Ukraine: The Latest

Day 1,616.A Russian cruise missile is believed to have landed in Poland overnight, just after President Zelensky and Polish prime minister Donald Tusk met to patch up a rumbling diplomatic spat. Meanwhile, inside Ukraine, former Minister of Defence Fedorov gives his first big interview since being sacked, saying there is 'resistance to change' in the defence ministry and laying out his vision to win the war. Finally, Dom, Adelie, and Francis read your best summer postcards and answer your questions.Contributors:Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.Producer: Tom SteedSenior Producer: Lilian FawcettVideo Producer: Sophie O’SullivanSocial Producer: Anita BlayStudio 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:‘Russian missile’ leaves crater in Poland (The Telegraph)https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/30/poland-explosion-russian-missile-attack/ Attacks on Ukrainians in Poland are rising. Disinformation fuels the flames (Kyiv Independent)https://kyivindependent.com/attacks-on-ukrainians-in-poland-are-rising-disinformation-fuels-the-flames/Watch the full interview with Mykhailo Fedorov (Ukrainska Pravda, in Ukrainian)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbjYc4-OuT0Russia importing sensitive UK, EU tech through India, data shows (Politico)https://www.politico.eu/article/russia-import-uk-eu-technology-india-data/Francis’s Interview with Michael Bohnert re. Patriot missile timescales:https://youtu.be/Fg_PmGkpJu4?si=Jf7HoU6anVj1JCQW 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:Russian missile leaves crater in PolandFedorov reveals all in first interview since sacking

Day 1,615.After Russia sees another night of Ukrainian drone strikes on a Wildberries warehouse and oil refinery attacks, Francis examines Kyiv’s campaign to disrupt Putin’s logistics and wartime economy. He also looks at encouraging developments in Washington, where Presidents Zelensky and Trump met ahead of the funeral of Senator Lindsey Graham, before Graham’s landmark bipartisan sanctions bill took a significant step forward in Congress. Then James Kilner has his regular Russia roundup, as rumours of a fresh mobilisation continue to circulate, before we explore the dramatic downfall of the powerful head of Russia’s international chess federation.Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.James Kilner (Russia Analyst). @Jkjourno on X.Malcolm Pein (Telegraph chess correspondent). @TelegraphChess on X.Senior Producer: Lilian FawcettVideo Producer: Sophie O’SullivanSocial Producer: Anita BlayStudio 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 explores support for Wildberries after Ukrainian drone attacks, sources say (Reuters)https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/russia-explores-support-wildberries-after-ukrainian-drone-attacks-sources-say-2026-07-28/Laura Loomer says she called Trump from Ukraine, plans to brief president on visit (Kyiv Independent)https://kyivindependent.com/laura-loomer-says-she-called-trump-from-ukraine-plans-to-brief-president-on-visit/ Kremlin Gambit: German FIDE presidential candidate Vadim Rosenstein continues to earn millions in Russia (Ukrainian Independent Information Agency of News, in Russian)https://sport.unian.net/othersports/kandidat-v-prezidenty-fide-vadim-rozenshteyn-prodolzhaet-vesti-biznes-v-rossii-13451784.html Russians Form Street Patrol to Shield Men From Forced Recruitment (Kyiv Post)https://www.kyivpost.com/post/81265 World chess chief faces endgame after EU announces Russia war sanctions (BBC)https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cewrk58k2k4o No contact with political prisoner Andrei Trofimov since April (Memorial)https://memopzk.org/en/news/no-contact-with-political-prisoner-andrei-trofimov-since-april/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 wipes out seventh Wildberries warehouse and major oil refineryUS senate advances key Russia sanctions bill

Day 1,614.As Ukraine strikes a target more than 1,300 kilometres from Kyiv, Francis and Alex Nichol assess the significance of President Zelensky’s visit to Washington for Lindsey Graham’s funeral and to meet with President Trump. It comes a day after Ukraine struck a tanker from Iran in the Caspian Sea, something the US president was asked about on Air Force One. Meanwhile, attention is focused on Congress as lawmakers prepare to decide the fate of the bipartisan sanctions bill, which would impose sweeping tariffs on countries continuing to buy Russian energy. Later, we take a deep dive into the Black Sea grain corridor, exploring why it’s returned to the centre of the war after recent attacks on merchant shipping, and what it means for global food security.Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.Alex Nichol (Telegraph Journalist).With thanks to Andrey Sizov, head of SovEcon grain consultancy (@sizov_andre on X).Producer: Tom SteedSenior Producer: Lilian FawcettVideo Producer: Sophie O’SullivanSocial Producer: Anita BlayStudio 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:Democrats ‘undermining US support for Ukraine’ (The Telegraph)https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/27/democrat-opponents-sanctioning-russia-act-undermine-ukraine/ Life of a Ukrainian draft dodger (Antonia Langford for The Telegraph)https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/28/ukraine-hunt-for-draft-dodgers-becomes-battle-on-the-street/ EU hesitates to target Irish plant accused of supplying Russia’s war industry (Financial Times)https://www.ft.com/content/ef7ff634-b738-4975-91b5-2edffc51da68?syn-25a6b1a6=1 The Sizov Reporthttp://sizov.reportWagner’s Remnants Are Running an Opioid Empire in the Center of Africa (Wall Street Journal)https://www.wsj.com/world/africa/russia-wagner-africa-opioid-trade-d015c4bc 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:Crimea 'without power' after deadly raidsZelensky meets Trump in Washington ahead of Lindsey Graham funeral

Day 1,613.As Putin is forced to cancel his annual Navy Day parade in St. Petersburg for the second year in a row – forced to stand by an image of a submarine instead – we report on another major weekend on the battlefield for both Russia and Ukraine, including a strike by Kyiv on an Iranian-linked tanker in the Caspian Sea. Meanwhile Volodymyr Zelensky is in London to meet with new British PM Andy Burnham for the first time, as the Ukrainian president warns of a new mobilisation drive by Moscow amid mounting Russian losses. Then we hear from the WELT offices in Germany about their wargame that caused such a stir, NATO’s Secretary General had to respond.Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.James Rothwell (Berlin Correspondent). @JamesERothwell on X.With thanks to Caroline Drüten, international security correspondent at WELT.Senior 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:‘Ernstfall: What if Russia Attacks NATO? Inside a German Wargame’ (WELT Podcast):Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/ernstfall-what-if-russia-attacks-nato-inside-a/id6785429115Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033GHuBrh6zwl1mq4TVeY6 https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/21/new-missile-at-centre-of-anglo-german-golden-age-of-defence/ Fabrice Deprez’s Substack describing Kramatorsk:https://eastradar.substack.com/p/the-long-war-60?triedRedirect=true Kazakhstan’s Tokayev Urges Putin to Freeze Ukraine War (Kyiv Post)https://www.kyivpost.com/post/81070 Kremlin Shrugs Off Reports of US-Ukraine Air Truce Plan, Says It’s ‘Too Early’ (Kyiv Post)https://www.kyivpost.com/post/81124 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:‘Humiliated’ Putin poses with fake submarine after navy parade cancelledUkraine strikes Iranian tanker in Caspian Sea

Day 1,610.Today, as Ukraine expands its long-range strike campaign with fresh attacks on Russian logistics hubs and warehouses – including targets in St Petersburg – we examine the growing economic cost to Moscow as Kyiv intensifies its effort to disrupt supply chains and undermine Russia’s war machine. We also explore why American political commentator and Donald Trump ally Laura Loomer has dramatically reversed her position on Ukraine after years of amplifying pro-Kremlin narratives, and what that shift could signal for Republican support for Kyiv. And later, Dom brings you an exclusive interview with Ukraine’s new Veterans Minister, recorded during a visit to Mykolaiv earlier this year.Contributors:Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.Alex Nichol (Telegraph Journalist).Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.With thanks to Vitali Kim, the new Veteran Affairs Minister of Ukraine, former frontline mayor of Mykolaiv.Producer: Rachel PorterSenior Producer: Lilian FawcettVideo Producer: James EnglandSocial 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:Why Russia’s Amazon became Ukraine’s number one target (The Telegraph)https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/24/why-russias-amazon-became-ukraines-number-one-target/ Inside Ukraine’s Kill Zone (Reuters):https://www.reuters.com/graphics/UKRAINE-CRISIS/KILL-ZONE/znpnojmknvl/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:St Petersburg burns as new ‘number one target’ revealed Dom tours a frontline city with its mayor

Day 1,609.Today, after Mykhailo Drapatyi is appointed Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, we examine the reaction from Russian soldiers and military commentators as Kyiv reshapes its wartime leadership. We also report on Ukraine’s continuing campaign of long-range strikes, with fresh attacks on a key Russian logistics hub and another strategically important oil refinery as Kyiv seeks to weaken Moscow’s war machine far behind the front lines. Then we assess how Russia’s war against Ukraine is reshaping global grain exports and food prices, before unpacking the European Union’s latest sanctions against Vladimir Putin’s regime, finally agreed after weeks of difficult negotiations.Contributors:Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.Alex Nichol (Telegraph Journalist).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:Yesterday’s Ukraine: The Latest, offering a deep dive into Kyiv’s new commander-in-chief:YouTube – https://youtu.be/xqBiyMPM4jo?si=p1rlhUOodgg781ck Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/ukraines-legendary-new-commander-takes-charge-after/id1612424182?i=1000777916224Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/episode/3CktsLADyTxmHVesqf6RxW?si=abe2835da3fc4782 Kremlin propagandist Xenia Fedorova escapes EU sanctions targeting Russian figures (Le Monde):https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2026/07/22/kremlin-propagandist-xenia-fedorova-escapes-eu-sanctions-targeting-russian-figures_6755722_4.html?srsltid=AfmBOopfQv9I8HMURwgR6Hkc7GNY7nqJuYDoS-YXXq1t3JMx29P71kMxFrom the Shannon to Siberia: How alumina from a Limerick refinery enters Russia’s weapons supply chain (The Irish Times)https://www.irishtimes.com/world/europe/2026/03/24/from-the-shannon-to-siberia-how-alumina-from-a-limerick-refinery-enters-russias-weapons-supply-chain/For more on Caolan Robertson’s investigation into the Auginish aluminium plant, Ukraine: The Latest June 16th episode: YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mimSeae4Nw&t=1492sApple podcast – https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/trump-tells-putin-to-make-a-deal-at-g7-revenge/id1612424182?i=1000772992491Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/episode/2XXCl4A8oZ871GwjvdXowYEMAIL 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: The European Union’s 21st sanction packageInterview with Kharkiv mayor Ihor Terekhov

Day 1,608.Today, in another historic day for the war, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi is replaced with one of the most famous generals in Ukraine: Mykhailo Drapatyi, a popular and innovative military leader with a remarkable backstory. We bring together a frontline Ukrainian drone pilot and two leading experts to hear what really happened in the past 72 hours, what this means for the conflict, and the likely strategy Kyiv will adopt as the war enters the next phase.Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.Dr Jade McGlynn (Centre for Statecraft and National Security, King's College London)Special thanks to Dr Jack Watling – Senior Research Fellow for Applied Military Sciences at the Royal United Services Institute – and Dimko Zhluktenko,  best known as a drone pilot in the 413th Regiment of the Unmanned Systems Forces.Producer: Alexis AdimoraSenior 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 

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