Special: Drones, AI, and the New Rules of War

Day 1,266.Today, as Russian forces surge behind Ukrainian lines in the Donbas, we ask if this is just leverage for the upcoming talks in Alaska, or signs of a fundamental weakness in Ukraine’s defence. We also hear how President Zelensky’s line on ceding territory may be softening and look at how Russian propaganda is interpreting Putin’s upcoming meeting with Trump.Contributors:Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.Joe Barnes (Brussels Correspondant). @Barnes_Joe on X.James Kilner (Former Russia Correspondant). @jkjourno on X.Content Referenced:Battle Lines:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/08/08/battle-lines-podcast-inside-the-rise-of-chinas-military/Ukraine prepared to cede territory held by Russia (Joe Barnes in The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/08/11/ukraine-prepared-freeze-war-current-frontline-summit/ Britain issues warning to Merz and Macron over Ukraine (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/08/12/stop-commenting-trump-putin-ukraine-peace-talks-merz-macron/ Children First: Trump-Putin Summit ‘Disaster’ for Ukraine’s Stolen Kids, Warns Expert (Kyiv Post):https://www.kyivpost.com/post/57954Putin silences Russia with sweeping internet blackouts (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/08/07/putin-silences-russia-internet-blackouts/ North Koreans tell BBC they are being sent to work 'like slaves' in Russia (BBC):https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2077gwjlvxo 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.Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

12 Aug 49min

Day 1,265.Today, as the world looks ahead to this week’s Alaska summit between Presidents Trump and Putin, European foreign ministers gather in search of what one former minister calls a “shadow of power.” We also bring you news of another long-range Ukrainian strike on Russian energy infrastructure, explore how Italy could soon become a world leader in the art of political fudge, and share the latest postcard from Adelie in Ukraine.Contributors:Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Reporter and Producer). @adeliepjz on X.Content Referenced:He Was a Key Aide to Putin. Then He Balked at the Ukraine War (New York Times):https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/10/world/europe/putin-russia-ukraine-war-dmitri-kozak.html Putin Tells U.S. He’ll Halt War in Exchange for Eastern Ukraine (Wall Street Journal):https://www.wsj.com/world/putin-russia-ukraine-ceasefire-proposal-0021453b Italy will finally build a bridge to Sicily after 2,000 years (Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/08/06/italy-build-bridge-sicily/Swiss colonel alleged to have handed information to Russia (Swiss Info):https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/foreign-affairs/swiss-colonel-alleged-to-have-handed-on-information-to-russia/89802662NATO eyes launching new bank to bolster defense spending (TVP):https://tvpworld.com/88246574/nato-eyes-launching-new-bank-to-bolster-defense-spending-video 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.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/ukrainethelatestSubscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

11 Aug 46min

Day 1,262.Today, as deadline day begins, we discuss how plans for a trilateral summit of Trump, Zelensky, and Putin are already in jeopardy, and assess how the new tariffs on India are already impacting Russia’s increasingly precarious economy. We also cover reports of a new attack similar to Operation Spiderweb, and we do a deep dive into the history of Ukrainian chess, playing an International Master.Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.With thanks to Malcolm Pein (Chess Correspondent). @TelegraphChess on X.Content Referenced:Chess in Schools and Communities (CSC)https://www.chessinschools.co.uk/Our Black Sea Video Dispatch:Video -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2YjuuQz414 Audio - https://shorturl.at/D8ibRTrump abandons plans for three-way talks with Putin and Zelensky (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/08/07/ukraine-russia-putin-trump-zelensky/ Russia's budget deficit hits $61 billion, surpassing annual target by 30% (Kyiv Independent):https://kyivindependent.com/russias-budget-deficit-hits-61-billion/ Russian football clubs given €10.8m in Uefa ‘solidarity’ funds since Ukraine invasion (The Guardian):https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/08/uefa-paid-russian-football-clubs-solidarity-funds-invasion-ukraineSIGN 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.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/ukrainethelatestSubscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

8 Aug 48min

Day 1,261.Today, with 24 hours to go until Donald Trump’s ceasefire deadline passes, we assess reports that he intends to meet Putin within days, and broker a meeting between the Russian President and President Zelensky. Has the Kremlin done enough to avoid those tariffs? Plus, also hear from the Ukrainian border with Belarus, where families are reunited.Contributors:Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist and Producer). @adeliepjz on X.Content Referenced:Telegraph Ukraine Live Blog:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/08/07/ukraine-russia-putin-trump-zelensky/ Trump to meet Putin as early as next week (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2025/08/06/putin-zelensky-meet-ukraine-peace-talks-trump/ Trump declares Russia ‘extraordinary threat to US’ (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/08/06/trump-declares-russia-extraordinary-threat-us-india-tariffs/ Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

7 Aug 44min

Day 1,260.Today, as Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff meets Vladimir Putin for so-called ceasefire negotiations, President Zelensky releases a video marking a year since Ukrainian troops invaded Russia’s Kursk oblast and Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office opens another investigation into alleged Russian war crimes after a video emerges of a civilian being gunned down in the Donbas. Plus, we explore issues around the use of tourniquets in combat and how their misuse might be causing unnecessary deaths.Contributors:Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.Maeve Cullinan (Global health security reporter). @maeve_cullinan on X.Content Referenced:‘Cult’ of tourniquets causing thousands of unnecessary amputations and deaths in Ukraine, say surgeons (Maeve Cullinan in The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/terror-and-security/cult-of-tourniquets-causing-unnecessary-amputations-deaths/ Putin considers missile and drone truce as Trump envoy arrives in Moscow (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/08/06/putin-mulls-missile-drone-truce-trump-envoy-moscow/ Exclusive: Putin doubts potency of Trump's ultimatum to end the war, sources say (Reuters):https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/putin-doubts-potency-trumps-ultimatum-end-war-sources-say-2025-08-05/ Trump’s Ukraine peace plan: Make India pay (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/08/06/trumps-ukraine-peace-plan-runs-straight-through-old-friend/ Why the laws of war are widely ignored (The Economist):https://www.economist.com/international/2025/08/05/why-the-laws-of-war-are-widely-ignored Sviatlana Tsikanouskaya (List of events marking five years of protest):https://tsikhanouskaya.org/en/news/join-events-on-august-9-to-mark-five-years-since-the-2020-protests-in-belarus.htmlSubscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

6 Aug 42min

Day 1,259.Today, as President Trump’s deadline fast approaches, we discuss renewed bombardments in Kharkiv and elsewhere, before looking at the media landscape in the United States and considering the vital role of international volunteers in the war effort. Plus, we hear Adelie’s latest dispatch from her trip to Ukraine.Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Reporter and Producer). @adeliepjz on X.Content Referenced:Ukraine flags Indian-made parts in drones used by Russian forces (Hindustan Times):https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/ukraine-flags-indian-made-parts-in-drones-used-by-russian-forces-101754335825281.html Tortured Ukrainian POW branded with ‘Glory to Russia’ vows to return to battle after recovery: ‘Thirst for revenge’ (New York Post):https://nypost.com/2025/08/04/world-news/tortured-ukrainian-pow-branded-with-glory-to-russia-vows-to-return-to-battle The Hidden War Over Ukraine’s Lost Children (TIME):https://time.com/7302345/ukraine-lost-children-russia-war/ 20 Russian properties in Vienna could be auctioned off, with proceeds going to Ukraine (Der Standard):https://www.derstandard.at/story/3000000282204/20-russische-immobilien-in-wien-koennten-zwangsversteigert-werden-erloes-wuerde-an-ukraine-gehen China Is Choking Supply of Critical Minerals to Western Defense Companies (Wall Street Journal):https://www.wsj.com/world/asia/china-western-defense-industry-critical-minerals-3971ec51 NATO Should Not Replace Traditional Firepower with ‘Drones’ (RUSI): https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/rusi-defence-systems/nato-should-not-replace-traditional-firepower-drones 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.Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

5 Aug 42min

Day 1,258.Today, after a weekend in which Ukrainian drones brought the war to Russian tourists flying into the Black Sea resort of Sochi, the week starts with news of another long-range strike against Russian air assets. Plus, we look ahead at what is likely to be another lively week on the diplomatic front, before hearing the second of our two-part dispatch on military innovation in US Army Europe.Contributors:Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.With thanks to the 173rd Bayonet Innovation Team of the U.S. Army.Content Referenced:Ukraine uncovers drone procurement corruption scheme (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/08/02/ukraine-uncovers-drone-procurement-corruption-scheme/ Russia’s advance in Ukraine accelerates for fourth straight month (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/08/01/russias-advance-ukraine-accelerates-fourth-straight-month/ Trump’s Ukraine Policy Deserves a Reassessment (Eliot Cohen in The Atlantic):https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/07/trump-ukraine/683661/ 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.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/ukrainethelatestSubscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

4 Aug 53min

Day 1,255.Today, as the death toll from this week’s massive strike on Kyiv edges upwards, we look at the pressure now being applied to President Zelensky’s chief advisor over the anti-corruption bill that proved so controversial. Plus, we have our regular segment on resistance activities in the occupied territories, and hear from Adélie on the ground in Ukraine.Contributors:Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Memphis Barker (Senior foreign correspondent). @memphisbarkeron X.Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.Dr. Jade McGlynn (War Studies Department of King's College). @DrJadeMcGlynn on X.Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Reporter and Producer). @adeliepjz on X.Content Referenced:Nikita’s Telegram channel: Telegram channel: https://t.me/svoypatsan861/61Nikita’s TokTok channel: https://www.tiktok.com/@svoypatsan861?_t=ZS-8ySvtVzMreE&_r=1Defense News article on drones: https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2025/07/31/behind-attacks-on-ukrainian-cities-russia-is-building-a-drone-empire/Learn more about Fire Aid: fire-aid.orgSIGN 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.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/ukrainethelatestSubscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1 Aug 54min