Ukraine: The Latest

8,000 Russian armoured vehicles destroyed & Moscow scooter bomb kills nuclear general

Dec 17, 2024

Hamish De Bretton-Gordon, a former British Army Tank Commander and chemical weapons expert, discusses the shocking assassination of Russian general Igor Kirilov, responsible for nuclear and chemical warfare. He analyzes the implications for the Russian military, which has reportedly lost 8,000 armored vehicles. The conversation also dives into the inspiring resilience of Kharkiv's residents, highlighting a charity's transformation of a metro station into a school for children coping with war. The discourse reflects on the challenges of education amidst conflict and the aspirations of Ukrainian youth.

53:22

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Hamish De Bretton Gordon

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Quick takeaways

The assassination of a high-ranking Russian general signals a critical shift in Ukraine's tactics against Russian military leadership, raising fears among officials about their vulnerability.

Discussions at the Joint Expeditionary Force Summit highlight the urgent need for increased NATO defense spending and the complex implications of Ukraine's potential future membership in the alliance.

Deep dives

Assassination of a Key Russian General

The assassination of Lieutenant General Igor Kirilov, head of Russia's nuclear and chemical weapons division, marks a significant event in the ongoing conflict. Killed in a scooter bomb attack in Moscow, Kirilov was responsible for overseeing military operations that involved the use of banned chemical weapons against Ukraine, leading to him being labeled a war criminal. This incident underscores not only a targeted offensive against high-ranking Russian officials but also highlights the lengths to which Ukraine is willing to go in response to Russian aggression. The assassination has raised concerns regarding the security of Russian officials and has disrupted the morale within their ranks, as they now face the reality of being vulnerable to such attacks.

Intro

2min

The Assassination of Igor Kirilov

15min

Tensions at the Estonia-Russia Border

8min

Russian Military Operations and Kharkiv Resilience

9min

Lessons of Resilience in Wartime Education

17min

Dreams and Aspirations of Youth

2min

Supporting Humanity and Staying Informed: Engagement Opportunities

4min

Day 1,028.

Today, we react to the news that the Russian general in charge of the military’s nuclear and chemical weapons division has been assassinated in a scooter bomb attack, we hear live from the Joint Expeditionary Force summit in Estonia, and we hear our latest dispatch from the frontline city of Kharkiv.

Contributors:

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

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

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

James Rothwell (Berlin Correspondent). @JamesERothwell on X.

With thanks to Jack Leather and Adélie Pojzman-Pontay for photographs, videos, and recordings.

Donate to David's charity:

This Christmas, the Telegraph is honouring the life and work of our late colleague David Knowles by working with Humanity & Inclusion, a charity helping the ill, vulnerable and disabled left behind in Ukraine’s warzones. You can donate here:

https://telegraph.ctdonate.org/

Francis's Article on the Kharkiv underground School, with photos and clips:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/christmas/2024/12/17/inside-kharkivs-underground-school-for-ukrainian-children/

Articles Referenced:

Why Russian blimps appearing on Nato’s border are a message from Moscow (James in The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/12/16/russia-mysterious-blimps-sow-fear-and-confusion-nato-border/

The 500-mile high speed rail line that can carry Nato troops to a war with Russia (James in The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/12/17/rail-baltica-nato-troops-russia-estonia-latvia-lithuania/

Russia’s War Economy Is Hitting Its Limits (Foreign Policy)

https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/11/14/russia-war-putin-economy-weapons-production-labor-shortage-demographics/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

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Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk