Exclusive: Drone warfare makes us long for the trenches, say frontline soldiers

Day 1,669.

Today, the Red Cross says 275,000 people have been registered as missing in connection with Russia’s war against Ukraine. We return to the United Nations in New York, where Presidents Trump and Zelensky met to discuss an energy truce and bringing the war to an end, as UK prime minister Andy Burnham offered his support. Then, we hear the perspectives of some soldiers on the frontlines, and why some long for the days of trench warfare, from reporter Colin Freeman who recently returned from Ukraine.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Colin Freeman (Freelance reporter). @colinfreeman99 on X.

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:

David Knowles Fundraiser for KHARPP:

https://www.zeffy.com/en-GB/donation-form/fundraiser-for-kharpp-in-memory-of-david-knowles

Frontline Club Event with the Kyiv Independent on 1st October (Francis Dearnley moderating):

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/panel-discussion-ukraine-inside-their-war-tickets-2000033706656?aff=oddtdtcreator

The Kyiv Independent Live in London on 2 October:

https://tickets.kyivindependent.com/events/thekyivindependentlive/2281999/r/frontline

Colin Freeman's Book on the International Legion:

https://amzn.eu/d/0cqiSDDD

Ukraine open to grain truce with Russia, deputy PM says (Politico)

https://www.politico.eu/article/ukraine-open-to-grain-truce-with-russia-deputy-pm-vsevolod-chentsov-says/

Ukraine veterans yearn for return to trench warfare (Colin Freeman for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/21/ukraine-veterans-yearn-for-days-of-meat-wave-war/

Dom’s interview with Valerie Stobbart, mother of Nathan Stobbart who went missing while fighting for Russia:

On Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/ukraine-the-latest/id1612424182?i=1000789807562

On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/34xFLINgowRYMKp3AJ9BmX?si=479d9d97182b4251

On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53m2ZP3xm6A

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk

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:

• Drone warfare makes us long for the trenches, say frontline soldiers
• 275,000 people reported missing in connection with the war

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