Episode Details

Day 1,627.

Today, after a weekend that may have seen a record number of drones launched across Ukraine and Russia, we examine what it is actually like to endure a ballistic missile attack – and how different that experience is from a drone barrage. Then, as Kyiv and other cities come under constant bombardment from weapons Ukrainian air defences cannot reliably intercept, we assess the arguments made by some that Ukraine’s increasingly ambitious strikes inside Russia could give Vladimir Putin the pretext he needs to mobilise hundreds of thousands more men. We also answer your questions about what Kyiv can realistically do to solve its missile crisis, revealing why President Donald Trump appears to have reversed course over giving Ukraine the blueprints needed to manufacture Patriot missiles.

Contributors: 

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

Antonia Langford (Freelance Journalist in Kyiv). @Antonialford on X.

With thanks to RAND engineer Michael Bohnert. @mbohnert on X.

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

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 Community Page can be found on our YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

Interview with Francis on ‘History in the Making’ Podcast:

Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-war-beyond-the-headlines-a-chat/id1752915858?i=1000780259657

Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/episode/1cOPsUP2JrZZOm8WxHFNao?si=L8UjqLVRRqGLxt6DIWrrSQ&utm_source=copy-link&nd=1&dlsi=1b28971d7531463e 

Ukraine: The Latest interview with WHO’s Dr Jarno Habicht: https://youtu.be/1Ujqi91joMU?si=7j0bfvysNICRjwE1&t=1282v 

Russia bombs Odesa’s city centre (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/09/russia-bombs-odesas-historic-city-centre/ 

Zwei Drohnen über Militärstützpunkt in der Eifel gesichtet (Die Zeit, in German)

https://www.zeit.de/politik/deutschland/2026-08/drohnen-mechernich-militaerstuetzpunkt-bundeswehr-nrw 

Germany’s gas gamble puts Europe’s winter at risk (Politico)

https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-gas-reserve-low-europe-winter-energy/ 

Kosovan police load up with weapons on the Serbian border as tensions rise (Danielle Sheridan for The Telegraph)

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