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Kyiv denies plans to build a nuclear bomb & Challenger 2 tank 'destroyed' in Kursk
Day 996.
Today, as Russia's state TV propagandists and government officials express delight at the Donald Trump's cabinet selections, we ask how feasible it would be for Ukraine to develop its own nuclear weapon.
Contributors:
Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.
Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). @FrancisDearnley on X.
Hamish de Bretton-Gordon (Chemical Weapons Expert and Former Tank Commander). @HamishDBG on X.
Kamal Ahmed (Director of Audio and presenter of The Daily T Podcast). @kamalahmednews on X.
Content referenced:
Lord Hague's Comments on The Daily T (The Telegraph):
You can subscribe to The Daily T here:
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-daily-t/id1489612924
Could Zelensky use nuclear bombs? Ukraine’s options explained (The Times):
British Challenger 2 tank ‘destroyed in Kursk’ (The Telegraph):
Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest
Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk
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Strike on Russian gunpowder factory sparks massive explosion & Kremlin 'diplomats' break into UK Parliament
54:23|Day 1,059.Today, we cover Ukrainian hits on a Russian refinery and gunpowder plot, reports of North Korean suicide troops, and Russian diplomats infiltrating the UK parliament.Contributors:Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Narrative Podcast Producer). @adeliepjz on X.Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Content referenced: Politico on the (other) Donald and Starmer’s visit to POlandhttps://www.politico.eu/newsletter/london-playbook/keir-and-the-other-donald/Politico’s exclusive interview with Keir Starmer in Kyivhttps://www.politico.eu/article/america-europe-donald-trump-keir-starmer-ukraine-russia-peace-initiative/The Guardian on Russian diplomats breaking into UK Parliamenthttps://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/jan/16/russian-diplomats-accessed-private-area-of-uk-parliament-in-security-breachBBC on lack of convictions on Russian sanctionshttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdd994vl76qoAdélie’s Friday treat, a playlist from the French public radio on the best David Lynch music (for the many David-shaped holes in your lives)https://www.radiofrance.fr/fip/podcasts/fip-tape/hommage-a-david-lynch-1803519Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.ukMafia smuggles weapons from frontline to Russia & 100-year military pact signed
54:24|Day 1,058.Today, we follow Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s first official visit to Kyiv and the 100-year partnership deal he’s bringing with him. Plus we talk about a UN report that investigates alleged violations and abuses of human rights in the war against Ukraine by Russia.Contributors:Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Narrative Podcast Producer). @adeliepjz on X.Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Hamish de Bretton-Gordon (Chemical Weapons Expert and Former Tank Commander). @HamishDBG on X.Content referenced: UN Human Rights Council:https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements-and-speeches/2025/01/statement-pablo-de-greiff-commissioner-independent-internationalLive Blog on Zelensky in Kyiv:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/01/16/politics-latest-news-keir-starmer-ukraine-visit-zelensky/Bloomberg on Labour x Kyiv relations:https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-01-15/starmer-s-caution-on-ukraine-risks-loss-of-clout-ahead-of-trumpTelegraph on peacekeeping troopshttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/01/15/uk-france-talks-peacekeeping-troops-ukraine-war-russia/Kyiv Independent on 100-year partnership: https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-uk-sign-100-year-partnership-agreement/Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.ukUkraine strikes 1,000km deep in Russian rear & NATO jets scrambled as infrastructure hit
53:06|Day 1,057.Today, as the impact of Monday’s huge aerial strikes inside Russia becomes clearer, we report how the British government’s policy to allow Ukrainians to stay in the UK is starting to unravel, we talk with the producers of a new film showing how one veteran of the war has sought solace in the Carpathian Mountains, and we hear how Germany’s right-wing AfD party is complaining that they're being cyberbullied by a pack of cartoon dogs.Contributors:Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.Genevieve Holl-Allen (Political Reporter). @Genevieve_Holl on X.Learn more about Ukrainian Action:https://www.ukrainianaction.com Or you can contact: events@ukrainianaction.comContent referenced:Ukrainian refugees face losing their jobs over visa rules (Genevieve in The Telegraph) -https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/01/15/ukrainian-refugees-face-losing-jobs-over-visa-rules/What British boots on the ground would look like in Ukraine (Joe in The Telegraph) -https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/01/15/ukraine-british-army-troops-peacekeeping-force-training/US encounters European skepticism in last-ditch push to seize $300B in Russian assets for Ukraine leverage (CNN) -https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/14/politics/biden-russian-assets-ukraine-european-skepticism/index.htmlMedieval stone disks found in Ukraine could be Viking solar compasses (Archeology News)https://archaeologymag.com/2025/01/medieval-stone-disks-could-be-viking-compasses/Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.ukUkraine launches massive onslaught inside Russia & NATO 'boots on the ground': what would it mean?
57:08|Day 1,056.Today, we discuss one of the largest mass drone attacks of the war, as Ukraine sets sites in many territories across Russia ablaze, and then do a deep dive into what Western ‘boots on the ground’ as part of any peace settlement would actually mean in practice.Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Joe Barnes (Brussels Correspondent). @Barnes_Joe on X.Content Referenced:Dom's documentary: Ukraine's frontline city where Russia abandoned its dead | Kharkiv dispatchhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pN9pklQ6dpo&t=337sRussia to sign ‘comprehensive’ deal with Iran in tightening of new anti-West axis (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/01/13/russia-to-sign-deal-with-iran/Do Russians Really Support the War in Ukraine? (The New Yorker):https://www.newyorker.com/news/a-reporter-at-large/do-russians-really-support-the-war-in-ukraineSubscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.ukUkrainian special forces capture first North Koreans alive in Kursk - 'they would rather die than surrender'
46:48|Day 1,055Today, as Kyiv captures its first North Korean soldiers alive, we return to the pivotal question of the Russian economy's fragility and later speak to Ukrainian actors who have recreated their own experience of the war.Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist & Narrative Podcast Producer). @adeliepjz on X.Content Referenced:Ukraine captures North Korean troops and takes them to Kyiv for questioning (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/01/11/ukraine-captures-north-korean-troops-kyiv-questioning/North Korean diary reveals use of horrific tactic in Ukraine war (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/01/12/north-korean-diary-entry-horrific-tactic-ukraine-war-russia/Boris Johnson brands Vladimir Putin a ‘f------ idiot’ over imperial ambitions (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/01/11/boris-johnson-brands-vladimir-putin-idiot-russia-ukraine/British troops ‘should join post-war peacekeeping force in Ukraine’ (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/01/12/british-troops-post-war-peacekeeping-force-ukraine-defence/Russia’s Hidden War Debt (Craig Kennedy):https://navigatingrussia.substack.com/p/russias-hidden-war-debt?triedRedirect=trueBiden admin imposes harsh sanctions on Russian oil industry (CNN):https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/10/politics/biden-admin-russia-energy-sanctions-ukraine/index.htmlUS Companies Pay Over $1 Billion in Taxes to Russia Amid Ongoing Ukraine War (Newsweek):https://www.newsweek.com/us-companies-pay-over-1-billion-taxes-russia-amid-ongoing-ukraine-war-2012473Mariupol Drama in Manchester:https://homemcr.org/production/mariupol-drama/Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.ukDrone-armed Russian mercenary enters US illegally & US pledges $500 million to Ukraine
49:40|Day 1,052Today, as top diplomat Kaja Kallas claims the EU will be ready to step into the breach if the US withdraws support for Ukraine, we discuss the latest weapon donations at Ramstein and include a dispatch from Kyiv at a drone workshop.Contributors:Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist & narrative podcast producer). @adeliepjz on X.Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.Content Referenced:'Ukraine's Resilience' event co-hosted by Chatham House in Edinburgh:https://www.chathamhouse.org/events/all/research-event/maintaining-ukraines-resilienceDonald Trump pushes back Ukraine war deadline in sign of support for Kyiv (Financial Times):https://www.ft.com/content/989dc02e-2a13-4c21-8ad0-0b32e098c410Scholz blocks new billion-euro package for Ukraine (Der Spiegel):https://www.spiegel.de/politik/ukraine-krieg-olaf-scholz-blockiert-milliarden-paket-fuer-fuer-kiew-a-15318d4e-bc41-40e1-9a31-1d57409db2d5Exclusive—Chinese Patents Reveal Aim to Cut Undersea Cables (Newsweek):https://www.newsweek.com/china-conflict-undersea-cables-cutting-internet-data-subsea-marine-baltic-taiwan-2012396Exclusive: Border Patrol arrests former Russian mercenary near Roma (Valley Central):https://www.valleycentral.com/news/local-news/border-patrol-arrests-former-russian-mercenary-near-roma/Drone Workshop:For more information, see:https://klyn.io/Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.ukTrump to end war 'within 100 days' & Russian spies paid $200,000 per killed American in Afghanistan
57:42|Day 1,051.Today, in a significant day in both the military and political realms, we discuss Trump’s new plans to end the war within the next 100 days, reports that Moscow paid for American and coalition troops killed in Afghanistan, and hear live from Syria.Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Hamish de-Bretton Gordon (Chemical Weapons Expert and Former Tank Commander). @HamishDBG on X.Svitlana Morenets (Staff Writer at The Spectator). @SvMorenets on X.Content Referenced:How Russian military intelligence used the Taliban to bleed U.S. forces at the end of America’s longest war (The Insider):https://theins.ru/en/politics/277723Ukraine to help Moldova amid worsening energy crisis (Kyiv Independent):https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-to-help-moldova-amid-worsening-energy-crisis/?mc_cid=dfeb4a87a9&mc_eid=08d0680a95Russia closes Polish Consulate General in St. Petersburg (TVP):https://tvpworld.com/84418289/russia-closes-polish-consulate-general-in-st-petersburgSubscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.ukF-16 fighter jet in 'world first' shootdown & war-born superbug may spark next pandemic
58:38|Day 1,050.Today, as the new Ukrainian offensive in Kursk continues, we discuss the evolving picture in that region, look at the latest developments in unmanned aerial and land warfare, and fears superbugs spawned in war could spark the next pandemic.Contributors:Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.Arthur Scott Geddes (Deputy Global Health Editor). @ascottgeddes on X.Michael Bohnert (RAND Analyst). @mbohnert on X.Content Referenced:Trump's Ukraine envoy postpones Kyiv trip until after inauguration (Reuters):https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trumps-ukraine-envoy-postpones-kyiv-trip-until-after-inauguration-2025-01-06/'Putin doesn't want negotiations' - our interview with Zelensky's 'power broker' Andriy Yermak:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CneThrXUHSIUkraine needs more help to beat ‘superbugs’, says chief doctor (Arthur in The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/science-and-disease/ukraine-needs-more-help-to-beat-superbugs-says-chief-doctor/''I bought a drone and killed my boss" (Arthur in our sister podcast Battle Lines):https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/i-bought-a-drone-and-killed-my-boss-it-was-easy/id1712903296?i=1000681113262Could a Conflict-Borne Superbug Bring on Our Next Pandemic? (Rolling Stone)https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/war-zone-conflict-bacteria-pandemic-1235064261/Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk980,000 troops: Ukraine now 'largest army in Europe' & interview with ex-British Army chief
59:44|Day 1,049.Today, as Ukrainian forces continue to expand their lodgement inside Russia, we hear how a Ukrainian F-16 pilot shot down six Russian cruise missiles. We also have an interview with General The Lord Dannatt, former head of the British Army.Contributors:Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.With thanks to our guest General The Lord Dannatt, former head of the British Army.Episodes Referenced:David Knowles's 'Football in Wartime' Special:https://podcasts.apple.com/ee/podcast/football-in-wartime-with-david-knowles/id1612424182?i=1000681578909Interview with lady from occupied territories:https://podcasts.apple.com/ee/podcast/my-mother-in-law-remembers-stalingrad-this-war-is-worse/id1612424182?i=1000682245415Interview with beautician, now expert on ordnance (halfway through episode):https://podcasts.apple.com/ee/podcast/russia-shoots-down-passenger-jet-in-azerbaijan-putins/id1612424182?i=1000681865927Content Referenced:Sources of ISW’s cited geolocation of Ukrainian forces in Kursk Oblast:https://x.com/TuiteroMartin/status/1876291174476239032 ; https://x.com/moklasen/status/1876299075521519655; https://x.com/Map_Hargoo/status/1875993159869817022; https://t.me/motopatriot78/31123 ; https://t.me/rusich_army/19913Lord Dannatt's book on the Korean War is available for pre-order now:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Korea-War-Without-Richard-Dannatt/dp/1472869753Subscribe to The Telegraph: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk