Ukraine: The Latest

Day 1,510.
Today, as new evidence emerges that Russia is increasing sign-on bonuses to recruit more soldiers for its war in Ukraine, we report on efforts to ramp up defences around Vladimir Putin’s palace. We also examine dramatic political developments in Hungary, where the new prime minister has vowed to expose alleged Russian links – amid reports of document shredding by allies of former leader Viktor Orbán. And later, we speak to a former CIA operative about Russian disinformation tactics, the failures of Kremlin intelligence services, and what they have learned – and not learned – from the war.

Contributors:
Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.
Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.
With thanks to former CIA operative Sean M. Wiswesser.

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:
Sean M. Wiswesser’s book, ‘Tradecraft, Tactics, and Dirty Tricks: Russian Intelligence and Putin's Secret War’:
https://a.co/d/04TANzGg

Putin has lost his best friend inside the EU. Who can he rely on now Orban has gone? (The Telegraph):
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/04/14/putin-loses-best-friend-orban/

Ukraine ‘forces Russians to surrender using only robots’ (The Telegraph):
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/04/14/ukraine-forces-russians-to-surrender-using-only-robots/

Putin’s house now protected by 27 air defence systems (Antonia Langford in The Telegraph):
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/04/13/putins-house-now-protected-27-air-defence-systems-drones/

Zelensky's Ukraine's Defense Industry Worker Day Address (President's Office):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Br_kdXR-sk&t=56s

Starmer accused of ‘corrosive complacency’ over defence (The Telegraph):
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/04/14/starmer-accused-complacency-former-nato-chief-defence/

EMAIL US:
Contact the team on [email protected] . We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many on air and in our newsletter as possible.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,509.
Today, as Ukraine and the wider world react to the apparent rejection of Viktor Orbán’s model of “illiberal democracy” in Hungary, we ask: who is Péter Magyar, and what does his rise mean for Hungarian politics and Europe? As Hungarians confront a potential new political era, we examine whether real change is coming in Budapest – and how the European Union will handle the unresolved вопрос of the €90 billion loan for Ukraine. We also assess how much fighting actually paused during the Orthodox Easter ceasefire in Russia’s war against Ukraine, and ask whether Vladimir Putin is ultimately a winner or loser from the recent global attacks on oil infrastructure.

Contributors:
Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.
Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.
James Crisp (Europe Editor). @JamesCrisp6 on X.

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:
Orban ousted in Hungarian election landslide (The Telegraph):
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/04/12/orban-concedes-defeat-hungarian-election/

How Orban’s ousting in Hungary undermines Putin (James Crisp in The Telegraph):
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/04/13/orbans-ousting-hungary-undermines-putin/

What it’s like to be hunted by drones in Ukraine (Antonia Langford in The Telegraph):
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/04/13/what-its-like-to-be-hunted-by-drones-in-ukraine/

Learn more about ‘The Light of Freedom – A Night for Ukraine’ fundraiser tomorrow:
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/supportukraine/2051898

EMAIL US:
Contact the team on [email protected] . We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many on air and in our newsletter as possible.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,506.
Today, as Putin finally agrees to a brief ceasefire this weekend to mark Orthodox Easter - trying to pass the initiative off as his own generosity - we examine what a ceasefire is and, importantly, what it is not. We report how the next round of so-called peace talks have run into the sand and we have our regular update about resistance operations in the occupied territories. Plus, a special report from Adelie, for which discretion is advised, about how Russian troops are using sexual violence as a tactic in their war.

Contributors:
Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.
Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.
With thanks to Dr Jade McGlynn and Sara Cincurova.

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:
Putin announces Easter ceasefire in Ukraine
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/04/09/zelensky-trump-is-ignoring-russias-role-in-iran-attacks/

Ukrainian Women Tell Their Stories of Sexual Violence by Russian Soldiers
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/20/world/europe/russian-soldiers-sexual-violence-ukraine.html

Three Years After Bucha’s Liberation, Ukrainian Women Still Struggle for Justice
https://www.moretoherstory.com/stories/three-years-after-buchas-liberation-ukrainian-women-still-struggle-for-justice

EMAIL US:
Contact the team on [email protected] . We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many on air and in our newsletter as possible.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,505.
Today, as Russian shadow fleet tankers steam through the English channel backed up by warships, The Telegraph’s acting defence editor Tom Cotterill, was also floating nearby to witness PM Sir Keir Starmer’s new shadow fleet policy in action. We report on Russia's secret submarine operation in British waters. Ukraine claims that it has put Russia's last remaining ferry in the Kerch Strait out of action, potentially isolating occupied Crimea. And we hear that Hungary has uncovered a massive Ukrainian money laundering operation just days ahead of the general election. Plus we hear from our resident Russia-watcher James Kilner, and ask: is Moscow’s jeering a sign that the Kremlin no longer fears Donald Trump?

Contributors:
Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.
James Kilner. @jkjourno on X

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:
The Russian warship loomed above me, bristling with firepower and brazen menace, by Tom Cotterill: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/04/09/russian-warship-loomed-above-me-bristling-with-firepower

Russia ran secret submarine operation in British waters: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/04/09/russia-ran-secret-submarine-operation-in-british-waters/

Ukrainian intelligence called it “the last Russian railway ferry in the Kerch Strait still afloat” — now it’s out of action too
https://euromaidanpress.com/2026/04/08/ukrainian-intelligence-called-it-the-last-russian-railway-ferry-in-the-kerch-strait-still-afloat-now-its-out-of-action-too/

EMAIL US:
Contact the team on [email protected] . We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many on air and in our newsletter as possible.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,504.
Today Ukraine praises the news of an apparent ceasefire between the US, Israel and Iran, with Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha saying: “American decisiveness works”. We report on an FBI operation to protect US citizens from Russian cyberhackers and take in the aromas of a fishing port in NW France, where Breton fishermen are donating their old nets to Ukraine to protect against drones. Plus, Francis has a second dispatch with Orban’s team on the upcoming Hungary elections.

Contributors:
Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.
Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

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:
Francis’s Hungary Documentaries –
Part I: Ukraine & Russia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIILzKnFs2o
Part II: Immigration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuGB9mgdHvE

The French fishing village helping Ukraine catch Russian drones, by Henry Samuel: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/04/08/french-fishing-village-helping-ukraine-catch-russian-drones/

Justice Department Conducts Court-Authorized Disruption of DNS Hijacking Network Controlled by a Russian Military Intelligence Unit
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-conducts-court-authorized-disruption-dns-hijacking-network-controlled

NATO Internship Programme
https://www.nato.int/en/work-with-us/careers/internship-programme?srcDelegationsatNATOEN

EMAIL US:
Contact the team on [email protected] . We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many on air and in our newsletter as possible.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.