Ukraine: The Latest

Day 1,607.Today, as Ukraine strikes a plant belonging to Russia’s largest steel producer, we assess Moscow’s increasing use of ballistic missiles as the fighting on the frontline heads towards Russia’s bloodiest month in a year and a half. We also report on the man expected to replace Kyiv’s Commander-in-Chief, before a special interview with one of the founding members of Pussy Riot about the group’s origins and the protest performance that led to members being sent to a Russian penal colony.Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.With thanks to Nadya Tolokonnikova of Pussy Riot.Producer: Phil AtkinsSenior Producer: Lilian FawcettVideo Producer: Sophie O’SullivanSocial Producer: Tom SteedStudio Director: Meghan SearleExecutive Editor: Francis DearnleyCreated by David KnowlesNOW 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 Pavilion of dis(Sense) – conceived and curated by the Russian dissident artist Katia Margolis – is in the former Church of San Leonardo, Venice, until August 7. Learn more: https://www.instagram.com/pavilionofdissense/ Francis’s Dispatches from La Biennale in Venice – Part I: https://youtu.be/ay2UT-SeKDI?si=HcbI6rpImmWdnEIM&t=559Part II (featuring the first section of Francis’s interview with Nadya of Pussy Riot): https://youtu.be/KVCZ9mVVFNI?si=zpNovKCPKyoDJdbU&t=829 Nadja’s Strasbourg exhibition, ‘Resistance Imprisoned’:https://www.ritschfisch.com/exhibition/resistance-imprisoned/ Russian warship opens fire off Devon (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/07/21/russian-warship-neustrashimy-fires-plymouth-royal-navy/  White House concerned over Miliband as Foreign Secretary (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2026/07/21/white-house-deeply-concerned-miliband-foreign-secretary/ Mykhailo Drapatyi, the man some protesters want to replace Syrskyi (Kyiv Independent):https://kyivindependent.com/mykhailo-drapatyi-the-man-some-protesters-want-to-replace-syrskyi/ Zelensky’s crisis deepens as ex-defence minister rejects offer to return (Financial Times):https://www.ft.com/content/51dad580-487a-43d4-8427-cdd764cbe8f5?syn-25a6b1a6=1EMAIL US:Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.HIGHLIGHTS:Russia faces bloodiest month for a year and halfInterview with Pussy Riot founder Nadya Tolokonnikova

Day 1,606.Today, after one of its biggest ballistic missile attacks on Kyiv of the war, we hear about Ukraine’s strikes on warehouses belonging to Russia’s equivalent to Amazon, costing millions in damages and a 2000 square mile cloud that can be seen from space. Then we consider the rumours that Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi may be next for the chop as protests continue over President Zelensky’s removal of Defence Minister Fedorov. And, with our guest, we try to answer a key question: now President Trump has promised to share the blueprints for Patriot missiles with Kyiv, how long will it take for Ukraine to build its own version?Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.Alex Nichol (Telegraph Journalist).With thanks for Michael Bohnert – Engineer at RAND.Producer: Rachel PorterSenior Producer: Lilian FawcettVideo Producer: Sophie O’SullivanSocial Producer: Tom SteedStudio Director: Meghan SearleExecutive Editor: Francis DearnleyCreated by David KnowlesNOW 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:Russia unleashes largest ballistic missile attack of the war (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/19/russia-ukraine-war-ballistic-missile-attack-kyiv-zelensky/ Ukraine strikes warehouses of ‘Russian Amazon’ in revenge attack (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/18/ukraine-strikes-warehouses-russian-amazon-revenge-attack/ Fires rage near Moscow after Ukrainian drone strikes (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/20/fires-rage-near-moscow-after-ukrainian-drone-strikes/ Russian pensioners dying in queues for fuel (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/17/russian-pensioners-dying-queues-fuel/ Video shows bomb attack on Ukrainian tycoon in Monaco (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/18/video-bomb-attack-ukrainian-tycoon-monaco/ FIFA risks prosecution over World Cup payments to Russian clubs (Follow The Money):https://www.ftm.eu/articles/fifa-world-cup-sanctions-payments-russian-clubs Russia Plans to Mobilize 500,000 Personnel by Autumn, Prepares for New Fronts (Kyiv Post):kyivpost.com/post/80585 More from Michael Bohnert on Patriot Missiles:https://x.com/mbohnert/status/2079146203795890363 EMAIL US:Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.HIGHLIGHTS: Putin unleashes largest ballistic missile attack of the war Ukraine strikes warehouses of ‘Russian Amazon’ in revenge strikes

Day 1,603. Today, as Ukraine reels from the dismissal of its popular Defence Minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, we examine the speculation surrounding his sudden departure, and reveal details of his new successor. We also bring you the latest on Ukraine’s extraordinary campaign in the naval theatre, where more than 100 Russian vessels have been struck in little over a week, before our regular segment on the occupied territories. Finally, with British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer – one of Ukraine’s strongest international supporters – leaving office on Monday, we assess what his successor, Andy Burnham, will mean for the war.Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.Dr Jade McGlynn (Centre for Statecraft and National Security, King’s College London)Lilian Fawcett (Senior Producer on Ukraine: The Latest)Producer: Rachel PorterSenior Producer: Lilian FawcettVideo Producer: Sophie O’SullivanSocial Producer: Tom SteedStudio Director: Meghan SearleExecutive Editor: Francis DearnleyCreated by David KnowlesNOW 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:Jade’s Project – ‘TOT Insights’ (Ukraine’s Temporarily Occupied Territories):https://totinsights.org/ Ukraine turns Sea of Azov into graveyard for Russian ships (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/17/ukraine-turns-sea-of-azov-into-graveyard-for-russian-ships/The sacking that turned Ukrainians against Zelensky (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/16/protests-erupt-zelensky-fires-defence-minister-fedorov/Why Zelensky has fired the man beating Russia (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/07/16/why-zelensky-fired-mykhailo-fedorov/ Starmer tells Zelensky: You have Britain’s ‘cast-iron’ support (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2026/07/16/keir-starmer-heads-to-ukraine-volodymyr-zelensky-burnham/Russia Strips Arctic Air Defenses As Ukraine War Strains Military (Radio Liberty):https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-air-defense-removal-arctic-satellite-photos-ukraine-war/33803628.html EMAIL US:Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.HIGHLIGHTS:Spy chief named Ukraine's new defence minister amid Fedorov sacking fallout 12 Russian shadow fleet ships hit in single day

Day 1,602.Following President Zelensky’s seismic sacking of 35-year-old Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov – a popular, dynamic moderniser in the government – we bring you the reaction on the streets of Kyiv, where protests have broken out. Reports suggest it was irreconcilable differences with commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi that ultimately got Fedorov dismissed – but also that his personal political ambitions had Zelensky worried. Is this the president’s biggest political miscalculation since his move against the country’s anti-corruption bodies in 2025? Then, we have the latest Ukrainian strikes on Russian ships in the Black Sea. Finally Adelie learns about the remarkably brave women who have become the backbone of the resistance movement in the occupied territories.Contributors:Roland Oliphant (Chief Foreign Analyst). @RolandOliphant on X.Alex Nichol (Telegraph Journalist).Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.Producer: Phil AtkinsSenior Producer: Lilian FawcettVideo Producer: Sophie O’SullivanSocial Producer: Tom SteedStudio Director: Meghan SearleExecutive Editor: Francis DearnleyCreated by David KnowlesNOW 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:Protests erupt after Zelensky fires popular defence minister (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/16/protests-erupt-zelensky-fires-defence-minister-fedorov/ Zelensky rejected push to fire Syrskyi as commander-in-chief, Fedorov reveals (Kyiv Independent):https://kyivindependent.com/fedorov-admits-trying-to-replace-syrskyi-before-his-dismissal-as-defense-minister/ Russia's Engels air base reportedly struck in Ukrainian drone attack (Kyiv Independent):https://kyivindependent.com/russias-engels-air-base-reportedly-struck-in-ukrainian-drone-attack/The Warrior-Witches of Ukraine’s Resistance (Ken Harbaugh in The Atlantic):https://www.theatlantic.com/international/2026/06/underground-intelligence-network-russia-ukraine/687578/EMAIL US:Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.HIGHLIGHTS:Protests sweep Ukraine Zelensky sacks 'modernising' defence minister Fedorov

Day 1,601.As Ukraine expands its campaign in the Black Sea, tightening Kyiv’s stranglehold on occupied Crimea, Dom reports on the fifth consecutive day of combined missile and drone attacks on the southern Odesa region, as civilians continue to bear the brunt of the bombardment. Then Francis turned to the latest political developments shaping the war, including fresh manoeuvring in Hungary. And later, they are joined by Adelie to answer your questions on the Kerch bridge, the impact of fuel shortages for the Russian harvest, and European preparedness for the kind of aerial bombardments Ukraine suffers daily.Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.Producer: Phil AtkinsSenior Producer: Lilian FawcettVideo Producer: Sophie O’SullivanSocial Producer: Tom SteedStudio Director: Meghan SearleExecutive Editor: Francis DearnleyCreated by David KnowlesNOW 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:Unmanned Systems Forces Online Killboard: https://sbs-group.army/en/ ‘THE PINK FLAME OF THE TUZLY LAGOONS’ (Birding in Ukraine):https://www.birdinginukraine.com/blog/the-pink-flame-of-the-tuzly-lagoonsExclusive: Lockheed Martin supports granting Ukraine Patriot missile licenses, official says (Kyiv Independent):https://kyivindependent.com/lockheed-martin-supports-granting-ukraine-patriot-missile-licenses/ EMAIL US:Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.HIGHLIGHTS:Drone 'downs' Russian Mi-28 helicopter'Moscow will fall through Crimea': Ukraine's new campaign

Day 1,600.In Paris, the Coalition of the Willing announces a new joint anti-missile defence system to ensure Ukraine’s winter supply of Patriots before attending the military parade on Bastille Day. Dom reports on the latest Russian oil refinery strike by Ukraine and Adelie has the latest on Ukraine’s cabinet reshuffle. Later, they hear from Berlin correspondent James Rothwell after his exclusive interview with the AfD’s defence chief – who claims a Russian attack on Germany is “completely unrealistic”.Contributors:Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.James Rothwell (Berlin Correspondent). @JamesERothwell on X.Producer: Phil AtkinsSenior Producer: Lilian FawcettVideo Producer: Sophie O’SullivanSocial Producer: Tom SteedStudio Director: Meghan SearleExecutive Editor: Francis DearnleyCreated by David KnowlesNOW 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:Power Outages Hit Sevastopol as Russia Declares ‘Special Regime’ After Reported Ukrainian Attack (Kyiv Post)https://www.kyivpost.com/post/80213 Commander of Ukraine's 155th brigade detained in kidnapping, murder case (Kyiv Independent)https://kyivindependent.com/commander-of-ukraines-155th-brigade-detained-in-kidnapping-murder-case/Luftwaffe chief warns Europe has ‘no time’ to counter Putin without US weapons (Politico)https://www.politico.eu/article/europe-isnt-ready-replace-us-weapons-german-air-chief-warns/London Playbook: ‘Endings and beginnings’ (Politico)https://www.politico.eu/newsletter/london-playbook/endings-and-beginnings/Ukraine's parliament dismisses prime minister, paving way for government reshuffle (Kyiv Independent)https://kyivindependent.com/ukraines-parliament-dismisses-prime-minister-paving-way-for-government-reshuffle/Zelensky eyes replacing Defense Minister Fedorov, source says (Kyiv Independent)https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-eyes-replacing-defense-minister-fedorov-source-says/Why the AfD is not scared of World War Three (James Rothwell for The Telegraph)https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/10/why-afd-not-scared-third-world-war/How Putin Turned Japan Into a Den of Spies (New York Times)https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/12/world/asia/russia-spies-japan-war-drones-electronics.htmlEMAIL US:Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.HIGHLIGHTS:Russian recruits run dry, Ukrainian intelligence reportsParis holds biggest Bastille Day parade since WWII

Day 1,599.After a weekend that took the tally of oil exporting Russian ships hit by drones in the Sea of Azov to over 100, Dom reports how Ukraine has trialled an autonomous amphibious assault into Russian-held territory. Meanwhile Ukraine strikes another oil refinery, as fights break out over Russian fuel shortages. Adelie examines the first-ever joint EU-UK sanctions against the Russian cyber-war complex and asks what direction President Zelensky is heading in with his latest cabinet reshuffle. Dom looks at the latest United Nations response to the bombing of civilians and asks how they manage to condemn the killings in such strong terms, without once having to apportion blame. And later, he talks to US international affairs commentator Melinda Haring about the sudden death over the weekend of Senator Lindsay Graham and what the death of a leading Russia hawk means for Kyiv.Contributors:Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.With thanks to Melinda Haring, nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center.Producer: Rachel PorterSenior Producer: Lilian FawcettVideo Producer: Sophie O’SullivanSocial Producer: Tom SteedStudio Director: Meghan SearleExecutive Editor: Francis DearnleyCreated by David KnowlesNOW 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:Lindsey Graham, Republican Senator and Staunch Trump Ally, Dies at 71 (NYT)https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/12/us/politics/lindsey-graham-dead.htmlZelenskyy dismisses Ukraine’s prime minister in cabinet shake-up (FT)https://www.ft.com/content/db48418a-f906-4afd-86a2-1ab08004bd13?syn-25a6b1a6=1Beyond the Battlefield: Russia’s Information War Against Ukraine’s European Futurehttps://cpd.gov.ua/en/report/beyond-the-battlefield-russias-information-war-against-ukraines-european-future/EMAIL US:Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.HIGHLIGHTS:Ukraine hits 100 Russian tankers in Sea of AzovWhat Lindsey Graham’s death means for Kyiv

Day 1,596.Ukraine continues playing its game of Whack-A-Hole on the Kremlin's energy plants. Dom looks at technical developments on the battlefield, including the suggestion Ukrainian troops are now deliberately starting their assaults with next to no equipment, before turning to politics: with Tomahawks on their way to Europe and Marine Le Pen, possibly, on her way to the Elysee Palace. Adelie French-splains what a National Rally presidency could mean for European security and Ukraine. Finally, Adelie is joined by Alexander Browder, the 17-year-old who was sanctioned by the Kremlin for exposing a Russian-backed crypto laundering network.Contributors:Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.With thanks to Alexander Browder.Producer: Rachel PorterSenior Producer: Lilian FawcettVideo Producer: Sophie O’SullivanSocial Producer: Tom SteedStudio Director: Meghan SearleExecutive Editor: Francis DearnleyCreated by David KnowlesNOW 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: US fund to make 'big' investment in Ukraine's critical minerals this fall, economy minister says (Kyiv Independent)https://kyivindependent.com/exclusive-us-fund-to-make-big-investment-in-ukraines-critical-minerals-this-fall-economy-minister-says/Uefa drags its heels over action against Russia’s fake Ukrainian clubs (The Guardian)https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/27/uefa-action-russia-fake-ukrainian-clubs-shakhtar-donetsk#:~:text=The%20fake%20Shakhtar%2C%20who%20play,promoted%20to%20the%20third%20tier.Au RN, quinze ans d’affaires judiciaires sous l’ère Marine Le Pen (Le Monde)https://www.lemonde.fr/les-decodeurs/article/2026/07/07/au-rassemblement-national-quinze-ans-d-affaires-judiciaires-sous-l-ere-marine-le-pen_6721393_4355770.htmlFrench court clears way for Marine Le Pen to run for president but orders her to wear electronic tag (BBC)https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c70yk5xjyl1tNo longer Putin's friends but not for sure. What connects Le Pen's party with the Kremlin (European Pravda)https://www.eurointegration.com.ua/eng/articles/2025/09/17/7220329/Confronting the Illicit-Finance Hydra in Crypto Markets: Protecting Retail Investors and Disrupting Hostile Government Exploitation (Alexander Browder for Henry Jackson Society)https://henryjacksonsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/HJS-Crypto-Currency-Report-web-final.pdfEMAIL US:Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.Thumbnail image credit: X/@front_ukrainianHIGHLIGHTS:Ukraine smashes major Russian oil refineryUS sells Tomahawks to Germany

Day 1,595.Ukraine strikes yet more Russian shadow fleet tankers in the Black Sea, bringing their total to more than 30 in just four days. Adelie reports on how Kyiv’s latest strikes on oil facilities has President Putin feeling the mounting frustration of ordinary Russians. Then we hear from our correspondents in Ankara who reflect on “a Nato summit of two halves,” where Donald Trump’s bombastic remarks about Greenland and Spain gave way to discord and, apparently, love in the Turkish capital. Finally, Latvia’s foreign minister looks ahead to the next meeting of Nato countries.Contributors:Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.Sophie O’Sullivan (Telegraph journalist).Sophia Yan (Senior Foreign Correspondent). @Sophia_yan on X.Joe Barnes (Diplomatic Editor). @Barnes_Joe on X.Roland Oliphant (Chief Foreign Analyst). @RolandOliphant on X.Producer: Phil AtkinsSenior Producer: Lilian FawcettVideo Producer: Sophie O’SullivanSocial Producer: Tom SteedStudio Director: Meghan SearleExecutive Editor: Francis DearnleyCreated by David KnowlesNOW 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:North Korea Supplies Up to 40% of Russia's Artillery Shells, Ukrainian Intel Says (Kyiv Post)https://www.kyivpost.com/post/79862The Nato member powering Europe’s rearmament (Sophia Yan for The Telegraph)https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/09/how-turkey-became-new-pillar-european-defence/Ukraine has ‘two months before Putin escalates war’ (Joe Barnes and Sophia Yan for The Telegraph)https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/09/ukraine-has-two-months-end-war-or-face-massive-escalation/Listen to our sister podcast Iran: The Latest for updates on the conflict in the Middle Easthttps://linktr.ee/IranTheLatestEMAIL US:Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.HIGHLIGHTS:Ukraine strikes over 30 Russian tankers in four daysTrump gushes about “tremendous unity” at Nato summit