Kursk pocket closes as Ukraine advances in Donbas

Day 1,111.

Today, on the military front - Russian forces move forward in Kursk oblast and close in on the town of Sudzha while Ukraine hits another oil refinery in Russia’s Samara oblast and Ukrainian troops made some small advances in the Donbas. Meanwhile, we hear how France’s commitment to defence has played out domestically and we look ahead to several military and defence meetings happening in Paris this week. Later, we’ll hear an interview with the Governor of Kherson’s oblast, Oleksandr Prokudin, and we dive into the murky world of a Bulgarian spy ring operating in the UK, on behalf of the Kremlin.

Contributors:

Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Narrative Podcast Producer). @adeliepjz on X.

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

Marion Solletty (Editor At Large @POLITICOEurope). @MSolletty on X.

Roland Oliphant (Senior Foreign Correspondent). @RolandOliphant on X.

With thanks to Oleksandr Prokudin (Governor of Kherson’s oblast).

Content Referenced:

Russia’s push for bridgeheads could leave Ukrainian city split like Berlin

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/03/08/russias-push-bridgeheads-ukraine-berlin-style-split/

JD Vance’s cousin is fighting in Ukraine - Le Figaro

https://www.lefigaro.fr/en/world/le-figaro-speaks-with-nate-jd-vance-s-first-cousin-and-a-volunteer-fighter-in-ukraine-20250310

Tech boss is Russian spymaster who has led cells across Europe ... and is now on the run. Listen to Hayley Dixon’s journey:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03/07/marsalek-russian-spymaster-wirecard/

And read the rest of Hayley Dixon’s investigation:

Russian agents found guilty in Britain’s biggest spy investigation

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03/07/russian-agents-found-guilty-britains-spy-ring/

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