Systematic Russification and Youth Organisations

Day 1,418.

Today, as thousands remain without power in Kyiv, we examine President Zelensky’s pledge to carry out more operations “inside” Russia and analyse Moscow’s latest tank and weapons innovations. We then unpack an extraordinary outburst from a Russian spokesperson, who dismissed the “wet dreams of British perverts”, before considering what the fall of Iran’s regime would mean for the war in Ukraine. Later, we return to the issue of Ukraine’s stolen children, with new details on the military training they are being forced to undergo.

Contributors

Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.

Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist and Producer). @adeliepjz on X.

With thanks to Olesia Bida (Journalist, The Kyiv Independent's War Crimes investigations). @olesyabida on X.

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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.

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Our sister podcast Battle Lines’ episode discussing flashpoints in 2026:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3aQpnrqUDE 

UK Defence Secretary John Healey: “I would kidnap Putin” (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/01/10/john-healey-i-would-kidnap-vladimir-putin/ 

Britain to spend £200m preparing troops for Ukraine (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/01/09/britain-200m-spend-troops-ukraine-deployment/ 

Russia’s ‘dandelion’ tank armour might just work (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/01/10/russia-bizarre-tank-defences-dandelion-ukraine-war-turtle/ 

Zelensky hopes reshuffle will give him a better hand at home and away (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/01/11/zelensky-hedges-his-bets-with-cabinet-reshuffle/v 

Investigating Russia's military camp system for children (Kyiv Independent documentary): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZGmv2EQdGk

Russian spies target £70-a-night hotel near Nato HQ (The i):

https://inews.co.uk/news/nato-warns-of-russian-spies-4145755 

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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/ukrainethelatest

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