We sit down with Kyrylo Budanov, Ukraine’s youngest-ever spymaster. He is intense, resolute—and oddly charismatic. A world of electrified transport is going to need lots of nickel for batteries. We argue that, environmentally speaking, gathering it from the seafloor clearly beats mining it on land (11:12). And remembering Donald Triplett, the first person ever to be diagnosed with autism (19:25).Additional audio courtesy of “In A Different Key”, inadifferentkeythemovie.comFor full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist, try a free 30-day digital subscription by going to www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer

Kyrylo Budanov, Ukraine’s youngest spymaster, shares insights on his role in the ongoing conflict, highlighting his charismatic leadership style and unconventional tactics against the Kremlin. Hal Hudson discusses the environmental challenges of deep-sea nickel mining, arguing for its potential benefits over traditional land mining in the quest for sustainable energy. The podcast also touches on the life of Donald Triplett, the first person diagnosed with autism, shedding light on historical perceptions and the evolution of mental health awareness.

Kyrylo Budanov, Ukraine's military intelligence chief known for predicting the Russian invasion, shares insights with Oli Carroll, The Economist's Ukraine correspondent. They dive deep into Ukraine's counter-offensive strategies as winter approaches, emphasizing the importance of factual analysis over speculation. Budanov discusses the dynamics of drone warfare and the impact of Western support. Additionally, the conversation touches on Brazil's potential re-legalization of gambling and the influence of TikTok on publishing trends.