Battleground

In this episode of Battleground: Ukraine - Saul and Patrick speak from the political heart of Ukraine - Independence Square in central Kyiv, where they discuss their first thoughts and observations of the Ukrainian capital, before having to rush to shelter as Russian Missiles enter the skies of Kyiv.Saul also speaks to Joshua Darnell - an American volunteer in the Ukrainian Army, who describes some of his experiences and the importance of continuing support for Ukraine.If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - battlegroundukraine@gmail.comProducer: James Hodgson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The podcast discusses the Ukrainian counter-offensive against Russia, highlighting the intense fighting and challenges. It also explores Chechnya's reputation and President Zelensky's battle against corruption. The efforts to combat corruption in Ukraine are examined, as well as living conditions in eastern Ukraine. The strategies and impact of the Ukrainian forces on Russian artillery are discussed, revealing that over half of the Russian artillery has been destroyed.

The hosts discuss their impressions of Lviv and the resilience of Ukrainians. They talk about ongoing air raids, the need for more military equipment, and the experiences of Ukrainian soldiers in the East. They also mention the Armenian diaspora and a new battalion trained for the offensive.

Saul and Patrick are currently on the road in Poland on their way to a long overdue tour of Ukraine - where they’ll be meeting up with some old friends of the podcast and making some new ones. They look back at the previous week where there have been some interesting developments on the diplomatic front, Ukrainian cross river operations, and a remarkable North Korean Cyber attack on... Russia.If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - battlegroundukraine@gmail.comProducer: James Hodgson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Joining Patrick and Saul for this week's big interview is Professor of Military History at Birmingham University - Jonathan Boff, who specialises in the First World War. He discusses the collapse of the Russian Army during the First World War, draws comparisons between the Russian army back then and now, and discusses how reparation payments may play out after this current conflict is over.If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - battlegroundukraine@gmail.comProducer: James Hodgson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week Saul and Patrick consider recent Ukrainian gains on the battlefield, the ramping up of Ukrainian drone strikes on targets inside Russia and in the Black Sea, including high rise office buildings in Moscow. They also discuss Russia’s response to pulling out of the Black Sea grain deal and the latest coming out of Belarus - where the Wagner saga rumbles on.If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - battlegroundukraine@gmail.comProducer: James Hodgson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join us for the second part of our extraordinary interview with Aiden Aslin - the British national captured by Russian forces after the siege of Mariupol. In this part of his gripping story he describes the brutality of his time in captivity, where he was violently beaten and was forced to conduct recorded video interviews for propaganda purposes, before finally, he was released as part of a prisoner swap deal.If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - battlegroundukraine@gmail.comProducer: James HodgsonTwitter: @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Saul and Patrick reflect on what has been a busy week both on and off the battlefield. They discuss the significance of Zelnsky’s statement that the Ukrainian counteroffensive may increase in tempo. They also reflect on Igor Girkin’s arrest and whether it could be part of a wider crack down by Putin on Russian ultra-nationalists. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - battlegroundukraine@gmail.comProducer: James HodgsonTwitter: @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode Saul and Patrick speak to Briton Aiden Aslin, who travelled to Ukraine in 2018 and enlisted with the Ukrainian 36th Naval Infantry Brigade. He describes his time on the frontlines in the Donbas before the full scale invasion was launched in February 2022, when he was deployed to Mariupol. Aiden was then surrounded by Russian forces in the Siege of Mariupol where he describes what it was like in the vast steel works complex in the final days of the siege before his surrender to Russian troops.Join us next week for the second half of Aiden's interview when he describes his time in Russian captivity.If you have any thoughts or questions, send them to battlegroundukraine@gmail.com.Producer: James HodgsonTwitter: @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Analysing a notable week in the war in Ukraine, Saul and Patrick discuss the significance of Ukraines second spectacular attack on the Kerch Bridge, the unrest in the Russian military leadership that has led to multiple sackings and removals, and some further discussion on the use of cluster munitions - whether their effectiveness outweighs the questionable moral implications.If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - battlegroundukraine@gmail.comProducer: James HodgsonTwitter: @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices