Ukraine: The Latest

Day 1,352.Today, as more and more Russian forces flow into Pokrovsk, Ukrainian soldiers manage to fly a Ukraine flag on the city council’s building. Ukraine also scrambles to put together a new budget for next year, while Zelensky faces harsh criticism after the announcement of relief packages ahead of winter. We hear reports of how Russia is sending disabled men to fight and wonder if the cannon fodder strategy is reaching an end.ContributorsAdélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist and Producer). @adeliepjz on X.Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Verity Bowman (Journalist). @VerityBowman on X.With thanks to Albina Kovalyova.SIGN UP TO THE ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter  Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers.CONTENT REFERENCED:Kharkiv War Diaries: Stories from a City on the Edgehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlrrWx3hBekKharkiv: Love in a War Zonehttps://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3ct82kyOccupied, 2022https://www.albinakovalyova.com/work/documentary/'Catastrophic populism:' Critics push back against Zelensky's winter support package for Ukrainianshttps://kyivindependent.com/catastrophic-populism-critics-push-back-against-zelenskys-winter-support-package-for-ukrainians/?mc_cid=1d6cb51478&mc_eid=4a5b852913Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

Day 1,351.Today, as reports from Pokrovsk indicate Russian troops now hold positions across nearly the entire city, prosecutors in Kharkiv launch a new war crimes investigation after footage emerged of an alleged Russian FPV drone strike on two civilians carrying a white flag near Kharkiv. We also examine today’s Joint Expeditionary Force meeting in Norway – asking whether it’s wise for the group to brand itself as “NATO’s first responders” – before doing a deep dive into recent cases of Ukrainian and Russian spycraft. Later, we speak with the commander of a Ukrainian drone unit who helped destroy Russian forces following the so-called “breakthrough” in Dobropillya.ContributorsDominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.With thanks to Dimko Zhluktenko.SIGN UP TO THE ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter  Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers.CONTENT REFERENCED:Learn more about Dimko’s charity, Dzyga’s Paw:https://dzygaspaw.com/ Dom’s story on MI5 chief’s warnings (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/10/16/sir-ken-mccallum-mi5-china-spy-scandal-national-security/ The Ukrainian double-agent playing Russia at its own game (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/11/01/ukraine-russia-war-double-agent-security-services/ A champion like no other: The curious life of a Unit 29155 operative (The Insider):https://theins.ru/en/inv/286477 Russia moves to year-round conscription from 2026 (Kyiv Independent):https://kyivindependent.com/putin-signs-law-allowing-year-round-conscription-in-russia/?mc_cid=fb29c7d440&mc_eid=08d0680a95 Is there a risk of encirclement in Pokrovsk and what awaits Myrnohrad? Soldiers explain (Hromadske):https://hromadske.ua/en/war/254005-ti-khto-v-pokrovsku-na-peredovykh-pozytsiiakh-vze-v-pryntsypi-v-otochenni-z-iakoho-malo-shansiv-vyyty Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

Day 1,350.Today, as fierce fighting continues around Pokrovsk and Ukrainian forces strike energy facilities inside Russia, we report on a surge in American surveillance flights over the Black Sea – coinciding with the arrival of Washington’s Ambassador to NATO in Kyiv. We also examine Ukraine’s claim to have hit an elite Russian special forces unit stationed on a Black Sea oil platform, and speak with sanctions expert Stephanie Baker, who explains why Donald Trump’s sanctions on Russian oil giants Lukoil and Rosneft are so significant.ContributorsDominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.With thanks to Stephanie Baker (Senior Writer at Bloomberg). @StephaniBaker on X.SIGN UP TO THE ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter  Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers.CONTENT REFERENCED:Stephanie Baker’s Book, ‘Punishing Putin: ‘The gripping expose of the global economic sanctions against Russia’s war in Ukraine’:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Punishing-Putin-gripping-economic-sanctions-ebook/dp/B0CWWFJ52GUkraine rescues camel used by Russian military (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/30/ukraine-rescues-camel-used-by-russian-military/ Ukraine ‘strikes elite Russian unit’ on Black Sea oil rig (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/11/03/ukraine-strikes-elite-russian-unit-on-black-sea-oil-rig/ Putin’s shadow fleet under threat as Trump tries to ‘terrify’ Russia’s allies (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/11/04/putins-shadow-fleet-runs-aground-against-us-sanctions/ Russian Oil Finds Fewer Takes in China After Hit From Sanctions (Bloomberg):https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-11-02/russian-oil-finds-fewer-takers-in-china-after-hit-from-sanctions Kramatorsk, Donetsk Oblast's iconic front-line rail stop, closed for 'indefinite period' (Kyiv Independent):https://kyivindependent.com/key-train-route-to-ukraines-east-has-been-reduced-for-an-indefinite-period-due-to-safety-concerns/ Intense US surveillance activity over the Black Sea (ItaMilRadar):https://www.itamilradar.com/2025/11/03/intense-us-surveillance-activity-over-the-black-sea/ Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

Day 1,349.Today, as reports emerge that General Budanov, head of Ukraine’s military intelligence, travelled to the embattled frontline city of Pokrovsk, we sit down with former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who led the alliance in the first years of the full-scale invasion. We also speak with Norwegian filmmaker Tommy Gulliksen about his powerful new documentary Facing War – which takes viewers inside the rooms where Stoltenberg and world leaders made pivotal decisions that shaped the course of the conflict.ContributorsFrancis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.With thanks to former NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg. @jensstoltenbergdocumentary on X.SIGN UP TO THE ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter  Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers.CONTENT REFERENCED:Learn more about ‘Facing War’ - new film about Jens Stoltenberg by Tommy Gulliksen:https://m.imdb.com/title/tt35671816/ Ukraine special forces launch helicopter raid to stop Russian encirclement (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/11/01/ukraine-special-forces-helicopter-assault-pokrovsk/ Draft dodger who jumped from moving train faces deportation to Russia (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/11/01/draft-dodger-who-jumped-moving-train-deportation-russia/ Russia deploys 170,000 troops in battle for Pokrovsk (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/31/russia-deploys-170000-troops-battle-pokrovsk/ ‘How to Negotiate with Putin’ by Robert Person (Journal of Democracy):https://www.journalofdemocracy.org/online-exclusive/how-to-negotiate-with-putin/ Zelensky Is Winning Trump Voters Over (Wall Street Journal):https://www.wsj.com/opinion/zelensky-is-winning-trump-voters-over-72d5f6c1?reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

Day 1,346.Today, as Ukrainian forces hang on in Pokrovsk, we discuss more reports coming out of the city of Russian troops fighting in civilian clothes – a clear war crime. Plus, we hear about Ukraine’s latest long range strikes inside Russia and look at a worrying message from the International Atomic Energy Agency that accuses Moscow of targeting three of Ukraine's nuclear power plants. Later, we hear how a Ukrainian opera lost for 250 years premiered earlier this month in Chernivtsi, accompanied by the sound of air alerts.Contributors:Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist and Producer). @adeliepjzon X.With thanks to Nataliya Lukyanova and James ButterwickSIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/  Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers.CONTENT REFERENCED:Russian soldiers disguised in civilian clothes infiltrating front-line city (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/08/13/russian-soldiers-disguised-civilian-clothing-infiltrating/Poland, Hungary and Slovakia defy Brussels as Ukraine trade deal takes effect (POLITICO)https://www.politico.eu/article/poland-hungary-and-slovakia-defy-brussels-as-ukraine-trade-deal-takes-effect/Trump-Vladimir Putin Budapest summit axed following Moscow memo (Financial Times):https://www.ft.com/content/d6655fb1-31af-4da8-85f7-085a8fc00969Hungary’s foot-dragging on Russian oil crashes into realityhttps://www.politico.eu/article/hungary-foot-dragging-russian-oil-crashes-reality-croatia-sanction/ LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST IN NEW LANGUAGES:The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them. Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatestSubscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

Day 1,345.Today, as Donald Trump and Xi Jinping meet in South Korea, we ask whether Ukraine can ever expect China to face real consequences for its support of Russia throughout the war. We also examine Vladimir Putin’s ongoing air campaign to cripple Ukraine’s energy infrastructure – including last night’s major assault – and bring you the latest stories from inside the Russian Federation, from renewed public protests to fresh signs of deepening economic stagnation.Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist and Producer). @adeliepjzon X.James Kilner (former Foreign Correspondent). @jkjourno on X.SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/  Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers.WATCH OUR SPECIAL LIVE EPISODEFrancis’s Interview with Serhii Plokhy on the nuclear arms race:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmcJqyD8eXsApple: https://shorturl.at/Hq3la Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7oSVN1czV0hqnvi0fAomea CONTENT REFERENCED:Trump orders Pentagon to ‘immediately’ start testing nuclear weapons (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2025/10/30/trump-nuclear-weapons-testing-russia-poseidon-drone/ Donald Trump claims victory after ‘amazing’ trade talks with Xi Jinping (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2025/10/30/trump-xi-meeting-south-korea-trade-war/ Geert Wilders’ Dutch PM hopes in tatters (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/29/geert-wilders-hopes-of-becoming-dutch-pm-in-tatters/ Exploding Shahed drone toys sold to Russian children (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/30/exploding-toy-replicas-of-drones-sold-to-children-russia/ Ukraine is bracing for the harshest winter since 2022 (Tomorrow’s Affairs):https://tomorrowsaffairs.com/ukraine-is-bracing-for-the-harshest-winter-since-2022 Red hands and pig heads: Russia’s plan to destabilize France goes on trial (POLITICO):https://www.politico.eu/article/red-hands-and-pig-heads-russias-plan-to-destabilize-france-goes-on-trial/

Day 1,344.Today, as the situation around the frontline city of Pokrovsk continues to worsen, we examine Ukraine’s latest wave of deep strikes targeting Russia’s military infrastructure. Then we turn to Brussels, where frustration mounts after European nations failed to agree on how to unlock frozen Russian assets to support Kyiv’s war effort. Then we hear about the motorway some believe could save NATO from Vladimir Putin’s aggression.Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.Joe Barnes (Brussels Correspondent). @Barnes_Joe on X.David Blair (Chief Foreign Affairs Commentator). @davidblairdt on X.WATCH OUR SPECIAL LIVE EPISODELink here: https://youtu.be/Mw_lWhp-flUQuestions from the audience are answered in the podcast version, below:Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/special-putin-could-strike-london-in-90-minutes-russias/id1612424182?i=1000733450202 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7DKehIQCz24eKK73xjP2e8 Content Referenced:Battle Lines: Global Health Security episode on bioweapons:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/terror-and-security/battle-lines-global-health-security-podcast/ The motorway that could save Nato from Putin’s aggression (David Blair in The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/10/27/motorway-save-nato-putin-aggression/ US to Remove Brigade From Romania, Sources Tell Kyiv Post (Kyiv Post):https://www.kyivpost.com/post/63159 U.S. intelligence agencies see no sign Russia is ready to compromise on Ukraine (NBC):https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/us-intelligence-agencies-see-no-sign-russia-ready-compromise-ukraine-rcna239645 A Russian Ka-52 helicopter shot down by "friendly fire” (The Insider):https://theins.ru/news/286277 

Day 1,343.Today, as the fierce battle for Pokrovsk rages on – with Russian troops now inside the city and 15 armoured vehicles destroyed on its outskirts – we report on the dramatic destruction of a dam in Russia that has cut off Moscow’s forces inside Ukraine. Later, we speak to one of the leading architects behind the Western initiative to seize $300 billion in frozen Russian state assets, exploring how close this unprecedented move is to becoming reality – and what it could mean for the future of the war.Contributors:Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist and Producer). @adeliepjz on X.Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.With thanks to campaigner, journalist and entrepreneur Hugo Dixon.WATCH OUR SPECIAL LIVE EPISODELink here: https://youtu.be/Mw_lWhp-flUQuestions from the audience are answered in the podcast version, below:Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/special-putin-could-strike-london-in-90-minutes-russias/id1612424182?i=1000733450202 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7DKehIQCz24eKK73xjP2e8 Content Referenced:Ukraine floods Russian troops in dam strike (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/27/russian-troops-cut-off-flooding-ukraine-hits-belgorod-dam/ Inside Ukraine’s fortress belt, where Nato doctrine no longer applies (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/27/trump-freeze-frontlines-trouble-ukraine/ Western drones are underwhelming on the Ukrainian battlefield (The Economist):https://www.economist.com/europe/2025/10/23/western-drones-are-underwhelming-on-the-ukrainian-battlefield Russian army committing murder in Ukraine: Independent rights commission (UN report):https://www.ohchr.org/en/hr-bodies/hrc/iicihr-ukraine/reports/report-independent-international-commission-inquiry-ukraine-un-general-assembly-a80497Kyiv wants to cash in on OnlyFans creators’ unpaid taxes. There’s just one problem: making porn is illegal in Ukraine (Meduza):https://meduza.io/en/feature/2025/10/08/turning-me-into-a-criminal Ukraine's OnlyFans Paradox: Tax the Sin, Punish the Sinner (Iuliia Mendel’s Substack):https://iuliiamendel.substack.com/p/ukraines-onlyfans-paradox-tax-the 

Day 1,342.Today, after a weekend of Russian bombardments on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities – with fires killing multiple civilians – we examine Moscow’s failed diplomatic bid to block Donald Trump’s latest sanctions on Russian energy. Then we consider how Vladimir Putin’s unveiling of a “next-generation” cruise missile reveals growing unease in the Kremlin. Later, we sit down with Ukrainian historian Serhii Plokhy, to discuss the Cold War arms race, and how Kyiv could have retained nuclear weapons after the collapse of the Soviet Union.Please note this episode features distressing recordings from the bombardment on Kyiv, including sounds of incoming drones.Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.With thanks to Ukrainian historian Serhii Plokhy. @SPlokhy on X.WATCH OUR SPECIAL LIVE EPISODELink here: https://youtu.be/Mw_lWhp-flUQuestions from the audience are answered in the podcast version, below:Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/special-putin-could-strike-london-in-90-minutes-russias/id1612424182?i=1000733450202 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7DKehIQCz24eKK73xjP2e8 LINKSSerhii Plokhy’s new book, ‘The Nuclear Age: An Epic Race for Arms, Power and Survival’:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nuclear-Age-Epic-Power-Survival/dp/0241582865 ‘Will I die?’ Moment nursery children rescued after Russian strike (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/25/will-i-die-moment-nursery-children-rescued-russian-strike/ Russia’s latest attempt to woo the US reeks of desperation (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/27/kirill-dmitriev-russia-donald-trump-marco-rubio-putin/ Russians circling around Trump to sway his mind, warns key ally (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/25/russians-circling-around-trump-to-sway-his-mind-key-ally/ At least 250 Russians in Pokrovsk, Ukrainian troops walk 10-15 km to reach positions (Ukrainska Pravda):https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/10/24/8004333/ Europe’s Plan B for Ukraine (POLITICO):https://www.politico.eu/newsletter/brussels-playbook/Europes-Plan-B-for-Ukraine/