Episode Details

Day 1,631.

Today, a train in Siberia, said to be carrying ballistic missiles from North Korea, goes up in flames. Then, not to be outdone, a Russian oil terminal near St Petersburg announces it has “completely” shut down following a recent Ukrainian attack. The Starlink spat between Poland and “big man” Elon Musk seems to be cooling and Putin has placed the son of US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr on Russia’s wanted list for fighting in Ukraine. Plus later, we speak to two women brought together by an NGO that helps Ukrainians improve their English – as one of their sons fights on the front line in Ukraine.

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 ENGin volunteers Jane and Anastasia.

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:

Learn more about the ENGin program, which helps Ukrainians of all ages improve their English-language conversation via volunteers worldwide: 

https://www.enginprogram.org/ 

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk

Kremlin hired assassin to murder American on Polish soil, says Tusk (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/13/kremlin-hired-assassin-to-execute-american-on-polish-soil/  

Blast at Rotterdam port energy facility kills one person (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/rotterdam-port-explosion-causes-one-death-police-say-2026-08-13/ 

Putin flexes Moscow’s muscles in the Far East (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/14/putin-flexes-moscows-muscles-in-the-far-east/ 

US armoured brigade pummelled by Ukraine’s drones in wargame (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2026/08/13/us-armoured-brigade-pummelled-ukraine-drones-wargame/ 

Pictured: ‘Russian escort’ accused of assassinating Ukrainian defector (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/13/woman-assassinates-ukrainian-submarine-commander-who-defect/ 

Ukraine offers Russia truce in the Black Sea as food supply fears mount (Reuters)

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