Day 1,489.

Today, amid confirmation that Vladimir Putin’s spring offensive in Russia’s war in Ukraine has begun, we report on the assaults along the frontline that have driven a sharp rise in Russian casualty figures. We then examine the truth behind growing rumours of unrest and widespread internet outages in Moscow. We also speak to a senior official in the office of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán about allegations that Budapest’s diplomats shared details of European Union meetings with Kremlin officials. And later, we look at the controversial cases of Ukrainians who fought for Russia and are now prisoners of war in Ukraine – asking what drove them to switch sides in the conflict.

Contributors:

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

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

Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.

With thanks to parliamentary state secretary of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s Cabinet Office, Balázs Hidvéghi, and freelance journalist Jen Stoat.

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:

Wave of Russian strikes kill five in Ukraine (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/03/24/wave-of-russian-strikes-kill-five-in-ukraine/

Ukraine strikes Russian oil export hub (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/03/23/ukraine-strikes-russias-largest-baltic-oil-terminal/

Ukraine names Hungarian officer allegedly behind spy network busted in 2025 (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-names-hungarian-officer-allegedly-behind-spy-network-busted-in-2025/

What makes a traitor? Interviews with Ukrainians who fought for Russia reveal how they became Putin’s soldiers (Jen Stout in Prospect):

https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/world/europe/ukraine/72210/what-makes-a-traitor

EMAIL US:

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

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

Day 1,485.

Three days into Russia’s so called ‘spring offensive’, there are barely any advances on the ground yet casualties continue to rise. A Ukrainian delegation is on its way to Washington to resume talks tomorrow after the latest round in the diary was postponed by the war in Iran. Meanwhile the European Union stalls again in providing Ukraine with financial relief.

Contributors:

Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.

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

With thanks to Dr Jack Watling, Senior Research Fellow for Land Warfare at the Royal United Services Institute. @Jack_Watling on X.

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:

United 24: 110-Truck “Humanitarian” Convoy From Central Asia Heads To Iran—But What’s Inside?

https://united24media.com/latest-news/110-truck-humanitarian-convoy-from-central-asia-heads-to-iran-but-whats-inside-17049

Exclusive: Ukraine has few options if Hungary keeps EU funding frozen, Kyiv Independent

https://kyivindependent.com/exclusive-ukraine-has-few-options-if-hungary-keeps-eu-funding-frozen/

We interviewed Iran’s envoy to Ukraine and it was absolutely wild, Kyiv Independent

https://kyivindependent.com/we-interviewed-irans-envoy-in-ukraine-and-it-was-absolutely-wild/

Russia uneasy as Trump's envoy quietly courts Moscow's closest ally, Kytiv Independent

https://kyivindependent.com/russia-uneasy-as-trumps-envoy-quietly-courts-moscows-closest-ally/

Oscar-nominated ‘Mr. Nobody Against Putin’ exposes Russian passivity, Kyiv Independent

https://kyivindependent.com/oscar-nominated-film-shows-russias-enduring-small-person-complex/

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

Our weekly newsletter includes maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons, answers your questions, provides recommended reading, and gives exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights.. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers. Join here – http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter

EMAIL US:

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

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

Day 1,483.

Today, as Russia records its highest daily troop losses of the year in its war against Ukraine, we examine how the head of the Russian armed forces, General Valery Gerasimov, is reportedly presenting outdated battlefield information to Vladimir Putin to suggest the situation at the front remains under control. We report on fears that a damaged Russian shadow fleet tanker drifting in the Mediterranean Sea could trigger an environmental disaster of “unprecedented proportions”, and how President Zelensky has shown live battlefield footage from an iPad to the UK Parliament to illustrate the realities of 21st-century warfare. And later, we hear about the Make A Difference Foundation about its work supporting Ukrainian families displaced by Russia’s invasion, alongside memories from the First Gulf War with two former tank commanders, including the horror of friendly fire.

Contributors:

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

With thanks to former tank commanders Hamish de Bretton-Gordon and James Hewitt.

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:

Learn more about James Hewitt’s Charity & Fundraiser:

https://www.operationsafedrop.com/

Donations Page:

https://www.justgiving.com/page/jameshewitt

Zelensky’s ‘don’t forget about me’ tour exposes panic in Ukraine (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/03/17/volodymyr-zelensky-london-starmer-remember-ukraine/

Stricken Russian tanker heading for environmental disaster (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/03/17/stricken-russian-tanker-heading-for-environmental-disaster/

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

Our weekly newsletter includes maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons, answers your questions, provides recommended reading, and gives exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights.. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers. Join here – http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter

EMAIL US:

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

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

Day 1,482.

Today, as world leaders gather in London, including President Zelensky, we bring you the latest from Moscow following another major Russian aerial bombardment overnight – and examine how the Russian media is reporting the attacks. We also reflect on our questioning Finnish President Alexander Stubb at Chatham House, and what his remarks reveal about Europe’s evolving strategy. And later, we share several stories Adélie was working on from Ukraine, offering insight into life on the ground amid the energy crisis.

Contributors:

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

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

Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.

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

With thanks to Chatham House and Finnish President Alexander Stubb.

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:

Adelie’s Documentary – ‘Defying Putin's bombardments on Ukrainian cities’:

https://youtu.be/xBdZro1rils?si=wHb8DaWNtpHbavJw

Alexander Stubb’s Lecture at Chatham House:

https://www.chathamhouse.org/events/all/standard-event/finlands-president-alexander-stubb-why-europe-needs-flexible-integration

Zelensky’s ‘don’t forget about me’ tour exposes panic in Ukraine (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/03/17/volodymyr-zelensky-london-starmer-remember-ukraine/

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

Our weekly newsletter includes maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons, answers your questions, provides recommended reading, and gives exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights.. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers. Join here – http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter

EMAIL US:

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

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

Day 1,481.

Today, after a massive Russian bombardment across Ukraine – including missile launches from warships in the Black Sea – we assess Kyiv’s latest wave of strikes on Russian energy infrastructure and on Moscow itself. We also examine President Trump’s admission that Vladimir Putin may be supporting Iran’s war effort, and ask whether the easing of sanctions on Russian oil is impacting global energy prices, before hearing about cheating death from above thanks to an unwelcome phone call, and what a single missile strike can do to a town.

Contributors:

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

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

Colin Freeman (Freelance Journalist). @colinfreeman99 on X.

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:

I cheated death in a missile strike in Ukraine. Three years later I returned to the scene (Colin Freeman in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/03/15/kramatorsk-ukraine-missile-attack/

The Mad and the Brave: The Untold Story of Ukraine’s Foreign Legion (Colin’s Book):

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mad-Brave-Untold-Ukraines-Foreign/dp/0008722463

Belgian prime minister calls for EU to normalise ties with Russia (Financial Times):

https://www.ft.com/content/4ce01938-a671-4433-83a7-dada2b3bac01

Sean Penn Wins Best Supporting Actor but Opts for Ukraine, Not the Oscars (New York Times):

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/15/movies/sean-penn-oscars.html

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

Our weekly newsletter includes maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons, answers your questions, provides recommended reading, and gives exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights.. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers. Join here – http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter

EMAIL US:

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

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