Ukraine: The Latest

Day 1,421.Today, as President Zelensky declares a national emergency over the energy crisis triggered by Russian attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure, we ask what Europe’s strategy is now, before examining reports Russia has forced African recruits into suicide missions on the battlefield. Then we assess how events in Iran and Venezuela could reshape global energy prices, and whether those shocks will ultimately help or hinder Vladimir Putin.ContributorsFrancis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Ben Farmer (Africa correspondent). @benfarmer on X.Stephanie Baker(Senior writer at Bloomberg and sanctions expert). @StephaniBaker on X.SIGN UP TO THE ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers.CONTENT REFERENCED:Russia forces African recruits to become suicide bombers (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/01/12/russia-using-africans-cannon-fodder-ukraine/ EU chief diplomat Kallas: World’s woes mean it’s time to start drinking (POLITICO):https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-chief-diplomat-kaja-kallas-state-world-means-time-start-drinking/ EU reveals details on 90 billion 'Ukraine Support Loan' (Kyiv Independent):https://kyivindependent.com/eu-reveals-details-on-90-billion-ukraine-support-loan/?mc_cid=28574c74cc&mc_eid=08d0680a95 Stephanie Baker’s Book: ‘Punishing Putin: The gripping expose of the global economic sanctions against Russia’s war in Ukraine’ – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Punishing-Putin-gripping-economic-sanctions-ebook/dp/B0CWWFJ52GLISTEN TO THIS PODCAST IN NEW LANGUAGES:The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them. Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatestSubscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,420.Today, as reports emerge that a Russian air-defence missile has struck a residential building in the city of Rostov-on-Don, we examine claims that France is pushing to prevent Ukraine from purchasing American weapons, then look at the criminal charges brought against a prominent figure in Ukraine’s modern history. Later, we turn to Moscow’s media landscape to hear how the Russian press is interpreting potentially momentous developments in Iran, Venezuela, and Greenland.ContributorsFrancis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.James Kilner (Russia Analyst). @jkjourno on X.SIGN UP TO THE ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers.CONTENT REFERENCED:France pushes to block Ukraine from buying US weapons (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/01/13/france-blocks-ukraine-from-buying-us-weapons/Starmer poised to hammer out Ukraine peace plan in Davos (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/01/13/starmer-poised-talks-ukraine-peace-deal-davos-war-russia-uk/ Scottish independence accounts go dark after Iran internet blackout (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2026/01/12/scottish-independence-accounts-dark-iran-internet-blackout/America abandoned this Arctic silo 60 years ago. Now, it could solve Nato’s Greenland problem (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/01/13/nuclear-option-america-nato-greenland/ Marco Rubio, Trump's Foreign-Policy Enabler (The New Yorker):https://www.newyorker.com/newsletter/the-daily/marco-rubio-trumps-foreign-policy-enabler Ukraine officially awards lithium deposit to Trump-linked investors, $179 million set for development (Kyiv Independent):https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-to-attract-179-million-u-s-investment-in-key-lithium-deposit/ Ukraine war: UN appeals for $2.3 billion to support aid teams’ ‘heroic work’ (United Nations):https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/01/1166749?_gl=1*15f56p1*_ga*NzU3NDczMzg2LjE3NjgzOTI4NDc.*_ga_TK9BQL5X7Z*czE3NjgzOTI4NDYkbzEkZzAkdDE3NjgzOTI4NDYkajYwJGwwJGgwLISTEN TO THIS PODCAST IN NEW LANGUAGES:The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them. Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatestSubscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,419.Today, as much of Kyiv continues to live without power, so too does a region of Russia, as the United States accuses Moscow of making a mockery of peace through its continued attacks. Then, we explore the emerging phenomenon of so-called ‘dark tourism’ in Ukraine, and what it reveals about how the war is being remembered. Later, in an exclusive interview, we speak to Moldovan President Maia Sandu, who reflects on a tumultuous five years in office – including last year’s dramatic election campaign, which delivered Vladimir Putin one of his most significant political setbacks of the year.ContributorsDominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.Adrian Blomfield (Senior Foreign Correspondent). @adrianblomfield on X.Anna Emmett-Martin (Journalist). With thanks to Moldovan President Maia Sandu.SIGN UP TO THE ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers.CONTENT REFERENCED:Full Exclusive Telegraph Video Interview with Moldovan President Maia Sandu:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRnZUTGo1MI Francis’s Video Documentary on Moldova:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZC5FvDt-u0 Panel with Dr Jack Watling discussing legal avenues for stopping the shadow fleet:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQqHFlA6m6o UN Homepage:https://www.un.org/en/UN Story – Deadly Russian strikes push civilians deeper into winter crisis:https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/01/1166748 Live Blog as Parliament votes on government reshuffle (Kyiv Independent):https://kyivindependent.com/parliament-votes-on-government-reshuffle-live/ Ukraine and Moldova Quietly Cut Off Russia’s Hidden Army at Midnight on New Year’s Day (United 24):https://united24media.com/latest-news/ukraine-and-moldova-quietly-cut-off-russias-hidden-army-at-midnight-on-new-years-day-14932 LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST IN NEW LANGUAGES:The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them. Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatestSubscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,418.Today, as thousands remain without power in Kyiv, we examine President Zelensky’s pledge to carry out more operations “inside” Russia and analyse Moscow’s latest tank and weapons innovations. We then unpack an extraordinary outburst from a Russian spokesperson, who dismissed the “wet dreams of British perverts”, before considering what the fall of Iran’s regime would mean for the war in Ukraine. Later, we return to the issue of Ukraine’s stolen children, with new details on the military training they are being forced to undergo.ContributorsFrancis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist and Producer). @adeliepjz on X.With thanks to Olesia Bida (Journalist, The Kyiv Independent's War Crimes investigations). @olesyabida on X.SIGN UP TO THE ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers.CONTENT REFERENCED:Our sister podcast Battle Lines’ episode discussing flashpoints in 2026:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3aQpnrqUDE UK Defence Secretary John Healey: “I would kidnap Putin” (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/01/10/john-healey-i-would-kidnap-vladimir-putin/ Britain to spend £200m preparing troops for Ukraine (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/01/09/britain-200m-spend-troops-ukraine-deployment/ Russia’s ‘dandelion’ tank armour might just work (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/01/10/russia-bizarre-tank-defences-dandelion-ukraine-war-turtle/ Zelensky hopes reshuffle will give him a better hand at home and away (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/01/11/zelensky-hedges-his-bets-with-cabinet-reshuffle/v Investigating Russia's military camp system for children (Kyiv Independent documentary): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZGmv2EQdGkRussian spies target £70-a-night hotel near Nato HQ (The i):https://inews.co.uk/news/nato-warns-of-russian-spies-4145755 LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST IN NEW LANGUAGES:The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them. Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatestSubscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,415. Today, the world responds to Putin’s latest outrage that has seen a nuclear-capable ballistic missile fired by Russia hit Ukraine just 50km from Nato’s border, with one leading European politician saying the pressure on Putin must now be “turned up to the maximum and made unbearable.” We hear from the man who recently interviewed Oleksandr Kamyshin, a key aide to President Zelensky and get Francis’s final thoughts from Hungary. Later, we interview the commander of Operation Interflex, the British-led military effort to train Ukrainian recruits.ContributorsDominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Lily Shanagher (Foreign Reporter). @LilyShanagher on X.Tom Mutch (Journalist). @Tomthescribe on X.Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.With thanks to Colonel Andrew Boardman (Commanding Officer of Operation Interflex).SIGN UP TO THE ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers.CONTENT REFERENCED:United24Media: Ukraine’s Drone Strikes Hit Up to 100,000 Russian Troops in Late 2025—2026 Plans Aim Higherhttps://united24media.com/war-in-ukraine/ukraines-drone-strikes-hit-up-to-100000-russian-troops-in-late-2025-2026-plans-aim-higher-14798LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST IN NEW LANGUAGES:The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them. Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatestSubscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatestEmail: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.