Investigation claims a Ukrainian military officer coordinated an attack on Russia's Nord Stream pipelines. We hear from James Waterhouse in Kyiv and Mark Urban, and get the latest update on the 'stalemate' war. Olga from Kherson tells us about life under Russian occupation and one year after liberation.
The podcast highlights the ongoing dangers and tensions in Ukraine despite the reduced international spotlight, emphasizing the potential consequences of conscripted individuals being forced to fight without a clear end date for the military operation.
The podcast discusses the alleged sabotage of the Nord Stream pipeline by a former Ukrainian intelligence agent and the political tensions and potential diplomatic implications arising from the incident, including the upcoming meeting between Presidents Biden and Xi.
Deep dives
Escalation of Conflict in Ukraine
The podcast episode discusses the escalation of conflict in Ukraine, highlighting the recent invasion by Russia and the impact it has had on the country. It mentions the collapse of a Crimean-born singer who was summoned to sign up for the Russian army and the viral videos of his collapse. The podcast raises concerns that conscripted individuals may be forced to fight in Ukraine without a clear end date for the military operation. It also mentions the singer's pro-Ukrainian stance and how it may have influenced the events. The episode emphasizes the ongoing dangers and tensions in Ukraine despite the reduced international spotlight.
Stalemate in the Conflict
Another key point discussed in the podcast is the current stalemate in the conflict. This is highlighted by the commander of Ukraine's forces, General Zaluzhny, who describes the situation as a stalemate due to the balance of power and the state of technology. While both sides are still engaged in fighting and attempting attacks, there hasn't been a major breakthrough in over a year. The podcast mentions the specific regions where Russia and Ukraine are focusing their efforts, with Russia concentrating on the northeast and Ukraine attempting attacks further south.
Allegations of Sabotage and Diplomatic Efforts
The podcast episode also delves into allegations of sabotage and the potential consequences for diplomatic efforts. It discusses the suspected involvement of a former Ukrainian intelligence agent in the bombing of the Nord Stream pipeline, which carries gas to Germany. The episode mentions the different theories surrounding the explosions and the political tensions arising from the incident. Additionally, the podcast mentions the upcoming meeting between Presidents Biden and Xi and explores the potential impact of their discussions on the Ukrainian conflict. It raises the possibility of diplomatic options and the desire to bring a resolution to the stalemate.
A new investigation claims a Ukrainian military officer coordinated the attack on Russia's Nord Stream pipelines. But was he acting as a maverick? Or on behalf of Ukraine?
We hear from James Waterhouse in Kyiv and Newsnight’s diplomatic editor Mark Urban, and get the latest update on the "stalemate" war.
And we catch up with Olga, a teacher from Kherson, who has lived through Russian occupation, constant bombardment and floods. She tells us what life was like under Russian occupation and how that compares with life one year after her city was liberated.
Today’s episode is presented by Victoria Derbyshire and Vitaly Shevchenko.
The producers were Keiligh Baker, Arsenii Sokolov, Madeleine Drury and Clare Williamson. The technical producer was Rohan Madison. The series producer is Tim Walklate. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.
Email Ukrainecast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments. You can also send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram to +44 330 1239480
You can join the Ukrainecast discussion on Newscast’s Discord server here: tinyurl.com/ukrainecastdiscord
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