Ukraine: The Latest

Day 1,574.Today, as President Zelensky declares that “if Ukraine burns, so will Moscow”, we report on a wave of strikes inside Russia that have produced some of the most dramatic images of the war so far, with more than 1,000 drones sowing destruction across multiple regions. Then, after a prominent MAGA influencer admits she fell for Russian propaganda, we ask whether Putin’s continued attacks on religious and cultural sites in Ukraine may finally be seen for what they are by the Christian Right in the United States. And after the Russian president appears to answer criticism that he is isolated and afraid of meeting ordinary people, we take a closer look at footage of an apparently spontaneous walkabout that raised eyebrows when a security guard was overheard referring to “background actors”. Throughout the episode, we'll be joined by our friendly RAND analyst to help make sense of the latest military and technological developments shaping Russia’s war against Ukraine.Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.With thanks to RAND engineer Michael Bohnert.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:Moscow burns after Ukraine attacks Russia with 1,000 drones (The Telegraph)https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/18/ukraine-hits-moscow-oil-refinerylargest-attack-two-years/ Putin’s adoring crowd accidentally outed as ‘extras’ by bodyguard (The Telegraph)https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/18/putins-adoring-crowd-accidentally-outed-as-extras-bodyguard/ Almost 70% of Ukrainians expect Zelensky to be replaced after war, poll shows (Kyiv Independent)https://kyivindependent.com/almost-70-of-ukrainians-expect-zelensky-to-be-replaced-after-the-war-poll-shows/?mc_cid=d2d0ed0168&mc_eid=08d0680a95 Belarus' Lukashenko says both sides must compromise to end Russia-Ukraine war (Reuters):https://www.reuters.com/world/belarus-lukashenko-says-both-sides-must-compromise-end-russia-ukraine-war-2026-06-16/ 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 blitzes Moscow with 1,000 dronesConsidered the ‘biggest attack of war’ 

Day 1,573.Today, after a Russian warship fires warning shots at an unarmed vessel in the English Channel, we take you to the G7 Summit, where observers are describing a “turning point” in perceptions of Ukraine’s progress in the war, as it continues to batter Russian infrastructure and strangle Crimea. We hear live from the ground about what has been unlocked for Kyiv, and later – in our regular segment on life inside Russia – we ask why Vladimir Putin may (or may not) be cracking down on organised crime at a time when public dissatisfaction is reportedly growing and his popularity plummeting.Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.Joe Barnes (Diplomatic Editor). @Barnes_Joe on X.James Kilner (Russia Analyst). @Jkjourno on X.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: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:Give us Patriot blueprints so we can make our own, Zelensky tells Trump (Joe Barnes The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/16/zelensky-patriot-blueprints-trump/ Russian warship fires shots at yacht in Channel (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/06/16/russian-warship-fired-warning-shot-at-yacht-in-channel/ Warning shots should be a last resort. This is a dangerous escalation (Dom Nicholls in The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/06/16/russian-warning-shots-channel-dangerous-escalation/ Anti-Putin artist shot dead in Poland car park ‘execution’ (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/16/anti-putin-artist-shot-dead-in-poland-car-park-execution/ Sending fuel trucks up in flames, Ukraine tries to cut off Crimea (New York Times):ttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/17/world/europe/russia-ukraine-crimea-fuel-shortages.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:Russian warship fires shots at boat in English Channel Putin 'hiding in bunkers' as popularity plummets

Day 1,572.Today, as Donald Trump tells the G7 summit that “Russia should make a deal”, we examine what this apparent shift in tone from the US president could mean for Ukraine, and what President Volodymyr Zelensky can realistically hope to achieve from this crucial gathering – perhaps even a face-to-face meeting with Vladimir Putin. We also ask how Ukrainian drones continue to penetrate Moscow’s formidable air defences, after another strike reportedly hit a Russian oil refinery and disrupted operations at airports across the capital. We report on allegations that a Russian diplomat was involved in an arson attack targeting the home of Britain’s Prime Minister, and later speak to the independent journalist leading an investigation into an Irish manufacturing plant accused of supplying components that may be helping to sustain Putin’s war machine.Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.With thanks to Caolan Robertson. @CaolanReports 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:Our sister podcast Iran: The Latest:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/iran--the-latest/G7 Live Blog:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/16/g7-summit-latest-news-trump-ukraine-iran-war-peace-deal/Russian diplomat ‘linked to Starmer firebomb attack’ (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/06/15/russia-firebombers-verdict-london-ukraine-keir-starmer/ Britain to supply Ukraine with more nuclear fuel (The Telegraph)https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/15/britain-to-supply-ukraine-with-more-nuclear-fuel/ 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:Trump tells Putin to ‘make a deal’ at G7'Revenge strike' as Kyiv hits major Moscow oil refinery

Day 1,571.In what could prove one of the most consequential weeks of the year for international diplomacy, Francis and Dom assess what a ceasefire in Iran might mean for the war – and whether it could help unlock a pathway towards peace after another bloody weekend in which a Russian attack left one of Kyiv’s most historic cathedrals in flames. They also examine the significance of British Royal Marines boarding and seizing a Russian shadow fleet tanker, and report the latest on Ukraine’s EU negotiations as formal accession talks kick off today. Finally, Dom considers the sweeping military reforms now being undertaken by Kyiv that could have profound consequences for Ukraine’s armed forces and those fighting on the frontline.Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.Producer: Rachel PorterSenior Producer: Lilian FawcettVideo Producer: Sophie O’SullivanSocial Producer: Tom SteedStudio Director: James EnglandExecutive 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:Our sister podcast Iran: The Latest: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/iran--the-latest/Trump negotiators to visit Moscow after birthday call with Putin (The Telegraph)https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/14/iran-ukraine-g7-witkoff-kushner-russia/ Russia bombs historic Kyiv cathedral (The Telegraph)https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/15/russia-bombs-kyiv-cathedral/ Royal Marines seize Russian shadow fleet tanker in Channel (The Telegraph)https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/06/14/british-armed-forces-russian-oil-tanker-english-channel/ Inside six-hour mission to storm Putin’s shadow oil tanker (The Telegraph)https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/06/14/inside-six-hour-mission-to-storm-russias-shadow-oil-tanker/ EU countries weigh ‘tearing apart’ bloc’s diplomatic service (Financial Times)https://www.ft.com/content/a7278d93-98fc-4fa7-a14c-d0c089b693dd?syn-25a6b1a6=1 Russian MP warns Putin: We’re on the brink of social collapse (Antonia Langford for the Telegraph)https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/13/russian-mp-warns-putin-were-on-the-brink-of-social-collapse/ It Was Meant to Unify. Now the G7 Is Dogged by Chaos and Divided by Trump (New York Times)https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/14/world/europe/g7-summit-evian-trump.html Donald Trump stages show of political domination with UFC bout on White House lawn (Financial Times)https://www.ft.com/content/11f71770-5872-4769-9ea5-a21f12151e10?syn-25a6b1a6=1 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:'Barbarism' as Moscow bombs historic Kyiv cathedralBritish commandos seize Russian shadow fleet ship

Day 1,568.As Putin marks Russia Day by handing out state prizes, including to a former human rights commissioner who’s been sanctioned for gross human rights violations, Ukraine chose to celebrate the big day by launching attacks across Russia. Dom reports how repeated Ukrainian strikes have reduced traffic along the critical supply corridor to Crimea by nearly three quarters, and looks at the latest European diplomatic overtures to the Kremlin. Later, Adelie interviews two charities that rescue animals from the frontline.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:Yuriy Tokarski, CEO of U-Hearts Foundation and Yaryna Vintoniuk and Yuliana Symchych of Animal Rescue Kharkiv.Senior 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:Exclusive: Ukraine's drone commander wants to cut Crimea off from Russia (Reuters)https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraines-drone-commander-wants-cut-crimea-off-russia-2026-06-11/ Learn more about Animal Rescue Kharkiv:https://youtube.com/@animalrescuekharkiv?si=eXf93VmXprnAGoMbhttps://www.facebook.com/spt.kh/https://www.instagram.com/animal.rescue.kharkiv.enhttps://www.animalrescuekharkiv.org/Learn more about U-Hearts Foundation:https://u-hearts.com/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:Ukraine wipes out 'critical' supply route on Russia's national day50 Russian military trucks also destroyed

Day 1,567.As Ukraine intensifies its campaign against Crimea by striking key bridges and transport links in an effort to isolate the peninsula, we examine potentially seismic political developments in London. Britain’s Defence Secretary John Healey – one of Kyiv’s strongest allies and a leading advocate for military rearmament – has dramatically resigned in protest over defence spending and the country’s preparedness for a future conflict, triggering a crisis that could topple the Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Francis and Dom comb through Healey’s damning resignation letter and consider how Kyiv will react to the news. Later, Francis explores a major new report on the risks of a sudden ceasefire in Ukraine with some of the world’s leading experts.Thumbnail image shows Crimean bridge ablaze in 2022.Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.With thanks to:Orysia Lutsevych OBE (head of the Ukraine Forum, Chatham House)Simon Smith (chair of the steering committee, Ukraine Forum, Chatham House, and British ambassador 2012 to 2015)Keir Giles (senior consulting fellow, Russia and Eurasia Programme, Chatham House, and author Who Will Defend Europe?)John Lough (associate fellow, Chatham House, and head of foreign policy, New Eurasian Strategies Centre)Producer: Phil AtkinsSenior 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:John Healey resigns over Starmer’s defence spending plan (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2026/06/11/john-healey-resigns-as-defence-secretary-labour-starmer/ Russia is creating launch sites for combat drones near the borders of Belarus. We show you where (Radio Liberty, in Belarusian):https://www.svaboda.org/a/33777451.html How a Russia–Ukraine ceasefire could imperil Ukrainian and European security (Chatham House):https://www.chathamhouse.org/2026/05/how-russia-ukraine-ceasefire-could-imperil-ukrainian-and-european-securityEMAIL 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:Putin arms up summer palace as Ukraine deep strikes tear through Russian defencesIs the election of a pro-Europe party in Armenia actually a win for Putin?

Day 1,566.As Putin installs yet more anti-drone defences around his mistress’ lakeside retreat north west of Moscow, Ukraine shows there are still glaring holes in the Russian air defence network with deep strikes on oil refineries and weapons factories elsewhere across the country. The main bridge linking to occupied Crimea from Kherson oblast has been hit again, this time reportedly closing it completely, leaving Russian authorities – in the words of one Ukrainian official – ‘trying to conceal the situation’ now in Crimea. And later, after Sunday’s election of western-leaning Nikol Pashinyan in Armenia, Dom speaks to Russia and Caucasus analyst James Kilner to ask how significant the result is, and why Mr Pashinyan may actually be left feeling slightly deflated.Contributors:Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.James Kilner (Russia Analyst). @Jkjourno on X.Senior 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  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:Putin arms up summer palace as Ukraine deep strikes tear through Russian defencesIs the election of a pro-Europe party in Armenia actually a win for Putin?

Day 1,565.As Russian forces reportedly withdraw from part of the southern Ukrainian frontline amid mounting supply problems, Francis and Dom examine claims that logistics networks in the sector are approaching breaking point. Dom reports on a huge explosion in Russia’s Belgorod region and a car bomb in Moscow Oblast, as the war’s effects continue to be felt far beyond the battlefield. Then they assess the EU’s proposed 21st sanctions package, including plans to ban Russian military personnel from entering the bloc, and consider what a two-tier Europe – allowing some countries affiliate membership without full participation in all EU structures – would mean. Later, Ruben Stewart of the International Institute for Strategic Studies explores what a war between NATO and Russia might look like if the US were to withdraw from the alliance.Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.With thanks to Ruben Stewart, Senior Fellow for Land Warfare at the International Institute for Strategic Studies.Producer: Phil AtkinsSenior 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:Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, June 8, 2026 (Institute for the Study of War)https://understandingwar.org/research/russia-ukraine/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-june-8-2026/The Ukrainian weapons boom catching Putin off guard (Verity Bowman for The Telegraph)https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/09/ukrainian-weapons-boom-catching-putin-off-guard/ Zelensky invites King to Ukraine for state visit (Ruby Cline for The Telegraph)https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/09/ukrainian-president-zelensky-state-visit-king-charles/ Read the Irish Times’ coverage of the Aughinish Alumina story: https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/aughinish-alumina/ Berlin declares Franco-German fighter jet project dead in blow to Macron (Politico)https://www.politico.eu/article/berlin-declares-france-germany-next-gen-fighter-jet-project-dead/ Prosecute Orbán’s inner circle over ‘stolen’ billions, Hungary’s anti-corruption watchdog says (Politico)https://www.politico.eu/article/hungary-watchdog-urges-probe-viktor-orban-officials-over-missing-eu-funds/ EU quota system ‘could kill Ukrainian steel industry’, boss says (The Guardian)https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/jun/09/eu-quota-ukrainian-steel-industry-metinvest Ukrainian Drones Now Autonomously Down Shaheds (Kyiv Post)https://www.kyivpost.com/post/77764 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:Putin's troops abandon positions as supply lines 'at breaking point' Russian commander 'assassinated by car bomb'

Day 1,564.After Vladimir Putin rejects President Zelensky’s offer in his letter last week of face to face talks, claiming he doesn’t need a ceasefire as he’s on the verge of victory – plot spoiler, he does and he isn’t – the political momentum in support of Kyiv continues, with the leaders of Ukraine, France and Germany in London for talks hosted by Britain’s Prime Minister. Then Putin suffers another blow with a victory for the west-leaning incumbent leader in Armenia’s election and there are more attacks on Putin’s home city of St Petersburg, his beloved Sochi, and on one of the main bridges to Crimea.Contributors:Dom Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.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  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:Ukraine strikes Putin's hometown St Petersburg – againAnd blows up key bridge to occupied Crimea