Ukraine: The Latest

Day 1,574.
Today, as President Zelensky declares that “if Ukraine burns, so will Moscow”, we report on a wave of strikes inside Russia that have produced some of the most dramatic images of the war so far, with more than 1,000 drones sowing destruction across multiple regions. Then, after a prominent MAGA influencer admits she fell for Russian propaganda, we ask whether Putin’s continued attacks on religious and cultural sites in Ukraine may finally be seen for what they are by the Christian Right in the United States. And after the Russian president appears to answer criticism that he is isolated and afraid of meeting ordinary people, we take a closer look at footage of an apparently spontaneous walkabout that raised eyebrows when a security guard was overheard referring to “background actors”. Throughout the episode, we'll be joined by our friendly RAND analyst to help make sense of the latest military and technological developments shaping Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Contributors:
Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.
Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.
With thanks to RAND engineer Michael Bohnert.

Producer: Rachel Porter
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:

Moscow burns after Ukraine attacks Russia with 1,000 drones (The Telegraph)
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/18/ukraine-hits-moscow-oil-refinerylargest-attack-two-years/

Putin’s adoring crowd accidentally outed as ‘extras’ by bodyguard (The Telegraph)
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/18/putins-adoring-crowd-accidentally-outed-as-extras-bodyguard/

Almost 70% of Ukrainians expect Zelensky to be replaced after war, poll shows (Kyiv Independent)
https://kyivindependent.com/almost-70-of-ukrainians-expect-zelensky-to-be-replaced-after-the-war-poll-shows/?mc_cid=d2d0ed0168&mc_eid=08d0680a95

Belarus' Lukashenko says both sides must compromise to end Russia-Ukraine war (Reuters):
https://www.reuters.com/world/belarus-lukashenko-says-both-sides-must-compromise-end-russia-ukraine-war-2026-06-16/

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:
Ukraine blitzes Moscow with 1,000 drones
Considered the ‘biggest attack of war’

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,573.
Today, after a Russian warship fires warning shots at an unarmed vessel in the English Channel, we take you to the G7 Summit, where observers are describing a “turning point” in perceptions of Ukraine’s progress in the war, as it continues to batter Russian infrastructure and strangle Crimea. We hear live from the ground about what has been unlocked for Kyiv, and later – in our regular segment on life inside Russia – we ask why Vladimir Putin may (or may not) be cracking down on organised crime at a time when public dissatisfaction is reportedly growing and his popularity plummeting.

Contributors:
Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.
Joe Barnes (Diplomatic Editor). @Barnes_Joe on X.
James Kilner (Russia Analyst). @Jkjourno 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:
Give us Patriot blueprints so we can make our own, Zelensky tells Trump (Joe Barnes The Telegraph):
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/16/zelensky-patriot-blueprints-trump/

Russian warship fires shots at yacht in Channel (The Telegraph):
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/06/16/russian-warship-fired-warning-shot-at-yacht-in-channel/

Warning shots should be a last resort. This is a dangerous escalation (Dom Nicholls in The Telegraph):
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/06/16/russian-warning-shots-channel-dangerous-escalation/

Anti-Putin artist shot dead in Poland car park ‘execution’ (The Telegraph):
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/16/anti-putin-artist-shot-dead-in-poland-car-park-execution/

Sending fuel trucks up in flames, Ukraine tries to cut off Crimea (New York Times):
ttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/17/world/europe/russia-ukraine-crimea-fuel-shortages.html

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:
Russian warship fires shots at boat in English Channel
Putin 'hiding in bunkers' as popularity plummets
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,572.
Today, as Donald Trump tells the G7 summit that “Russia should make a deal”, we examine what this apparent shift in tone from the US president could mean for Ukraine, and what President Volodymyr Zelensky can realistically hope to achieve from this crucial gathering – perhaps even a face-to-face meeting with Vladimir Putin. We also ask how Ukrainian drones continue to penetrate Moscow’s formidable air defences, after another strike reportedly hit a Russian oil refinery and disrupted operations at airports across the capital. We report on allegations that a Russian diplomat was involved in an arson attack targeting the home of Britain’s Prime Minister, and later speak to the independent journalist leading an investigation into an Irish manufacturing plant accused of supplying components that may be helping to sustain Putin’s war machine.

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

With thanks to Caolan Robertson. @CaolanReports on X.

Producer: Phil Atkins
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:

Our sister podcast Iran: The Latest:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/iran--the-latest/

G7 Live Blog:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/16/g7-summit-latest-news-trump-ukraine-iran-war-peace-deal/

Russian diplomat ‘linked to Starmer firebomb attack’ (The Telegraph):
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/06/15/russia-firebombers-verdict-london-ukraine-keir-starmer/

Britain to supply Ukraine with more nuclear fuel (The Telegraph)
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/15/britain-to-supply-ukraine-with-more-nuclear-fuel/

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:

Trump tells Putin to ‘make a deal’ at G7
'Revenge strike' as Kyiv hits major Moscow oil refinery
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,571.
In what could prove one of the most consequential weeks of the year for international diplomacy, Francis and Dom assess what a ceasefire in Iran might mean for the war – and whether it could help unlock a pathway towards peace after another bloody weekend in which a Russian attack left one of Kyiv’s most historic cathedrals in flames. They also examine the significance of British Royal Marines boarding and seizing a Russian shadow fleet tanker, and report the latest on Ukraine’s EU negotiations as formal accession talks kick off today. Finally, Dom considers the sweeping military reforms now being undertaken by Kyiv that could have profound consequences for Ukraine’s armed forces and those fighting on the frontline.

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

Producer: Rachel Porter
Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett
Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan
Social Producer: Tom Steed
Studio Director: James England
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:
Our sister podcast Iran: The Latest: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/iran--the-latest/

Trump negotiators to visit Moscow after birthday call with Putin (The Telegraph)
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/14/iran-ukraine-g7-witkoff-kushner-russia/

Russia bombs historic Kyiv cathedral (The Telegraph)
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/15/russia-bombs-kyiv-cathedral/

Royal Marines seize Russian shadow fleet tanker in Channel (The Telegraph)
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/06/14/british-armed-forces-russian-oil-tanker-english-channel/

Inside six-hour mission to storm Putin’s shadow oil tanker (The Telegraph)
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/06/14/inside-six-hour-mission-to-storm-russias-shadow-oil-tanker/
EU countries weigh ‘tearing apart’ bloc’s diplomatic service (Financial Times)
https://www.ft.com/content/a7278d93-98fc-4fa7-a14c-d0c089b693dd?syn-25a6b1a6=1

Russian MP warns Putin: We’re on the brink of social collapse (Antonia Langford for the Telegraph)
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/13/russian-mp-warns-putin-were-on-the-brink-of-social-collapse/

It Was Meant to Unify. Now the G7 Is Dogged by Chaos and Divided by Trump (New York Times)
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/14/world/europe/g7-summit-evian-trump.html

Donald Trump stages show of political domination with UFC bout on White House lawn (Financial Times)
https://www.ft.com/content/11f71770-5872-4769-9ea5-a21f12151e10?syn-25a6b1a6=1

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:

'Barbarism' as Moscow bombs historic Kyiv cathedral
British commandos seize Russian shadow fleet ship
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,568.
As Putin marks Russia Day by handing out state prizes, including to a former human rights commissioner who’s been sanctioned for gross human rights violations, Ukraine chose to celebrate the big day by launching attacks across Russia. Dom reports how repeated Ukrainian strikes have reduced traffic along the critical supply corridor to Crimea by nearly three quarters, and looks at the latest European diplomatic overtures to the Kremlin. Later, Adelie interviews two charities that rescue animals from the frontline.

Contributors:
Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.
Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.

With thanks to:
Yuriy Tokarski, CEO of U-Hearts Foundation and Yaryna Vintoniuk and Yuliana Symchych of Animal Rescue Kharkiv.

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett
Video Producer: James England
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:
Exclusive: Ukraine's drone commander wants to cut Crimea off from Russia (Reuters)
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraines-drone-commander-wants-cut-crimea-off-russia-2026-06-11/

Learn more about Animal Rescue Kharkiv:
https://youtube.com/@animalrescuekharkiv?si=eXf93VmXprnAGoMb
https://www.facebook.com/spt.kh/
https://www.instagram.com/animal.rescue.kharkiv.en
https://www.animalrescuekharkiv.org/

Learn more about U-Hearts Foundation:
https://u-hearts.com/

EMAIL US:
Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many on air and in our newsletter as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Ukraine wipes out 'critical' supply route on Russia's national day
50 Russian military trucks also destroyed
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.