Ukraine: The Latest

Ukrainian 'prisoner soldiers' enter the fray in the Battle of Donbas

Oct 25, 2024

Dominic Nicholls, Associate Editor of Defence at The Telegraph, and Francis Farrell, Reporter for The Kyiv Independent, dive into the unique phenomenon of former Ukrainian prisoners joining the military. They discuss the motivations behind this move, the integration challenges they face, and how their experiences differ from Russian forces. The podcast also touches on Russia's dealings with North Korea and the evolving landscape of military strategies in the enduring conflict in Ukraine.

48:12

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Episode guests

Francis Farrell

Dominic Nicholls

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Quick takeaways

Russia's collaboration with North Korea signifies a concerning shift in military strategy, potentially impacting the conflict's dynamics against Ukraine.

Ukraine's initiative allowing former prisoners to volunteer for military service highlights a unique approach focused on redemption and manpower enhancement.

Deep dives

Russia's Collaboration with North Korea

Recent confirmations reveal that Russia is collaborating with North Korea, deploying around 1,500 North Korean troops to assist in the conflict against Ukraine. Reports suggest that these troops may be stationed primarily in Kursk, indicating a strategic shift in Moscow's military operations. This revelation comes as President Putin openly acknowledges negotiations with Kim Jong-un regarding troop movements. The implications of this partnership raise significant concerns about the evolving dynamics between Russia and North Korea in the context of the ongoing war.

Intro

2min

Geopolitical Turbulence: Ukraine and Beyond

13min

From Prison to Battlefield: The Ukrainian Volunteer Experience

25min

Effectiveness of Ukrainian Air Defense Against Russian Missile Strikes

2min

Reflections on Military Support and Historical Parallels

5min

The Role of 'Prisoner Soldiers' in the Battle of Donbas

2min

Day 976.

Today, as Putin admits Russia is working with North Korea, we look at several investigations into Moscow’s interactions with terrorist groups, and consider the former Ukrainian prisoners released to fight on the front lines.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). @FrancisDearnley on X.

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

Francis Farrell (Report, The Kyiv Independent). @francisjfarrell on X.

Content Referenced:

Elon Musk’s Secret Conversations With Vladimir Putin (Wall Street Journal)

https://www.wsj.com/world/russia/musk-putin-secret-conversations-37e1c187

Russia Provided Targeting Data for Houthi Assault on Global Shipping (Wall Street Journal)

https://www.wsj.com/world/russia-provided-targeting-data-for-houthi-assault-on-global-shipping-eabc2c2b

Meet the Ukrainian prisoner soldiers entering the fray in the Battle of Donbas (Francis Farrell in the Kyiv Independent)

https://kyivindependent.com/ukraines-convict-soldiers-prepare-to-fight-russia/

Kyiv preparing internal plan to 'strengthen Ukraine,' Zelensky confirms (Kyiv Independent)