Ukraine: The Latest

Day 1,553.Today, in the aftermath of one of the most intense aerial assaults on Ukraine of the entire war, we report on fresh strikes against Russia’s Tuapse oil refinery – the site of the extraordinary “manmade volcano” that has become symbolic of Kyiv’s campaign against Moscow’s energy infrastructure. Antonia Langford joins us live from Kyiv after witnessing ballistic missile attacks on the capital firsthand. We also examine the shrinking number of countries contributing to the Czech-led ammunition initiative, which now supplies around half of Ukraine’s artillery ammunition, and assess Britain’s attempt to regain control of the political narrative after last week’s easing of sanctions on Russia by unveiling new measures targeting cryptocurrency networks accused of financing 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.Antonia Langford (Freelance Journalist in Kyiv). @Antonialford on X.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:Learn more about ‘Ukraine Focus’:https://ukrainefocus.org/ How a bombed-out café became a symbol of hope in Kyiv (Antonia Langford for The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/05/25/how-a-bombed-out-cafe-became-a-symbol-of-hope-in-kyiv/ UK sanctions crypto networks funding Putin’s war machine (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2026/05/26/uk-sanctions-crypto-networks-funding-putins-war-machine/ Does the "White Tiger" scene pose a new terrorist threat? (Der Speigel):https://www.spiegel.de/netzwelt/web/white-tiger-droht-aus-der-szene-eine-neue-terrorgefahr-a-2a91696d-9746-40c1-8c30-a189f1fa7c01 Donald Trump’s Board of Peace fund is empty (Financial Times):https://www.ft.com/content/5ba3bd2c-0e0e-4306-84be-99d6d89b0d49?syn-25a6b1a6=1 Nine countries pull out of Ukraine ammunition coalition (Financial Times):https://www.ft.com/content/f5dd7bd9-6da8-438b-bf80-1f942b91333d?syn-25a6b1a6=1 Zelensky’s top negotiator flies to Berlin for talks with Germany, France, UK (POLITICO):https://www.politico.eu/article/volodymyr-zelenskyy-top-negotiator-rustem-umerov-in-berlin-for-ukraine-peace-talks/ Exclusive: Zelensky sends Trump urgent letter warning of Ukraine's critical missile defense shortages (Kyiv Independent):https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-sends-trump-urgent-letter-warning-of-critical-missile-defense-shortages/ 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:Fresh strikes against Russia’s Tuapse oil refineryAntonia Langford joins us live from Kyiv

Day 1,552.Today, as Russia plays the victim, claiming its latest mass attack that killed and injured civilians over the weekend was a ‘retaliation’ for a Ukrainian attack, we ask who the audiences are for such cynical mischaracterisation. We report on Ukraine’s continued mid-range strike campaign that has forced Russia to limit traffic on the land corridor to Crimea and look at the upcoming NATO summit as the Secretary General says Britain, France and others have scuppered a proposal for allies to spend a quarter of one per cent of GDP on military aid for Ukraine. And later, we hear from our regular Russia expert about how there is speculation Putin is losing his power of speech.Contributors:Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.James Kilner (Russia Analyst). @Jkjourno on X.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:Putin burns through his best missiles in desperate Ukraine fightback (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/05/26/putin-burns-through-his-best-missiles-in-ukraine-fightback/ Britain rejects Nato plan for extra Ukraine military aid (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/05/24/britain-rejects-nato-plan-for-extra-ukraine-military-aid/ Putin’s mid-air hijackings turn Ukraine’s drones against Europe (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/05/22/putin-mid-air-hijackings-turn-ukraine-drones-against-europe/ Revealed: The secret suburban life of Britain’s greatest Cold War spy (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/05/26/revealed-the-secret-suburban-life-of-britains-greatest-cold/ 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:Russia burns through best missiles in ‘desperate’ Ukraine fightbackPutin 'losing power of speech'

Day 1,548.Today, as the US administration reveals details of its participation in Vladimir Putin’s flagship business and investment forum, Russia and Belarus conclude major nuclear exercises just as Ukraine continues its campaign of strikes against oil and gas infrastructure near Moscow. We also examine Kyiv’s latest act of political trolling: a “Refinery Advent Calendar” tracking how many Russian energy targets Ukrainian forces have hit this month alone. And later, Dom reflects on a day spent deep inside a secret section of the London Underground, where he interviewed a senior NATO commander who warns that while Russia’s forces may not be unbeatable, they are now far more battle-hardened, battle-tested, and lethal than they were at the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022.NOTE: Monday 25th is a Bank Holiday in the UK. Normal service will resume on Tuesday.Contributors:Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.With thanks to Lieutenant General Michael Richard Elviss, CB, MBE – commander of NATO’s Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC).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:Dom’s Video interview with top NATO commander in secret London base:https://youtu.be/vEKtKqMs-9E?si=Cp-3GOrW_dUcrLYGPutin’s attack on Hungarians in Ukraine marks new phase of war (Verity Bowman in The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/05/21/putins-attack-hungarians-new-phase-ukraine-war-russia/ Austrian ex-intelligence officer found guilty of Russia spying charges (BBC):https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwy21541dz4o 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:Exclusive: Inside NATO's secret base preparing for war with RussiaPutin loses 145,000 troops in 2026

Day 1,547.Today, we assess the reported scale of Russian military losses since 2026 and examine the new battlefield infiltration tactics Moscow has developed in an attempt to break through Ukrainian positions. We also take a closer look at the impact of Kyiv’s strikes on Russian oil refineries and investigate whether there is more behind London’s apparent easing of sanctions on Russian oil than meets the eye. Then we explore how Putin’s latest visit to Beijing is viewed in China, and ask whether the evolving relationship between Moscow and Beijing resembles a genuine strategic partnership – or something closer to vassalage. Finally, we hear from someone who was once a FOX News insider about moving to Ukraine and how we came to see the war differently from those in the MAGA movement.Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.Sophia Yan (Senior Foreign Correspondent). Sophia_yan on X.Alex Nichol (Telegraph Journalist).With thanks to Joseph Lindsley.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:The secret Chinese surveillance programme tracking people like me (Sophia Yan in The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/05/19/leaked-secret-chinese-surveillance-programme-tracks-foreign/ I’ve reported on war, but I’ve never seen it told like this (Francis’s fashion piece in The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/people/ukraine-fashion-show-london-war-francis-dearnley/ Russia abandons ‘meat-grinder’ tactics to try four-man ambushes (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/05/01/russia-abandons-meat-grinder-tactic-ukraine-war/ Exclusive: Russians covertly trained by China return to fight in Ukraine, sources say (Reuters):https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/russians-covertly-trained-by-china-return-fight-ukraine-sources-say-2026-05-19/Joseph Lindsley’s Substack, ‘Under Fire News’:https://underfirenews.substack.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:Russia abandons ‘meat-grinder’ tactics to try four-man ambushes ‘Staggering’ scale of Putin’s losses revealed

Day 1,546.Today, as the British government suggests their pledge to ‘stand with Ukraine as long as it takes’ should actually say ‘as long as it doesn’t upset my summer holiday’ we examine the reaction to London’s decision to relax some Russian sanctions. We report how Russian jets flew so close to an RAF aircraft over the Black Sea it triggered onboard emergency systems, and we look at how Vladimir Putin's trip to Beijing is being reported in Moscow. Plus, we take our regular look at how brilliantly the Russian economy is performing and talk about magic mushrooms in Armenia. Contributors:Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.Alexander Nichol (Telegraph Journalist).James Kilner (Russia Analyst). @JkJourno on X.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:PM’s sanctions U-turn ‘will fund killing of Ukrainian soldiers’ (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2026/05/20/starmer-eases-sanctions-on-russian-oil/ Xi and Putin: ‘Colonial’ world order has failed (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/05/20/xi-putin-beijing-meeting-russia-china/ 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 and Xi: ‘Colonial’ world order has failedBritish PM accused of ‘killing of Ukrainian soldiers’

Day 1,545.Today, after a NATO fighter jet shoots down a suspected Ukrainian drone over Estonia, we examine the mounting risks of escalation on NATO’s eastern flank and what the incident reveals about the increasingly crowded skies above the Baltic region. We also look at reports of a collapse in Russian defensive lines near a settlement in Zaporizhzhia as Ukraine presses its counterattacks in the south. Then we turn to Moscow to assess how the Kremlin and Russian state media are reporting – or not – news of Ukraine’s major strikes on Russian infrastructure ahead of Putin’s high-stakes visit to China. And later, we take a deep dive into how investigations into war crimes have evolved over the past four years.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.With thanks to Yevhenia Motorevska – head of the War Crimes Investigation Unit at the Kyiv Independent.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:The drone attacks Putin doesn’t want Russians to see (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/05/19/drone-attacks-putin-doesnt-want-russians-see-ukraine/ Xi Jinping told Donald Trump that Putin might ‘regret’ invasion of Ukraine (Financial Times):https://www.ft.com/content/567c57b0-6346-43e6-9d14-840a793b4d1d?syn-25a6b1a6=1 Dom’s Video On the Frontline:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-LWZtJBCwY From the Kyiv Independent’s War Crimes Investigation Unit: The War Before the War, Part I: https://kyivindependent.com/video/?slug=crimea-the-war-before-the-war-part-2From Stalin to Putin – Russia’s history of torture: https://youtu.be/p7Ei6mAf3mQExposing Russia’s indoctrination of Ukrainian children: https://youtu.be/RZGmv2EQdGkInvestigation: Uncovering the secret Russian FSB operation to loot Ukraine's museumshttps://kyivindependent.com/investigation-uncovering-fsbs-secret-operation-to-steal-ukraines-valuable-art/The Kyiv Independent doesn’t have a paywall or an owner and is supported by acommunity of readers who make this work possible. Starting today, the Kyiv Independent team is on a quest to find 4000 new members globally. You can become a member here. 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:Russian position 'collapses' in southeastern townThe drone attacks Putin ‘doesn't want you to see’

Day 1,544.Today, after Ukraine unleashes a sweeping wave of retaliatory strikes in response to last week’s Russian attacks – shutting down Moscow airports, damaging naval assets, and sending huge fireballs into the sky above Russian oil infrastructure – the Kremlin signals it may once again be open to peace talks, potentially even reopening channels with the European Union. We ask whether Moscow may also need urgent talks with Beijing after one of its Shahed drones reportedly struck a Chinese cargo ship just days before Vladimir Putin’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. We also hear from Berlin on how Europe is accelerating efforts to rearm in the face of growing Russian aggression and deepening American disengagement. And later, we speak to an adviser to the Ukrainian government about Kyiv’s mounting military recruitment crisis after intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov warned that voluntary enlistment alone can no longer meet the army’s needs.Contributors:Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.James Rothwell (Berlin Correspondent). @JamesERothwell on X.With thanks to Olesia Horiainova of the Ukrainian Security and Cooperation Center.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:Europe’s sleeping giant rearms (James Rothwell & Joe Barnes in The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/05/11/europes-sleeping-giant-rearms-germany-weapons-war-russia/ Putin gifted upper hand as Trump triggers European missile crisis (James Rothwell & Joe Barnes in The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/05/18/europes-deep-strike-dilemma-and-how-it-untangles-itself/ Ukraine launches biggest attack on Moscow in a year (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/05/17/ukraine-launches-biggest-attack-on-moscow-in-a-year/ Ukrainian drones destroy £30m Russian plane at airbase (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/05/16/ukrainian-drones-destroy-russian-aircraft-airbase/ 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:Russia ‘attacks Chinese ship’ in Black SeaUkraine hits Moscow in biggest strike of 2026

Day 1,541.Today, after the two days of near continuous strikes against Ukraine with over 1,600 drones and missiles fired on the country – with at least 12 killed by a single projectile – we hear the latest round of American withdrawals of thousands of troops from Europe, and a sobering assessment from experts at Chatham House about the direction of the war. Then we have an extraordinary exclusive interview with a Russian FSB agent who claims he fled Moscow in a dead cow.Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.Roland Oliphant (Chief Foreign Analyst). @RolandOliphant on X.Hayley Dixon (Special Correspondent). @HaylesDixon on X.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:‘Putin won’t last’: Russian agent who fled Moscow in a dead cow (The Telegraph):Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ng7-LI7VK8MLong Read: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/05/14/dmitry-senin-russia-fsb-escaped-putin-in-dead-cow/ Pentagon cancels deployment of thousands of troops to Europe (The Telegraph):https://kyivindependent.com/us-cancels-planned-deployment-of-4-000-troops-to-poland/?mc_cid=d10bd88d37&mc_eid=08d0680a95 Russia issues Ben Wallace with arrest warrant for ‘justifying terrorism’ (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/05/13/russia-ben-wallace-arrest-warrant-justifying-terrorism/ How a Ukrainian air assault on Russia led to the resignation of a Latvian prime minister (Kyiv Independent):https://kyivindependent.com/how-2-ukrainian-drones-sparked-political-turmoil-in-latvia/ 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:Exclusive: ‘Putin won’t last’ – Russian agent who fled Moscow in a dead cowZelensky’s ‘revenge’ attacks after three days of huge strikes

Day 1,540.Today, as Russia pummels Ukraine with over 1500 missiles and drones since yesterday, targeting civilians and energy infrastructure, Ukraine hits three energy facilities in Russia. We then focus on the issue of children who have been deported from Ukraine to Russia or to unknown locations in the occupied territories. The EU and UK announced further sanctions while the high-level meeting of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukraine Children on Monday in Brussels pledged funds and support towards tracing, tracking and returning children from Russia.Contributors:Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Co-host of Ukraine: The Latest). @adeliepjz on X. Johanna Baxter, Labour MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire South. @JohannaBaxter on X. Maksym Maksymov, director of Bring Kids Back. @BringKidsBackUA on X.CONTENT REFERENCED:Returning the Stolen Children of Ukraine, Johanna Baxter, UK Friends of Ukrainehttps://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/582a1916-4c98-42de-936a-f74780c73b02/downloads/6c23bef6-a43d-4acd-a781-3b749bb46174/Report_%20Returning%20the%20Stolen%20Children%20of%20Ukrai.pdf?ver=1750937088779Bringing Ukraine's kids back: Almost 60 countries unite to stop Russia's genocidal kidnapping of children (Kyiv Independent)https://kyivindependent.com/bringing-ukraines-kids-back-almost-60-countries-unite-to-stop-russias-genocidal-kidnapping-of-children/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:- 'Longest massive attack': Russia fires 2000 drones and missiles in 24 hours- 60 nations sign historic pledge to 'track down' 20,000 stolen kids