The Big Steal

In the early hours of 24 February 2022, Russia launched a brutal invasion of its neighbour, Ukraine. True to his yearslong strategy of lies and disinformation, Vladimir Putin said he had launched a “s...

2 Mar 202238min

With tensions continuing to grow between Russia, Ukraine, the EU and NATO, is President Putin’s endgame finally coming into view? A massive military build-up on the Russian side of the border with Ukr...

14 Des 202151min

The Kremlin’s lies can be seen almost everywhere across the globe and show no signs of abating. In fact world leaders are even adopting Putin’s tactics as a new breed of autocracy is on the horizon. ...

24 Nov 202133min

In this episode Gavin Esler explores the theft of democracy itself in Russia. President Putin holds elections regularly, but for what reason, considering that his ruling party always wins? In recent y...

2 Nov 202147min

The Big Steal returns with a new series exploring Russia's continuing journey towards an autocratic kleptocracy. Whilst the world has been gripped by a global pandemic, President Putin has maintained...

18 Okt 202144min

Gavin Esler brings us news of the upcoming Series 2 of The Big Steal. A new 3-part series coming later this month. Plus - a sample of 'Taking Apart Terror' - a new podcast series from the same product...

10 Sep 202114min

Gavin Esler talks to experts on Russia and its complicated political and economic landscape, to attempt to pull all the threads together and answer some of the questions that run through "the Big Stea...

28 Apr 202037min

What comes next? There are clear indications that Putin was behind meddling in the US election of 2016, and convincing arguments to suggest that he tested his tactics on the UK’s Brexit referendum ear...

17 Apr 202037min