Ukraine: The Latest

Sophia Yan, Senior Foreign Correspondent, dives into the secretive world of arms dealing as she reveals China’s covert supply of drone parts to Russia. The discussion highlights Vladimir Putin's provocative stance on Western peacekeeping troops in Ukraine, labeling them as 'legitimate targets.' Yan elaborates on the ongoing military challenges in Ukraine, including recent counterattacks and the crucial implications of international support. The conversation also touches on rising tensions in the South China Sea, set against the backdrop of Sino-Russian dynamics.

James Kilner, a seasoned Foreign Correspondent with a history reporting from Russia, joins Dominic Nicholls, Associate Editor of Defence, for a deep dive into the latest conflict developments. They discuss Ukraine's aggressive military strategies, including the destruction of a Russian speedboat. The conversation shifts to the Beijing summit, where an intriguing off-mic dialogue between Putin and Xi about immortality reveals underlying tensions. Additionally, they analyze shifting alliances in the South Caucasus and the implications for regional power dynamics.

In a compelling discussion, David Lammy, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, elaborates on the UK’s new sanctions against those involved in the forced deportation and indoctrination of Ukrainian children. He emphasizes the moral obligation to protect these vulnerable individuals amidst ongoing conflict. The conversation also touches on the significant military ties between Russia and North Korea, highlighted during a recent Beijing parade. This geopolitical backdrop underscores the urgency of international accountability in the face of rising tensions.

Garth Corfield, a Transport Correspondent at The Telegraph and cyber expert, offers insights into current geopolitical tensions stemming from the Russian-Ukraine conflict. He discusses the dramatic GPS jamming incident that forced EU chief Ursula von der Leyen's plane to land, highlighting the implications for air travel safety. Corfield also delves into the latest military strategies, including Ukraine's successful liberation efforts and the evolving cyber threat landscape, which underscores the challenges of misinformation and security.

In this engaging discussion, Professor Phillips O'Brien, a Strategic Studies expert from the University of St Andrews, delves into the grave miscalculations made by both Ukraine and Russia throughout the conflict. He critiques Europe's approach to peace negotiations and highlights the controversial idea of Trump deploying a private army to aid Ukraine. The conversation also touches on the implications of a pivotal meeting involving China, Russia, and India, and examines the military dynamics at play, including the necessity for Europe to ramp up its defense strategies.

Day 1,283.Today, we continue reporting on the attack on Kyiv, which Zelensky called “a strike by Russia against President Trump”, and we hear about the work the State Emergency Services have been doing on the ground. We also discuss how Russia may be flying surveillance drones over Germany, gathering intelligence for potential sabotage campaigns, and how India’s imports of Russian oil may increase in September despite US sanctions. Later, we hear about the food industry in Ukraine and its role in the war.Contributors:Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist and Producer). @adeliepjz on X.Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.With thanks to Ed Matthews (Fire Aid and Brave Minds) and author Felicity Spector.Content Referenced:International Institute for Strategic Studies paper: The Scale of Russian Sabotage Operations Against Europe’s Critical Infrastructurehttps://www.iiss.org/research-paper/2025/08/the-scale-of-russian--sabotage-operations--against-europes-critical--infrastructure/Latika’s fundraiser for Ukrainian Actionhttps://www.justgiving.com/page/latikambourke-ukrainian-action?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CLStick your sanctions where the sun doesn’t shine, Ukraine drone chief tells Hungaryhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/08/28/ukraine-drone-chief-hungary-sanctions-russia-ol-pipeline/Deadlines, delusions, and ballistic missiles: Trump's theater of peace talks with Putinhttps://kyivindependent.com/as-ukraine-endures-new-attacks-western-leaders-pursue-peace-talks-with-little-hope-of-progress/?mc_cid=3857e94bad&mc_eid=4a5b852913Fire Aidwww.fire-aid.orgBrave Minds Ukrainewww.bravemindsua.comhttps://tinyurl.com/winhelmetBread and Warhttps://tinyurl.com/breadwarSIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/  Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers.Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anna Conkling, an independent journalist based in Kyiv, shares gripping firsthand accounts of the recent Russian strike that claimed at least 17 lives and damaged significant institutions. Ed Matthews from Fire Aid discusses the crucial role of emergency responders and volunteers in the aftermath of such attacks. They explore Ukraine's strategy to target Russian oil refineries, the importance of international support amidst rising tensions, and the resilience of the Ukrainian people as they navigate the ongoing chaos and strive to maintain normalcy.

James Rothwell, Berlin Correspondent, dives into the critical issues surrounding Ukraine and Russia. He discusses the U.S. decision to provide air and intelligence support for Ukraine's postwar forces, highlighting the ongoing challenges Ukraine faces amidst Russian territorial gains. The conversation also covers the damaging impacts of recent strikes on Russian oil infrastructure and raises concerns about alarming health trends in the Russian military recruitment, including the recruitment of HIV-positive individuals. The geopolitical landscape continues to shift as tensions escalate.

In this engaging conversation, James Kilner, a Foreign Correspondent with expertise in the Caucasus and Central Asia, discusses the significant impact of Ukrainian strikes that have slashed Russian oil production by a million barrels daily. He also analyzes the diplomatic tensions, including Trump's remarks on Putin's aversion to Zelensky, and China's potential involvement in peacekeeping. Additionally, Kilner comments on cultural controversies like the backlash against Anna Netrebko and the complexities surrounding Russian sports amidst international sanctions.

Yaroslav Azhnyuk, CEO of The Fourth Law, and Oleksandr Kubrakov, advisor to Ukraine's defense minister, join Eric Hauff from Sierra Nevada Corporation and Sebastian Kuhl of Helsing for a lively discussion on drone warfare and AI innovations in military conflict. They explore how necessity is driving rapid advancements in military tech and logistics. The importance of integrating software with hardware in drones is highlighted, along with ethical considerations for autonomous warfare. Ukraine’s evolving strategies showcase the future of defense technology.