Battleground

Welcome to a special edition of Battleground Ukraine. With Saul and Roger absent, producer James Hodgson joins Patrick to dissect the significant non-event of the week: Vladimir Putin's failure to appear at the first face-to-face talks between Russia and Ukraine in over three years – talks ironically initiated by Putin himself. What does Putin's no-show, and subsequently President Zelensky's absence, alongside a potential visit that never materialised from Donald Trump, tell us about the prospects for peace? While low-level delegations convene with limited authority, is this still a crucial moment in the ongoing conflict? If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - battlegroundukraine@gmail.com Producer: James Hodgson X: @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Joining Saul on this week's Battleground '45 is bestselling author and award winning filmmaker, Phil Craig. Together they delve into the deeply thought-provoking narrative of Phil's new book "1945: The Reckoning." They explore the bitter divisions within families, like the one in India torn between supporting the Raj and fighting for independence with the Japanese. Uncover the little-known and often brutal campaigns in Borneo and Indochina, revealing the uncomfortable truths behind the Allied victory and the struggle to reimpose colonial rule. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - battlegroundukraine@gmail.com Producer: James Hodgson X: @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this Battleground Ukraine special we take you back to our last trip to Ukraine where Saul and Patrick sat down with friend of the podcast Colonel Pavlo Khazan, in his home in Kyiv. They discuss his current role in the Ukrainian armed forces with unmanned systems and electronic warfare, what his feelings are on the prospect of a peace deal, and how he views Ukraine's future. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - battlegroundukraine@gmail.com Producer: James Hodgson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Battleground Ukraine, Roger Moorhouse and Patrick Bishop analyse Ukraine's reported downing of Russian jets with naval drones, in what has been called a military first. They also look at Russia's three day ceasefire request, Ukrainian drone attacks on Moscow, and the shifting international focus amidst new global tensions. Plus, a cyber update and your questions answered. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - battlegroundukraine@gmail.com Producer: James Hodgson X: @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Battleground 45, we have a powerful conversation about resilience, hope, and the enduring strength of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable darkness. Saul is joined by Wendy Holden the author of Born Survivors and together they discusses the incredible true stories of Priska, Rachel, and Anka, three pregnant women who defied the odds to survive Auschwitz and other Nazi atrocities. Their secret pregnancies, a miraculous twist of fate, and the kindness of strangers paved the way for their survival and the birth of their children. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - battlegroundukraine@gmail.com Producer: James Hodgson X: @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Battleground Ukraine, Patrick is back and together he and Saul delve into the latest news from Ukraine, starting with a look at the details and implications of the newly signed strategic minerals deal between the US and Ukraine. They discuss how this agreement aims to incentivise US investment, and the surprising language it uses regarding Russia's aggression. Could this deal be a crucial step towards a broader settlement, or even to Trump turning on the US supplies? They are also joined by Edward Lucas, Times columnist and security expert with a particular interest in Russia, who shares his analysis of the conflict. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - battlegroundukraine@gmail.com Producer: James Hodgson X: @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Battleground '45 Saul and Roger discuss the Battle of Berlin, the final, bloody showdown for the Nazi capital. Together they delve into the huge Red Army offensive and the desperate German resistance, but also shed light on the dramatic final days of Adolf Hitler and his inner circle within the besieged Führerbunker, in what was a chaotic end to the Third Reich, both above and below ground. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - battlegroundukraine@gmail.com Producer: James Hodgson X: @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Battleground Ukraine, Saul David and Roger Moorhouse dissect the dramatic unraveling of the Trump administration's proposed 7-point peace plan. With a controversial Easter truce riddled with violations, and a deal that many see as a betrayal of Ukraine, the stakes couldn't be higher. Together they examine the plan's key points, ask if this is a win for Putin, a strategic manoeuvre by Trump, or a devastating blow to Ukraine's sovereignty?If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - battlegroundukraine@gmail.comProducer: James HodgsonX: @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Explore the historic handshake between American and Soviet soldiers at the Elbe River in 1945, marking a pivotal moment in the fight against Nazi Germany. Discover the emotional weight of this encounter and its foreshadowing of Cold War tensions. Dive into the strategic decisions shaping the race for Berlin and the divergent plans for post-war Germany, reflecting the conflicting ambitions of Churchill and Stalin. This episode unpacks the dramatic political implications that emerged as the Allies negotiated their future in a divided Europe.

Boldiszar Gyori, a Hungarian war reporter, shares gripping firsthand insights from the front lines of Ukraine. He discusses the groundbreaking shift of women entering coal mining, a first since WWII, as they step up to fill roles left by the draft. This transition challenges gender norms and brings emotional strain to families. Gyori also elaborates on the complexities of military tactics and the evolving landscape of mine clearance in war-torn regions, revealing how the conflict is reshaping society.