Kateryna Stepanenko

Kateryna Stepanenko, a Russia analyst at the Institute for the Study of War, delves into the unsettling effects of returning soldiers from Ukraine on Putin's regime. She discusses how these veterans challenge the Kremlin’s narrative, despite facing censorship and fear. The conversation highlights their growing criticisms shared on social media, suggesting a potential threat to government stability. Kateryna also sheds light on the Kremlin's attempts to co-opt veterans through propaganda, revealing the tension between returning soldiers and state control.

The podcast discusses the ban on Russian athletes at the Asian Games and threats to undersea cables. Updates on the Ukraine-Russia conflict and UK support, vulnerability and importance of undersea cables, fallout from Progosian's death, freedom of access to the internet and recruitment to armed forces, and integration of irregular formations and Russia's mobilization capability.