Day 1,523.
Today, after one of the deadliest bombardments Ukraine has endured this year, we hear of new Russian infiltration missions on the frontlines, how a masked Ukrainian soldier crashed a Zoom call at a Russian military recruitment event – telling students he would be forced to kill them if they joined the army – and more evidence that the US seeks to bring Moscow out of the cold by inviting them to the G20. Then we bring you a special update from the world of chess, and how names familiar to us – like Peskov and Shoigu – are involved in the Chess Federation, while the game is utilised as a tool of control in the occupied territories.
Contributors:
Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.
Malcolm Pein (Telegraph Chess Correspondent). @TelegraphChess on X.
With thanks to the former coach of two chess world champions – and a Grandmaster himself – Peter Heine Nielsen.
NOW 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:
Robot rescues Ukrainian pensioner from front-line village (The Telegraph):
I was in the room with Trump as the shots rang out (Connor Stringer in The Telegraph):
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2026/04/26/donald-trump-white-house-correspondents-dinner
Ukrainian soldier crashes Zoom call with Russian recruits (The Telegraph):
British fighter jets scrambled after Russian strike on Nato border (The Telegraph):
EMAIL US:
Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk . We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many on air and in our newsletter as possible.
HIGHLIGHTS: