategic Defence Review, and Orysia Lutsevych, head of the Ukraine Forum at the Chatham House think tank.

Tickets are open to everybody and can be purchased at: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainelive

Content referenced:

Trump tells Ukraine: Take back all your land... then go further (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/09/15/americans-lured-russias-anti-woke-visa/

The Americans being lured in by Russia’s ‘anti-woke’ visa (Lily in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/09/15/americans-lured-russias-anti-woke-visa/

Learn more about the charity Superhumans:

https://superhumans.com/en/

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.

NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:

The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them. Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatest

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