‘Russian-made drones’ fired by Iran as Middle East war escalates & shadow fleet tanker explodes in Mediterranean

Day 1,478.Today, as President Zelensky arrives in France for talks with Emmanuel Macron, Britain’s Defence Secretary claims the “hidden hand” of Vladimir Putin is behind Iranian drone strikes targeting British troops and allied forces in the Middle East. We report on Washington’s move to further ease sanctions on Russia by allowing all countries – not just India – to purchase Russian oil, a decision Britain’s Energy Minister warns could help the Kremlin stabilise its struggling economy. We also bring an unusual story from Moscow, where a man’s love of Domino’s Pizza has led to a three-year court battle. And later, our regular update on resistance activity in the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine with Dr Jade McGlynn of King’s College London.Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.Dr Jade McGlynn (War Studies Department at King’s College, London).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:Russia accused of systematic abduction of children (Francis in The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/03/12/russia-accused-systematic-abduction-ukrainian-children/ Trump is wrong to release Russian oil, says Merz (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/03/13/trump-is-wrong-to-release-russian-oil-says-merz/ Russian with Domino’s tattoo loses right to free pizza for life (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/03/12/russian-with-dominos-tattoo-loses-right-to-free-pizza/ Putin’s ‘hidden hand’ behind attack on British troops (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/03/12/iranian-drones-attack-british-military-base-erbil-iraq/ SBU thwarts Russian plot to assassinate Third Army Corps Commander Biletsky (Hromadske):https://hromadske.ua/en/war/260757-rosiyskyy-ahent-hotuvav-ubyvstvo-komandyra-tretyoho-armiyskoho-korpusu-biletskoho-pid-chas-yoho-vizytu-na-front‘The Russians are coming (again!) (The Russia Desk):https://desk-russie.eu/2026/03/10/les-russes-arrivent-encore.html Articles referenced by Dr Jade McGlynn:‘Capturing the minds: The role of child deportation in maintaining Russian authority over Ukraine’s occupied territories’ by Jade McGlynn and Anastasiia Romaniuk – https://tinyurl.com/36jva5aj Carnegie article – https://carnegieendowment.org/russia-eurasia/politika/2026/02/ukraine-elections-preparationUN DOCUMENTS ON STOLEN CHILDREN:Regular report: https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/hrbodies/hrcouncil/sessions-regular/session61/advance-version/a-hrc-61-61-auv.pdf Session reports: https://www.ohchr.org/en/hr-bodies/hrc/regular-sessions/session61/list-reports Conference room paper on children deportations: https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/hrbodies/hrcouncil/sessions-regular/session61/a-hrc-61-crp-8.pdf 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 [email protected] . 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 1,477.Today, as one of Russia’s largest oil facilities is struck in a Ukrainian attack and the war in Iran continues to sow chaos on global energy markets, we examine growing pressure on European governments to ease sanctions on Russia – just as US representatives meet one of Vladimir Putin’s chief economic advisers. Alongside the updates, we bring you a special exclusive interview with one of the authors of a groundbreaking United Nations report on the Ukrainian children taken to Russia, concluding that a permanent member of the Security Council is systematically committing crimes against humanity.Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.With thanks to Pablo de Greiff – Commissioner of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine at the United Nations.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/channel/UCdHjleMvPSs-JEjiQ8_D2cACONTENT REFERENCED:UN DOCUMENTS ON STOLEN CHILDREN:Regular report: https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/hrbodies/hrcouncil/sessions-regular/session61/advance-version/a-hrc-61-61-auv.pdf Session reports: https://www.ohchr.org/en/hr-bodies/hrc/regular-sessions/session61/list-reports Conference room paper on children deportations: https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/hrbodies/hrcouncil/sessions-regular/session61/a-hrc-61-crp-8.pdf EU weighs lifting Russia sanctions against oil trader Niels Troost (Financial Times):https://www.ft.com/content/30eabb8f-cd46-4549-b84a-ad5273269920EMAIL US:Contact the team on [email protected] . 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 1,476.Today, as US envoy Steve Witkoff says “we can take them at their word” after Russia denies sharing intelligence about American forces with Iran – before adding “let’s hope they’re not sharing” – we examine the latest tensions between Washington, Moscow and Tehran. We also analyse a Ukrainian deep-strike operation that raised fresh questions about Russian air defences after a loitering drone was able to film the attack. Then we bring updates on Ukrainian counterattacks in the south, where two operations now appear to have pushed around 10 kilometres into Russian lines, and hear a final dispatch from Adélie in Ukraine. Later, we speak to former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen.Contributors:Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.With thanks to former NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen and Roland Oliphant.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/channel/UCdHjleMvPSs-JEjiQ8_D2cACONTENT REFERENCED:'I am no spy': Courier in Russian exploding parcels plot against UK talks to BBC (BBC):https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cpd83zwqlvno Kremlin backs covert campaign to keep Viktor Orbán in power (Financial Times):https://www.ft.com/content/34df20f9-487b-4cb6-9dc9-d676d959d1ed Ukraine makes ‘China-free’ drones (New York Times):https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/11/world/europe/ukraine-drones-china.html Strike on Bryansk, confronting hostile social media: Kremlin spokesman’s remarks (TASS):https://tass.com/politics/2099953EMAIL US:Contact the team on [email protected] . 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 1,475.Today, as President Donald Trump speaks with Vladimir Putin and reportedly offers to ease sanctions on Russian oil amid surging global energy prices linked to his war in Iran, we examine the latest developments on the battlefield as Ukraine claims to have liberated “almost all” of the Dnipropetrovsk region. Then we bring you the latest from Europe, followed by a dispatch from northern Ukraine, where communities continue to endure repeated Russian strikes on the country’s energy infrastructure.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.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/channel/UCdHjleMvPSs-JEjiQ8_D2cACONTENT REFERENCED:An Air-Campaign Primer (Eliot Cohen in The Atlantic): https://www.theatlantic.com/national-security/2026/03/air-campaign-military-primer/686294/?gift=KGDC3VdV8jaCufvP3bRsPqEbYdfKy52g6Ojp5VlDiRo&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=shareX suspends 800m accounts in one year amid ‘massive’ scale of manipulation attempts (The Guardian):https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/mar/09/x-suspends-accounts-massive-scale-manipulation-attempts-russia Ukraine Helps U.S. Bases in the Mideast With Stopping Drones (New York Times):https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/09/world/middleeast/ukraine-shahed-drone-middle-east.html Ministry of Defence changes approach to drone procurement: demand will be generated automatically based on frontline data (MOD):https://mod.gov.ua/en/news/ministry-of-defence-changes-approach-to-drone-procurement-demand-will-be-generated-automatically-based-on-frontline-dataWEEKLY 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 [email protected] . 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 1,474.Today, as Ukrainian counter-drone specialists head to the Middle East to help counter Iranian drone attacks, Vladimir Putin offers “unwavering support” to Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei – a pledge that may come with significant conditions. We examine Russia’s latest mass aerial attack on Ukraine following a pause that raised questions about Moscow’s dependence on Tehran, then report on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico’s warning that Slovakia could follow Hungary in blocking EU funding for Ukraine if Hungary’s Viktor Orbán loses the upcoming election. And later, we bring you highlights from a panel at the Black Sea Security Forum in Odesa discussing misinformation, defence innovation, and the flexibility of the defence industrial sector.Contributors:Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.With thanks to Roman Pohorilyi, co-founder of DeepState, Kurt Volker, former US Ambassador to NATO, and the Black Sea Security Forum.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/channel/UCdHjleMvPSs-JEjiQ8_D2cACONTENT REFERENCED:Vlad the inhaler: Putin coughing fit shown in leaked video (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/03/08/vladimir-putin-coughing-video-leaked/ On the Road With Zelensky, Weathered, Weary and Fighting On (New York Times):https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/09/world/europe/ukraine-zelensky-frontline-tour.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share Ukraine just hit the fuel tank that feeds southern Russia’s pipeline — here’s why this strike hurts more than a refinery fire (Euromaidan):https://euromaidanpress.com/2026/03/08/ukraine-just-hit-the-fuel-tank-that-feeds-southern-russias-pipeline-heres-why-this-strike-hurts-more-than-a-refinery-fire/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 [email protected] . 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 1,471.Today, as the United States asks Ukraine to help intercept Iranian drones over the Gulf, Washington simultaneously removes sanctions on Russian oil trade and votes alongside Moscow against a motion condemning attacks on Ukraine’s nuclear power plants. We assess the deepening diplomatic crisis between Ukraine and Hungary after Kyiv accuses Budapest of detaining seven Ukrainian banking officials and seizing a large stash of gold, and ask whether President Zelensky's sharp response could ultimately strengthen Viktor Orbán’s election campaign. Then, in a special interview, we talk to Roman Trokhymets: a sniper in the Ukrainian Army who fought in several of the major battles we have reported on these past four years.Contributors:Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.Latika Bourke (The Nightly). @LatikaMBourke on X.With thanks to Roman Trokhymets.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/channel/UCdHjleMvPSs-JEjiQ8_D2cACONTENT REFERENCED:Belgian F-16s can carry JDAMs and AIM-120Ds — but Ukraine cannot use them yet (Euromaidan):https://euromaidanpress.com/2026/03/05/belgian-f-16s-can-carry-jdams-and-aim-120ds-but-ukraine-cannot-use-them-yet/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 [email protected] . 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 1,470.Today, as the Pentagon and at least one Gulf state are revealed to be in talks with Kyiv to buy Ukrainian-made interceptors to fend off attacks by Iranian drones, we look at the latest expansion of the Russian armed forces, before looking at what Moscow is telling its population about the war in the Middle East. Then we bring you an exclusive interview with the French Ambassador to Ukraine to hear how prepared they are for boots on the ground.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 the French Ambassador to Ukraine, Gaël Veyssière.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/channel/UCdHjleMvPSs-JEjiQ8_D2cACONTENT REFERENCED:France and Germany dash Ukraine’s hopes of fast-track EU membership (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/03/04/france-germany-dash-ukraines-hopes-fast-track-eu-membership/ Putin is failing: these charts prove it (Washington Post): https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/03/04/russia-ukraine-war-territorial-gains-putin/ Anniversary of the occupation of the ZNPP: sanctions should cover the entire Rosatom ecosystem (dixigroup):https://dixigroup.org/richniczya-okupaczi%D1%97-zaes-sankczi%D1%97-mayut-ohopiti-vsyu-ekosistemu-rosatoma/ Exclusive: Ukraine's F-16 jets were starved of US-made missiles for weeks (Reuters):https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/ukraines-f-16-jets-were-starved-us-made-missiles-weeks-2026-03-05/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=Social Pentagon eyes Ukrainian interceptor drones to counter Iran (Financial Times):https://www.ft.com/content/d077e9c6-1573-46dc-8658-3db3aaf7cdfb?shareType=nongift Ukraine Unbroken: 5 short plays by acclaimed writers about Ukraine’s resilience, now on at the Arcola Theatre in London until March 28::www.arcolatheatre.com 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 [email protected] . 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 1,469.Today, as questions are directed at the Kremlin after Russian components were reportedly found in the wreckage of a drone that struck Dubai, we examine President Volodymyr Zelensky’s proposal to swap US-made Patriot air defence missiles for Ukrainian interceptor drones to counter Iranian and Russian weapons. We report on the latest explosion involving a Russian shadow fleet tanker in the Mediterranean Sea, and bring you the view from Brussels as European Union member states appear to push back against the European Commission’s fast-track proposals for Ukrainian EU membership.Contributors:Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.Joe Barnes (Brussels Correspondent). @Barnes_Joe 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/channel/UCdHjleMvPSs-JEjiQ8_D2cACONTENT REFERENCED:What the Iran war means for Ukraine (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/03/04/iran-war-consequences-for-ukraine-russia-conflict/ Zelensky floats swapping Patriot missiles for interceptor drones amid increased Iranian Shahed threat (The Telegraph):https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-floats-swapping-patriot-missiles-for-interceptor-drones-amid-increased-iranian-shahed-threat/ EU urges Ukraine to allow access to pipeline carrying Russian oil (Financial Times):https://www.ft.com/content/8f5f18fb-311d-4df0-805c-063b292506b3 Russian tanker ‘hit by drone’ in Mediterranean (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/03/04/russian-tanker-hit-by-drone-in-mediterranean/ 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 [email protected] . 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 1,468.Today, as war in the Middle East escalates and Putin attempts to position Russia as a potential peace broker, we examine Zelensky’s claim that if Gulf States pressure Moscow towards a ceasefire in Ukraine, Kyiv could offer air defence support in return. We analyse claims that Ukraine captured more territory in February than Russia, and assess France’s extraordinary shift in its nuclear posture and what it means for European security. Then we bring you a dispatch from Adélie in Irpin, and speak to an elections expert to debate whether Ukraine can realistically hold presidential elections in the event of a ceasefire.Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @adeliepjz on X.With thanks to Ben Graham Jones.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://youtu.be/UJebwNfLBwYCONTENT REFERENCED:Listen and watch ‘Iran: The Latest’, covering events in the Middle East:https://linktr.ee/IranTheLatestYou can learn more and contact Ben Graham Jones at:https://www.bengjones.com/about-ben Propaganda Video from Africa:https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/NCZ0YSyWVhk Zelensky offers to save Gulf states –⁠ if they stop Putin (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/03/03/zelensky-offers-to-save-gulf-states-iran-war-putin-drones/ Ukraine captured more territory than it lost to Russia over February 2026, Syrskyi says (Kyiv Independent):https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-captured-more-territory-than-it-lost-to-russia-over-febraury-2026-syrskyi-says/ I Can Buy a British Election for $25m: Here’s How (Andy Pryce for CEPA):https://cepa.org/article/i-can-buy-a-british-election-for-25m-heres-how/ 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 [email protected] . 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 1,467.Today, as the world reacts to escalating conflict in the Middle East and the devastating use of attack drones against civilian areas, we examine how Donald Trump’s confrontation with Iran could impact Russia’s war in Ukraine and the strategic calculations in both Kyiv and Moscow. We report on the latest shadow fleet tanker boarding operation linked to sanctions enforcement against Russia, and bring you an update from Adélie in Kyiv. And later, we feature a panel recorded at the Black Sea Security Forum in Odesa, with former Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States Valeriy Chalyi, former US Ambassador to Ukraine William Taylor, and former Italian Senator and Deputy Foreign Minister Gianni Vernetti, discussing transatlantic security and the future of Ukraine.Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @adeliepjz on X.With thanks to former Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States Valeriy Chalyi, former US Ambassador to Ukraine William Taylor, and former Italian Senator and Deputy Foreign Minister Gianni Vernetti.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:Our sister podcast ‘Battle Lines’, covering events in Iran and the Middle East:https://linktr.ee/BattleLines What Khamenei’s death means for Russia and China (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/03/01/what-khamenei-death-means-for-russia-and-china/ Oil surges to seven month high as Iran war hits supply (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2026/03/01/opec-moves-to-cash-in-on-iran-crisis-as-oil-prices-surge/ Sunak to advise Zelensky on economy (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2026/02/27/rishi-sunak-advise-volodymyr-zelensky-ukraine-economy/ 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 [email protected] . 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.