Day 1,182.

Today, we continue dissecting the phone call between Putin and Trump and what it means for the prospect of negotiations. We discuss the latest Russian ‘Frankenstein’ missile and tactics on the ground, plus a dive into a report investigating Russian strikes on hotels near the frontline in an effort to target journalists. Finally we hear a dispatch from Sweden and interview with a Swedish chief of defence staff on the Russian threat on the Finnish border.

Contributors:

Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Reporter and Producer). @adeliepjz on X.

Dom Nicholls (Associate Editor for Defence). @DomNicholls on X.

Iona Cleave (Foreign Reporter). @cleaveiona on X.

Venetia Rainey (Co-host of the podcast 'Battle Lines'). @venetiarainey on X.

With thanks to Kenza Rharmaoui (Senior Researcher at Truth Hounds). @truth_hounds on X.

SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

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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:

Russia’s new ‘Frankenstein’ missile terrorising Ukraine, The Telegraph

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/05/13/russias-new-frankenstein-missile-terrorising-ukraine/

Russia’s motorbike squads may be suicidal but they are hurting Ukraine, The Telegraph

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/05/19/ukraine-war-are-russias-motorcycle-assaults-really-working/

Last Check-In: The Russian Strikes on Ukrainian Hotels Silencing the Press, Truth Hounds

https://truth-hounds.org/en/cases/last-check-in/

NOW AVAILABLE 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/ukrainethelatest

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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Day 1,181.

Today, just minutes after Presidents Putin and Trump spoke over the phone following the failed peace talks in Turkey last week, we react to the strategy being adopted by both sides: is Putin playing Trump like a fiddle? Then, later, we hear about the worst aerial bombardment Ukraine has experienced of the entire war, which took place not three years ago, but on Sunday.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Dom Nicholls (Associate Editor for Defence). @DomNicholls on X.

With thanks to Gabriellus Landberghis (Lithuania's former Minister of Foreign Affairs). @GLandsbergis on X.

SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

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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:

Putin: Russia is strong enough to end what we started in Ukraine (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/05/18/putin-russia-strong-enough-to-end-what-we-started-ukraine/

Pope Leo meets JD Vance after calling for peace in Ukraine (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/05/18/pope/

Germany drops opposition to nuclear power in rapprochement with France (Financial Times):

https://www.ft.com/content/e99efa2b-338a-4065-89c6-0683d5759ed7

NOW AVAILABLE 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/ukrainethelatest

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,178.

Today, as Ukraine and Russia hold their first direct negotiations in over three years today in Istanbul, we bring you live coverage from two major political and defence conferences in Europe, featuring key NATO and EU figures. How united is Europe in its stance on security and support for Ukraine? Plus, we speak with a former senior U.S. official to assess whether Donald Trump’s influence in American politics is beginning to fade, and hear about the new commander of Moscow’s ground forces: a man nicknamed ‘General Blood’.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Dom Nicholls (Associate Editor for Defence). @DomNicholls on X.

Joe Barnes (Brussels Correspondent). @Barnes_Joe on X.

With thanks to Professor Eliot Cohen (writer at the Atlantic, former counselor to the head of the US State Department). @EliotACohen 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.

Content Referenced:

Ukrainian and Russian delegations begin negotiations (The Telegraph Live Blog):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/05/16/russia-ukraine-peace-talks-zelensky-putin-war-latest-news/

Eliot A. Cohen’s Articles for The Atlantic:

https://www.theatlantic.com/author/eliot-a-cohen/

NOW AVAILABLE 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/ukrainethelatest

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,177.

Today, as Vladimir Putin rejects mounting Western pressure to attend peace talks in Turkey with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, attention turns to the controversial delegation he's sending in his place. Who are these representatives, and why are international diplomats describing their presence as an ‘insult’ to the peace process? Plus, we report on a new monument to Joseph Stalin unveiled in Moscow, and investigate how Russia’s military build-up is accelerating, not slowing, despite the war’s toll.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Dom Nicholls (Associate Editor for Defence). @DomNicholls on X.

Joe Barnes (Brussels Correspondent). @Barnes_Joe on X.

James Kilner (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.

Content Referenced:

‘A potentially historic day descends into chaos’ (The Telegraph Live Blog):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/05/15/russia-ukraine-peace-talks-turkey-putin-zelensky-trump/

A glimpse inside Putin’s secret arms empire (The Economist)

https://www.economist.com/interactive/briefing/2025/05/08/a-glimpse-inside-putins-secret-arms-empire

Zelensky to travel to Turkey for peace talks regardless of Putin’s plans (Financial Times):

https://www.ft.com/content/a43c7876-7d7b-4d1c-96fd-98b60a1c6223

NOW AVAILABLE 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/ukrainethelatest

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,176.

Today, we discuss reports of staged anti-Western protests ahead of Russia’s Victory Day parade last week, where ‘activists for hire’ chanted slogans in front of several EU embassies. We also look at the 17th package of sanctions agreed on by EU ambassadors, which will have severe ramifications for Vladimir Putin’s shadow fleet. Finally, we hear about the escalation of strikes on civilians since the beginning of 2025 and their consequences, especially for children. Please note this episode features graphic descriptions of injuries caused by missiles and drones.

Contributors:

Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Reporter and Producer). @adeliepjz on X.

Dom Nicholls (Associate Editor for Defence). @DomNicholls on X.

Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.

With thanks to George Graham, Chief Executive of Humanity & Inclusion.

SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

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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 Humanity & Inclusion’s work in Ukraine:

https://www.humanity-inclusion.org.uk/en/country/ukraine

EU backs 17th round of Russia sanctions (POLITICO):

https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-backs-17th-round-of-russia-sanctions/

New Report Exposes Russia’s Strategic Disinformation Warfare (Global Rights Compliance):

https://globalrightscompliance.org/manufacturing-impunity-russian-information-operations-in-ukraine/

Macron open to deploying French nuclear weapons in Europe (DW):

https://www.dw.com/en/macron-open-to-deploying-french-nuclear-weapons-in-europe/a-72534138

Türkiye, Ukraine and Peru the first trips of the Pontiff (La Repubblica):

https://www.repubblica.it/cronaca/2025/05/13/news/viaggi_papa_leone_xiv_turchia_kiev_fatima-424183328/?ref=RHLF-BG-P4-S1-T1-EXTRA-CONCLAVE

How Joe Biden Handed the Presidency to Donald Trump (The New Yorker):

https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-political-scene/how-joe-biden-handed-the-presidency-to-donald-trump

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,175.

Today, we look ahead to what might happen on Thursday in Istanbul. We discuss whether Putin will show up at all. We also dive into the potential 17th round of sanctions if Russia doesn’t agree to a ceasefire, and whether Europe can deliver on its promises. Finally, Francis has a robust conversation with the Hungarian Secretary of State for International Communication and Relations, Zoltán Kovacs, at the Hungarian embassy in London.

Contributors:

Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Reporter and Producer). @adeliepjz on X.

Dom Nicholls (Associate Editor for Defence). @DomNicholls on X.

Joe Barnes (Brussels Correspondent). @Barnes_Joe on X.

Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.

With thanks to Zoltan Kovacs, Hungarian Secretary of State for International Communication and Relations.

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.

Content Referenced:

Joe Barnes, on the Telegraph:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/j/jk-jo/joe-barnes/

Trump toys with late entrance to Ukraine-Russia peace talks, Telegraph:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/05/12/russia-ukraine-zelensky-putin-war-latest-news/

UK to Unveil New Russia Sanctions as European Ministers Meet, Bloomberg

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-05-11/uk-to-unveil-new-russia-sanctions-as-european-ministers-meet

Why the EU is racing to expand its Russia sanctions in a push for peace, Financial Times

https://www.ft.com/content/2a781235-ad89-4aaf-a55f-c4863ba060c1

EU readies capital controls and tariffs to safeguard Russia sanctions, Financial Times

https://www.ft.com/content/7f7687da-b31a-4c64-a446-221c4a756a05

NOW AVAILABLE 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/ukrainethelatest

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,174.

Today, we unpack a momentous weekend of diplomacy which began with the European leaders of Britain, Germany, France, and Poland assembling in Kyiv to demand an unconditional ceasefire, escalated with a late-night address from Vladimir Putin and fresh drone attacks, then culminated in a shock intervention from Donald Trump. Afterwards, we offer a detailed analysis on the strategic picture on the front lines.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Francis Farrell (Reporter, The Kyiv Independent). @francisjfarrell on X.

SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

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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:

Francis Farrell’s reporting for the Kyiv Independent:

https://kyivindependent.com/author/francis-farrell/

Putin defies ceasefire demand with major drone barrage (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/05/12/russia-ukraine-zelensky-putin-war-latest-news/

Trump’s top negotiator accused of breaking protocol in talks with Putin (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/05/11/witkoff-used-kremlin-interpreter-breach-of-protocol/

NOW AVAILABLE 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, or click the links below.

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,171.

Today, as Vladimir Putin hosts world leaders in Moscow for his Victory Day Parade, we break down what was really on display: both in military hardware and political messaging. How much of the spectacle honored World War II, and how much signaled the rise of a militarised Russia? Then, we speak with a former Ukrainian MP and leader of the Sky Shield initiative about proposals for Kyiv’s allies to shoot down enemy missiles, and report on the latest resistance efforts in occupied territories.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.

Oksana Pyzik (Associate Professor Pharm Prac & Policy at UCL). @OksanaPyzikUCL on X.

With thanks to Lesia Orobets (former Member of Parliament of Ukraine). @LesyaOrobets on X and Illia Riepin.

Content Referenced:

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.

In full: Russia Victory Day parade 2025 w. commentary from Dom/Oksana (The Telegraph):

https://www.youtube.com/live/YMfnk-j42Rs

Soviets determined WW2, Putin tells Victory Day parade in Trump rebuff (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/05/09/russia-ukraine-zelensky-putin-war-latest-news529/

Russia building major new explosives facility as Ukraine war drags on (Reuters):

https://www.reuters.com/investigations/russia-building-major-new-explosives-facility-ukraine-war-drags-2025-05-08/

Learn more about the Sky Shield plan:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/16e4_huHkGl_MU2Qk2CH6skxnKn6kYzH3/view

Learn more about Ukrainian Action:

https://www.ukrainianaction.com/

NOW AVAILABLE 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, or click the links below.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.