Day 1,344.

Today, as the situation around the frontline city of Pokrovsk continues to worsen, we examine Ukraine’s latest wave of deep strikes targeting Russia’s military infrastructure. Then we turn to Brussels, where frustration mounts after European nations failed to agree on how to unlock frozen Russian assets to support Kyiv’s war effort. Then we hear about the motorway some believe could save NATO from Vladimir Putin’s aggression.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Joe Barnes (Brussels Correspondent). @Barnes_Joe on X.

David Blair (Chief Foreign Affairs Commentator). @davidblairdt on X.

WATCH OUR SPECIAL LIVE EPISODE

Link here: https://youtu.be/Mw_lWhp-flU

Questions from the audience are answered in the podcast version, below:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/special-putin-could-strike-london-in-90-minutes-russias/id1612424182?i=1000733450202

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7DKehIQCz24eKK73xjP2e8

Content Referenced:

Battle Lines: Global Health Security episode on bioweapons:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/terror-and-security/battle-lines-global-health-security-podcast/

The motorway that could save Nato from Putin’s aggression (David Blair in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/10/27/motorway-save-nato-putin-aggression/

US to Remove Brigade From Romania, Sources Tell Kyiv Post (Kyiv Post):

https://www.kyivpost.com/post/63159

U.S. intelligence agencies see no sign Russia is ready to compromise on Ukraine (NBC):

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/us-intelligence-agencies-see-no-sign-russia-ready-compromise-ukraine-rcna239645

A Russian Ka-52 helicopter shot down by "friendly fire” (The Insider):

https://theins.ru/news/286277

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

Day 1,343.

Today, as the fierce battle for Pokrovsk rages on – with Russian troops now inside the city and 15 armoured vehicles destroyed on its outskirts – we report on the dramatic destruction of a dam in Russia that has cut off Moscow’s forces inside Ukraine. Later, we speak to one of the leading architects behind the Western initiative to seize $300 billion in frozen Russian state assets, exploring how close this unprecedented move is to becoming reality – and what it could mean for the future of the war.

Contributors:

Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist and Producer). @adeliepjz on X.

Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.

With thanks to campaigner, journalist and entrepreneur Hugo Dixon.

WATCH OUR SPECIAL LIVE EPISODE

Link here: https://youtu.be/Mw_lWhp-flU

Questions from the audience are answered in the podcast version, below:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/special-putin-could-strike-london-in-90-minutes-russias/id1612424182?i=1000733450202

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7DKehIQCz24eKK73xjP2e8

Content Referenced:

Ukraine floods Russian troops in dam strike (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/27/russian-troops-cut-off-flooding-ukraine-hits-belgorod-dam/

Inside Ukraine’s fortress belt, where Nato doctrine no longer applies (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/27/trump-freeze-frontlines-trouble-ukraine/

Western drones are underwhelming on the Ukrainian battlefield (The Economist):

https://www.economist.com/europe/2025/10/23/western-drones-are-underwhelming-on-the-ukrainian-battlefield

Russian army committing murder in Ukraine: Independent rights commission (UN report):

https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/10/1166189

Kyiv wants to cash in on OnlyFans creators’ unpaid taxes. There’s just one problem: making porn is illegal in Ukraine (Meduza):

https://meduza.io/en/feature/2025/10/08/turning-me-into-a-criminal

Ukraine's OnlyFans Paradox: Tax the Sin, Punish the Sinner (Iuliia Mendel’s Substack):

https://iuliiamendel.substack.com/p/ukraines-onlyfans-paradox-tax-the

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

Day 1,342.

Today, after a weekend of Russian bombardments on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities – with fires killing multiple civilians – we examine Moscow’s failed diplomatic bid to block Donald Trump’s latest sanctions on Russian energy. Then we consider how Vladimir Putin’s unveiling of a “next-generation” cruise missile reveals growing unease in the Kremlin. Later, we sit down with Ukrainian historian Serhii Plokhy, to discuss the Cold War arms race, and how Kyiv could have retained nuclear weapons after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Please note this episode features distressing recordings from the bombardment on Kyiv, including sounds of incoming drones.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.

With thanks to Ukrainian historian Serhii Plokhy. @SPlokhy on X.

WATCH OUR SPECIAL LIVE EPISODE

Link here: https://youtu.be/Mw_lWhp-flU

Questions from the audience are answered in the podcast version, below:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/special-putin-could-strike-london-in-90-minutes-russias/id1612424182?i=1000733450202

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7DKehIQCz24eKK73xjP2e8

LINKS

Serhii Plokhy’s new book, ‘The Nuclear Age: An Epic Race for Arms, Power and Survival’:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nuclear-Age-Epic-Power-Survival/dp/0241582865

‘Will I die?’ Moment nursery children rescued after Russian strike (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/25/will-i-die-moment-nursery-children-rescued-russian-strike/

Russia’s latest attempt to woo the US reeks of desperation (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/27/kirill-dmitriev-russia-donald-trump-marco-rubio-putin/

Russians circling around Trump to sway his mind, warns key ally (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/10/25/russians-circling-around-trump-to-sway-his-mind-key-ally/

At least 250 Russians in Pokrovsk, Ukrainian troops walk 10-15 km to reach positions (Ukrainska Pravda):

https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/10/24/8004333/

Europe’s Plan B for Ukraine (POLITICO):

https://www.politico.eu/newsletter/brussels-playbook/Europes-Plan-B-for-Ukraine/

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