Day 1,241.

Today, further to the usual military and political updates, we discuss a major coordinated announcement exposing senior Russian intelligence officers responsible for some of the most significant operations against Ukraine and its allies in recent years, then hear more about Moscow’s illegal operations in the occupied territories.

Contributors:

Roland Oliphant (Senior Foreign Correspondant). @RolandOliphant on X.

Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Dr. Jade McGlynn (War Studies Department of King's College). @DrJadeMcGlynn on X.

Content Referenced:

Unmasked: The Russian spies who targeted Britain on Putin’s orders (Joe Barnes in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/18/russian-spies-targeted-britain-unmasked-putin/

Ukraine invites foreign defense companies to test weapons on the battlefield (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-invites-foreign-defense-companies-to-test-weapons-on-the-battlefield/?mc_cid=5a0f6966b6&mc_eid=08d0680a95

SIGN 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.

NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:

The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them. Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatest

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,240.

Today, as Russia continues to target civilians, dropping a bomb on a shopping center, NATO members admit to being taken by surprise by Trump’s announcement that they would have to buy a Patriot missile system for Ukraine. Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz comes to the UK to discuss defence, and Ukraine names Yulia Svyrydenko new prime minister. Finally, our colleague Danielle Sheridan interviews former head of the British Army General Sir Patrick Sanders.

Photo for illustrative purposes. A Russian Mi-8 military helicopter flies near the town of al-Qahtaniyah, Syria, on Feb. 4, 2021. (Delil Souleiman / AFP via Getty Images)

Contributors:

Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Reporter and Producer). @adeliepjz on X.

Danielle Sheridan (Defence Editor). @SheridanDani on X.

With thanks to General Sir Patrick Sanders, former head of the British Army.

Content Referenced:

Starmer and Merz find their happy place: War, Politico

https://www.politico.eu/article/keir-starmer-friedrich-merz-war-uk-germany-europe-defense-security-missiles-donald-trump-ukraine/

Trump promised Patriots for Ukraine. Now Europe has to provide them, Reuters

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-celebrates-trumps-weapons-reversal-devils-details-2025-07-16/

'Prepare for war with Russia by 2030' says ex-army chief Gen Sir Patrick Sanders, Battle Lines, The Telegraph

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiK4YIowwTM&list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dk&index=1

SIGN 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.

NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:

The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them. Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatest

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,239.

Today, as mass attacks struck Ukraine overnight, we continue analysing the latest developments from Washington as Trump, when probed by reporters, seemed to shy away from the promises he’d made to Zelensky on July 4th. Finally, we have a conversation with Ukrainian Cultural Forces on the role of music in cultural diplomacy and in rehabilitation for wounded soldiers.

Contributors:

Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Reporter and Producer). @adeliepjz on X.

Joe Barnes (Brussels Correspondent). @Barnes_Joe on X.

Content Referenced:

Cultural Forces of Ukraine:

https://culturalforces.org/en/

Donald Trump asked Volodymyr Zelenskyy if Ukraine could hit Moscow, say people briefed on call (Financial Times)"

https://www.ft.com/content/b66f03b5-e295-4f8c-92ba-516a527d588c

In squeezing Putin, Trump 'escalates to de-escalate' (Washington Post):

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/07/14/trump-ukraine-war-missiles-russia-arms-package/

SIGN 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/ukrainethelatest

Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.