In 2023, US journalist Evan Gershkovich was meeting a source when he was arrested by the FSB, Russia’s notorious spy agency. It made him the first Western reporter to be held on espionage charges in Russia since the Cold War.

It would take 16 months before he was released in a historic prisoner swap brokered by President Biden - and he is now telling his story.

He speaks to Yalda about how the atmosphere in Russia changed for journalists, as the state tightened media controls over the war in Ukraine.

And he takes us back to the moment of his arrest, which he describes as being lured into a trap in a classic sting operation.

Also, he explains what life was like among political prisoners inside Moscow’s notorious Lefortovo jail - and why asking Vladimir Putin for an interview on his release was an act of defiance.

You can email your questions to Richard and Yalda at theworld@sky.uk. You can also watch our podcasts on the Sky News app and on our YouTube channel here.

We’re introducing Sky News' new podcast – Russell Brand: On Trial

Listen to Russell Brand: On Trial on your podcast app

What happened on Russell Brand’s first day in court as the trial process got underway? Sky News’ Martin Brunt and Katie Spencer take us through the day- inside and outside the court. It starts with queues of journalists arriving early to get a seat on the press benches of court 3 at Southwark Crown Court.

Outside photographers gather to get images of Russell Brand as he walks in with his wife. No broadcast cameras or recording are allowed inside so Katie Spencer - arts and entertainment correspondent for Sky and crime commentator Martin Brunt - are your eyes and ears in court.

The first development: selecting the jury, the people who will decide if Russell Brand is guilty, or not guilty.

He faces three counts of rape, three of sexual assault and one of indecent assault. He denies all charges and the trial continues.

Follow the feed to get every episode.

Email us with your thoughts

skynewspodcasts@sky.uk

Since 2025, NATO has had to scramble fighter jets about 400 times in response to Russian drones or missiles entering its territory. So, is Europe ready to defend itself against Russia?

Richard, recently back from observing NATO exercises in Latvia, speaks to Sky News’ defence and security editor Deborah Haynes about why some European governments are sending out instruction manuals telling people what to do in the event of an attack from Russia.

They also discuss Russia's growing "hybrid attacks", which include tactics such as cyberattacks, sabotage, disinformation, and deniable incursions - that can complicate or divide an Article 5 response, the rule where all NATO members are expected to come to the aid of an ally under attack.

Haynes cites concerns from intelligence officials about possible Russian provocations and also describes her podcast-turned-TV show The Wargame, which models a Russian attack on the UK, exposing limited air defences and the narrow gap between conventional weakness and nuclear escalation.

You can email your questions to Richard and Yalda at theworld@sky.uk

You can watch Richard’s NBC News package on the NATO exercises here.

You can listen to The Wargame podcast here.

For information about Sky's TV adaptation of The Wargame, click here.

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