Ukraine: The Latest

Russia surges to border in Kursk as Ukraine holds line in Donbas

Mar 7, 2025

Sir Bill Browder, head of the Global Magnitsky Justice Campaign and author, teams up with Yulia Ziskina, a Senior Legal Fellow at Razom for Ukraine, to discuss critical topics regarding the use of frozen Russian assets. They advocate for redirecting these funds to strengthen Ukraine's defense and secure reparations. The conversation also touches on the urgent need for decisive political actions, the implications of U.S. intelligence withdrawal, and the broader geopolitical tensions stemming from Russia's military advances.

01:12:07

Creator website

Episode guests

Yulia Ziskina

Bill Browder

AI Summary

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Russian forces are aggressively advancing in Kursk, threatening Ukrainian territorial integrity while Ukraine maintains some logistical control despite losses.

Recent Russian strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure following Zelensky's truce appeal reveal ongoing efforts to undermine Ukraine's economy and civilian morale.

The withdrawal of US intelligence sharing raises concerns over Ukraine's defensive capabilities, complicating their military strategy amidst increasing Russian pressure.

Deep dives

Escalation in the Kursk Region

Russian forces have intensified their military operations in the Kursk region, aiming to eliminate the remaining Ukrainian troops in that area. This campaign has allowed Russian troops to capture additional territory, extending their control further toward the Ukrainian border. Despite these gains, Ukrainian forces still retain logistics and fire control over parts of the land they've lost, though the situation remains precarious. The Kremlin's focus on this front underscores their desire to strengthen their military position as negotiations around peace talks loom.

Intro

2min

Escalating Tensions in Kursk

9min

EU Defense Dynamics Amidst Ukraine Crisis

27min

Nuclear Strategies and Legislative Actions

7min

Decisive Action on Frozen Assets

19min

The Consequences of Political Inaction During Crisis

2min

Tensions Rise: Russia's Movements and Ukraine's Defense

2min

Ukraine Conflict Insights

5min

Challenges of Establishing Peace in Ukraine

4min

Day 1,108.

Today, Russian forces split Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region and advance towards the border. Meanwhile, Russia targets a Ukrainian gas facility with missiles and drones just after Zelensky calls for a truce on attacks on infrastructure. On the political side, we discuss the consequences of the withdrawal of US intelligence to Ukraine, the French nuclear shield offer, and Russia’s response to the idea of European peacekeeping forces in Ukraine. We also look to Washington for the Hegseth and Healey summit. Lastly, we sit down with Sir Bill Browder and Yuliya Ziskina to discuss why Russian frozen assets should be transferred to Ukraine for defence spending and reparations.

Contributors:

Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Narrative Podcast Producer). @adeliepjz on X.

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

Danielle Sheridan (Defence Editor). @SheridanDani on X.

Hamish De Bretton-Gordon (Former British Army Tank Commander). @HamishDBG on X

With thanks to Sir William Browder KCMG (Head of Global Magnitsky Justice campaign and author) @Billbrowder on X, and Juliya Ziskina (Senior Legal Fellow at Razom for Ukraine). @jziskina on X.

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.

Listen here

Learn more about the tech

Content Referenced:

Danielle Sheridan in QWashington DC on the Hegseth-Healy summit

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03/06/calling-trump-pro-russia-garbage-hegesth-ukraine/

Hamish De Bretton-Gordon in the Telegraph, ‘Trump is behaving like a businessman, not a Commander-in-Chief’

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/03/06/trump-behaving-like-businessman-not-commander-in-chief/

The Telegraph on the US intelligence blackout

Le Monde’s interview with Oleksyi, commander in an air defence unit near Odesa with US cutting military aid

Le Monde on Chinese citizens enrolling in Russian forces

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk