Day 1,683.

Today, as Putin marks his 74th birthday, Ukraine is hit by deadly attacks exposing Europe’s vulnerability to ballistic missiles and drones. We hear of one proposal being debated in London, before turning to an extraordinary development in Germany: the arrest of the country’s former spy chief on treason charges. Plus, Ukrainian naval drones reportedly strike a tanker near the Russia port city of Sochi, setting it ablaze. Then, updates from our Russia analyst James Kilner: post-election tax raids, growing fears of mobilisation, and the latest of the alleged plague outbreak that prompted several countries to adopt precautionary measures.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

James Kilner (Russia Analyst). @Jkjourno on X.

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Dom’s Panel, ‘Bytes, bots or bayonets: Is Britain ready for the future of warfare?’:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKIdJcsXiqs&t=2977s&pp=0gcJCTUMAYcqIYzv

Kim Jong-un wishes ‘dearest friend’ Putin a happy birthday (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/10/07/kim-jong-un-vladimir-putin-happy-birthday/

Journalist Evan Gershkovich: ‘Being jailed in Russia was pure fear’ (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/10/07/journalist-evan-gershkovich-putin-russia-prison/

MI6 fears German spy chief leaked British secrets (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/10/06/mi6-fears-german-spy-chief-leaked-british-secrets/

Golden naked Trump statue unveiled at European Parliament (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/10/07/golden-naked-donald-trump-statue-european-parliament/

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Huge blaze as naval drone hits oil tanker off Russian resort city Sochi
• Former German spy chief arrested for treason

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