Ukrainecast Q&A: Tomahawk missiles, the drone race, and Ukrainian Halloween
16 snips
Oct 16, 2025 
Olga Robinson, a BBC Verify journalist focused on the front lines of Ukraine, and Mikey Kaye, a former British military helicopter pilot and security expert, dive into pressing military topics. They discuss the potential game-changing impact of Tomahawk missiles for Ukraine and assess the ongoing effectiveness of drone warfare. Additionally, they explore the current state of Ukrainian counter-offensives, the challenges posed by autumn weather, and the unique ways Ukrainians are preparing for winter and Halloween amid conflict.
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Counterattacks Are Limited In Scope
- Ukrainian counter-attacks are limited and mostly capture small settlements rather than causing major breakthroughs.
- The front remains slow and attritional across a stretched thousand-kilometre line.
Russian Territorial Gains Are Slow
- Institute for the Study of War data shows Russian advances average about 13.5 km² per day.
- That pace is much lower than expected for modern mechanised warfare.
Winterisation Can Halt Whole Units
- Weather and winterisation critically affect operations, grounding equipment without proper anti-icing systems.
- Mikey Kaye warns that lacking inhibitors can freeze fuel and hydraulics, halting brigades or squadrons.