Day 1,171.

Today, as Vladimir Putin hosts world leaders in Moscow for his Victory Day Parade, we break down what was really on display: both in military hardware and political messaging. How much of the spectacle honored World War II, and how much signaled the rise of a militarised Russia? Then, we speak with a former Ukrainian MP and leader of the Sky Shield initiative about proposals for Kyiv’s allies to shoot down enemy missiles, and report on the latest resistance efforts in occupied territories.

Contributors:

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

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

Oksana Pyzik (Associate Professor Pharm Prac & Policy at UCL). @OksanaPyzikUCL on X.

With thanks to Lesia Orobets (former Member of Parliament of Ukraine). @LesyaOrobets on X and Illia Riepin.

Content Referenced:

SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/

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.

In full: Russia Victory Day parade 2025 w. commentary from Dom/Oksana (The Telegraph):

https://www.youtube.com/live/YMfnk-j42Rs

Soviets determined WW2, Putin tells Victory Day parade in Trump rebuff (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/05/09/russia-ukraine-zelensky-putin-war-latest-news529/

Russia building major new explosives facility as Ukraine war drags on (Reuters):

https://www.reuters.com/investigations/russia-building-major-new-explosives-facility-ukraine-war-drags-2025-05-08/

Learn more about the Sky Shield plan:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/16e4_huHkGl_MU2Qk2CH6skxnKn6kYzH3/view

Learn more about Ukrainian Action:

https://www.ukrainianaction.com/

NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:

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, or click the links below.

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