Moscow on lockdown amid largest drone attack of the war & ‘the phone call that saved me from certain death’

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:Exclusive: Why Iran's new leader survived & how to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Iran: The Latesthttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/exclusive-why-irans-new-leader-survived-how-to-reopen/id1712903296?i=1000755619719United 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-17049Exclusive: Ukraine has few options if Hungary keeps EU funding frozen, Kyiv Independenthttps://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 Independenthttps://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 Independenthttps://kyivindependent.com/russia-uneasy-as-trumps-envoy-quietly-courts-moscows-closest-ally/Oscar-nominated ‘Mr. Nobody Against Putin’ exposes Russian passivity, Kyiv Independenthttps://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 [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 1,484.Today, as Russian casualty figures continue to climb, we ask whether Moscow’s long-anticipated spring offensive has already begun. We also return to the situation in Moscow, where Vladimir Putin has been absent from public view for several days, as a formerly loyal supporter issues a dramatic call for the Russian president to step down. Then we examine the significance of comments by the CIA director on Moscow’s involvement with Iran, before speaking to one of Britain’s leading historians of strategy about where the war now stands – and the key mistakes made by both Russia and Ukraine.Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.With thanks to historian Professor Sir Lawrence Freedman.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:Sir Lawrence Freedman’s book, ‘On Strategists and Strategy: Collected Essays, 2014-2024’:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Strategists-Strategy-Collected-Essays-2014-2024-ebook/dp/B0F7GFDDNF Jürgen Habermas, eminent philosopher who sought to help Germany overcome its postwar spiritual ruin (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2026/03/15/jurgen-habermas-eminent-german-spiritual-philosopher/ Ukraine agrees to pump Russian oil to Hungary to secure EU loan (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/03/18/ukraine-agrees-pump-russian-oil-to-hungary-secure-eu-loan/ ‘Put him on trial’: pro-Kremlin loyalist turns on Putin in rare outburst (The Guardian):https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/18/pro-kremlin-loyalist-turns-on-putin-ilya-remeslo-russia?CMP=share_btn_url Russia unveils plans to resettle occupied Ukrainian territories, media reports (Kyiv Independent):https://kyivindependent.com/russia-unveils-plans-to-resettle-occupied-ukrainian-territories-media-reports/?mc_cid=6dd8571311&mc_eid=08d0680a95 Two shipments of Russian oil and gas head to Cuba in defiance of US (Financial Times):https://www.ft.com/content/bdb055d0-62c3-445c-ba89-349c63c82c1f?syn-25a6b1a6=1 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 1,483.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/jameshewittZelensky’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 [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 1,482.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 [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 1,481. 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 [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 1,478.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.