Battleground

In this episode of Battleground Ukraine, Saul David and Julius Strauss check in from the bustling Kyiv Railway Station after completing a train journey from Kharkiv. Despite ongoing Russian infrastructure attacks that have heavily impacted the national grid, Ukraine’s rail network continues to prove itself as the resilient, indispensable artery keeping the country moving in wartime.

The hosts explore how Ukraine’s railways have defied Western calls for "efficiency rationalisation"—revealing how their old-school, deep-reserve structure has actually saved them from collapse. They also examine Russia's evolving, aggressive strategy of targeting critical civilian infrastructure and how it measures up against international law.

Diving Deep on Ukraine's Anti-Corruption Battle
In the second half of the episode, the hosts sit down after their remarkably candid conversation with Executive Director of Transparency International Ukraine - Andrii Borovyk to unpack the high-stakes battle against internal corruption—a fight critical to Ukraine's aspirations of joining the European Union.

Key highlights from their discussion include:
The Corruption Perception Index: Where Ukraine stands globally, its notable progress since 2014, and how it dramatically compares to Russia.
The Midas Scandal & Zelenskyy’s Report Card: A look at the $100 million kickback scheme that rocked the administration, the subsequent firing of top advisor Andriy Yermak, and how the expert grades Ukraine's past and present leaders on crushing corruption.
No One Above the Law: Why addressing wartime corruption cannot wait until the conflict ends, even as sectors like customs, energy, and military conscription remain vulnerable.
The Power of the EU carrot: How Ukraine’s deep desire for EU membership serves as the ultimate external driver keeping the nation on its best behaviour.

What's Coming Friday: Don't miss our next episode, featuring an exclusive, boots-on-the-ground report from friend of the show Boldi Gyori, who just spent a week in Kherson—arguably one of the most dangerous frontline cities in Ukraine right now.

Julius Strauss writes the blog Back from the Front and also owns and runs Wild Bear Lodge, a bear-viewing lodge, in Canada. Check out both in the links below:
Substack: https://backfromthefront.substack.com/
Wild Bear Lodge: https://wildbearlodge.ca/
Join the Conversation: If you have a question about the war in Ukraine or any of the conflicts we cover, email us at [email protected]

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Producer: James Hodgson
A Goalhanger Podcast

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"History moves gradually, then suddenly."As Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine crosses a somber milestone—matching the exact duration of the First World War at 1,568 days—co-hosts Saul David and Patrick Bishop analyse what feels like a definitive "hinge moment" in the conflict. This week, the tide is turning rapidly in Ukraine’s favour, driven by an extraordinary and relentless intermediate-range drone campaign that Russia seems entirely incapable of combating.
In part one of this deep dive, Saul and Patrick break down how Ukrainian drone pilots have effectively seized control of critical Russian supply lines, including the vital M14 highway, forcing the Kremlin into a logistical catastrophe. From frontline reports of Russian soldiers reduced to acting as supply mules to panic-buying and fuel rationing in occupied Crimea, the vital organs of the Russian war machine are under heavy fire.
The hosts also examine the broader strategic landscape: Russia's deepening diplomatic isolation following pivotal elections in Armenia, the restructuring of Ukraine’s armed forces into powerful army corps, and the geopolitical chess match behind President Zelenskyy’s latest peace feelers.
Later in the episode, the guys dive into the listener mailbag to answer your questions on:
The psychological and political fallout of a potential large-scale Russian frontline collapse.
How NATO handles Russia's continuous "fuzzy" hybrid provocations and the true threshold of Article 5.
Whether the rapid evolution of cheap drone tech will permanently grounded multi-million dollar fighter jets in future warfare.
Plus, a cyber security update on big tech's shifting role in the war, and a look back at the incredible, viral response to their recent interview with Ukrainian special operations forces operative Katya Ratushna.

Join the Conversation: If you have a question about the war in Ukraine or any of the conflicts we cover, email us at [email protected]
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Producer: James Hodgson
A Goalhanger Podcast

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

As the war in Ukraine enters its fourth year , Europe finds itself facing a monumental geopolitical shift. With the United States under an erratic presidency taking a highly transactional, unpredictable approach to its historic alliances , the transatlantic network that has guaranteed Western security for eighty years is under profound strain. Can Europe truly step up to secure its own future , or is the dream of "strategic autonomy" just a lot of hot air?

In this episode, hosts Patrick Bishop and Roger Moorhouse sit down with historian, author, and political commentator Dr. Helene von Bismarck. Together, they unpack the fragile state of European diplomacy, the erosion of international norms , and the rising tide of populism that threatens to derail Western resolve.
They also dive into Helene’s latest book, Fantastic Kingdom: A Foreigner's Portrait of the United Kingdom. Helene offers a sharp, constructive, yet brutally honest perspective on Britain’s current grand strategic blindness, its inward-looking political debate, and the dangerous intersection between the global security crisis and the domestic crisis of liberal democracy.

In this episode, we discuss:
The Transatlantic Rift: Why European governments—from Berlin to Paris to London—are terrified of a fracturing NATO and how they are struggling to prepare for an unpredictable White House.
The Power of Historical Memory: How ancient rivalries are being rewritten in lockstep cooperation (such as Poland and Germany) , and how visiting a Latvian museum reveals the deep-seated trauma that still shapes European responses to Russia.
The Danger of Stereotypes: How crises like Brexit revive lazy national clichés just when we can least afford them.
The Inward-Looking Kingdom: Helene’s deep disappointment with the current Labor government's fear of bold reform, and why ignoring international affairs to appease domestic populism is a losing strategy for any government.
Security vs. Welfare: Why the modern debate around cutting social spending to fund defence is fundamentally flawed, and why protecting democracy and protecting state security are two sides of the same coin.

Join the Conversation: If you have a question about the war in Ukraine or any of the conflicts we cover, email us at [email protected]
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Producer: James Hodgson
A Goalhanger Podcast
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Patrick and Roger dive into what has officially become the new reality: Ukraine has gained the upper hand in the war against Russia.
We break down the stunning and deeply embarrassing Ukrainian drone strikes on St Petersburg and the Kronstadt naval base—timed perfectly to shatter Vladimir Putin's illusion of stability right as he hosted his flagship economic forum. Not only did these strikes degrade Russia's crucial energy sector, but they successfully sank a Russian Navy corvette, the Boikiy, right in the headquarters of the Baltic Fleet.
As Russia resorts to press-ganging occupied citizens and faces a widening budget deficit due to unsustainable military spending, we ask a critical question: With the US under Donald Trump seemingly losing interest and stepping back, can Europe fill the diplomatic and military vacuum to maintain this forward momentum?
To help answer this, we are joined by renowned historian, author, and political commentator Dr. Helene von Bismarck. We get her expert diplomatic perspective on a weakening Russia, a strengthening Ukraine, and what comes next for European security.
Join the Conversation: If you have a question about the war in Ukraine or any of the conflicts we cover, email us at [email protected]
Follow us on:
X - @PodBattleground
Instagram - podbattleground
Producer: James Hodgson
A Goalhanger Podcast


Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Patrick and Roger dive into what has officially become the new reality: Ukraine has gained the upper hand in the war against Russia.

We break down the stunning and deeply embarrassing Ukrainian drone strikes on St Petersburg and the Kronstadt naval base—timed perfectly to shatter Vladimir Putin's illusion of stability right as he hosted his flagship economic forum. Not only did these strikes degrade Russia's crucial energy sector, but they successfully sank a Russian Navy corvette, the Boikiy, right in the headquarters of the Baltic Fleet.

As Russia resorts to press-ganging occupied citizens and faces a widening budget deficit due to unsustainable military spending, we ask a critical question: With the US under Donald Trump seemingly losing interest and stepping back, can Europe fill the diplomatic and military vacuum to maintain this forward momentum?

To help answer this, we are joined by renowned historian, author, and political commentator Dr. Helene von Bismarck. We get her expert diplomatic perspective on a weakening Russia, a strengthening Ukraine, and what comes next for European security.

Join the Conversation: If you have a question about the war in Ukraine or any of the conflicts we cover, email us at [email protected]

Follow us on:

X - @PodBattleground

Instagram - podbattleground

Producer: James Hodgson

A Goalhanger Podcast

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices