Ukraine blitzes Moscow with 1,000 drones in biggest attack of war

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 Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

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:

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 drones
• Considered the ‘biggest attack of war’

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