Ukraine: The Latest

Today, amid reports that Russian forces’ loss of Starlink is reducing the intensity of drone attacks along the frontline, we examine claims that Russian commanders are charging soldiers up to £30,000 to avoid deployment to the most dangerous sectors. We then bring you the latest from the first meeting of Donald Trump’s so-called “Board of Peace”, and finally hear the view from Belarus as Putin seeks to place more nuclear missiles there.

Contributors
Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.
Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.
Rozina Sabur (National Security Editor). @RozinaSaburon X.
With thanks to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEW YOUTUBE CHANNEL – WATCH EVERY EPISODE WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

From next week, every episode will be available on our YouTube channel. Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest

CONTENT REFERENCED:

US presses NATO for major reset, ending mission in Iraq (The Telegraph):
https://www.politico.eu/article/us-presses-nato-reset-cut-foreign-missions-allies-peacekeeping-iraq-kosovo/

Russian commanders demand £30k to spare soldiers from front line (The Telegraph):
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/19/russian-commanders-demand-30k-spare-soldiers-front-line/

Over 1,000 Kenyans enlisted to fight in Russia-Ukraine war, report says (BBC):
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce8w266769go
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,456.
Today, as President Volodymyr Zelensky describes the latest Ukraine-Russia peace talks in Geneva as “difficult”, we ask whether the negotiations between Kyiv, Moscow and Washington made any tangible difference – and whether the Kremlin still has room to delay meaningful concessions. We hear from a former special envoy to Ukraine, and report on an exclusive Telegraph investigation revealing how British-manufactured microelectronics have ended up inside Russian missiles used to kill civilians in Ukraine. And we speak to the founder of a new volunteer air defence unit recruiting members from Ukraine’s expatriate community to help defend against ongoing Russian drone and missile attacks.

Contributors
Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.
Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.
Rozina Sabur (National Security Editor). @RozinaSaburon X.
With thanks to John Richardson and former US Ambassador Kurt Volker.

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.

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEW YOUTUBE CHANNEL – WATCH EVERY EPISODE WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:
From next week, every episode will be available on our YouTube channel. Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest

CONTENT REFERENCED:
International Air Defence Reserves – Point of Contact: John Richardson. Written messages of enquiry only (no links) on Signal to +380 639 598839.

The British designed Microchip that is Powering Putin’s Missiles (The Telegraph):
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/02/18/british-designed-microchip-putin-russia-ukraine-missiles/

Starmer ‘not being honest’ on defence spending, say ex-military chiefs (The Telegraph):
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2026/02/18/starmer-not-honest-defence-spending-say-ex-military-chiefs/

Could Witkoff be ousted from Ukraine talks? (Kyiv Independent):
https://kyivindependent.com/could-witkoff-be-ousted-from-ukraine-talks/

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/ukrainethelatest

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest
Email: [email protected]
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,455.
Today, as the latest round of Ukraine-US-Russia peace talks in Geneva collapse after just two hours, we speak to our correspondent in Switzerland to understand what went wrong between Kyiv, Moscow and Washington. We examine why the International Paralympic Committee has decided to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete at the Winter Olympics under their national flags, and what that means for sporting sanctions linked to Putin’s war in Ukraine. Plus, our resident Russia-watcher breaks down the latest political manoeuvring inside the Kremlin.

Contributors
Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.
Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.
Joe Barnes (Brussels Correspondant). @barnes_joe on X.
James Kilner (Foreign 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:
Ukraine peace talks end in acrimony after two hours (The Telegraph):
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/18/zelensky-trump-being-unfair-in-very-tense-ukraine-talks/

Ukraine recaptures ‘most land since summer 2023’ (The Telegraph):
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/17/ukraine-recaptures-most-land-since-summer-2023/

Zelensky: Trump being unfair in ‘very tense’ talks (The Telegraph):
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/18/zelensky-trump-being-unfair-in-very-tense-ukraine-talks/

Russian, Belarusian athletes to compete under national flags at 2026 Winter Paralympics (Kyiv Independent):
https://kyivindependent.com/russian-belarusian-athletes-to-compete-under-national-flags-at-2026-winter-paralympics/

Mick Ryan Substack post: Starlink Surprise
https://mickryan.substack.com/p/starlink-surprise

Learn more about Convoy4Ukraine:
https://www.justgiving.com/page/ian-wilson-young

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/ukrainethelatest

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest
Email: [email protected]
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,454.
Today, we bring you the latest from Geneva, Switzerland, as a new round of peace talks between Ukraine, Russia and the United States gets underway. What is the diplomatic temperature between Kyiv, Moscow and Washington – and are we any closer to a ceasefire? Meanwhile, as strikes continue on both Ukrainian and Russian territory, we present a special episode focused on the next generation of Ukrainian students: their hopes and aspirations, and how they view the political decisions shaping their country’s future.

Contributors
Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.
Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.
Joe Barnes (Brussels Correspondant). @barnes_joe on X.
With thanks to all the voices and representatives from Ukrainian Youth Worldwide, Ukrainian Youth UK, and the Ukrainian Students Union.

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.

Organisations Referenced In Today’s Episode:
UA Youth: https://uayouth.uk/
Headquarters of the Future: https://www.instagram.com/uniting_uayouth_worldwide/
Ukrainian Students Union: https://www.usu.global/about
France Association of the Ukrainian students in France: https://etudiantsukrainiens.fr/
Cambridge University Ukrainian Society: https://www.cambridgesu.co.uk/organisation/ukrainian/

CONTENT REFERENCED:
‘Facing War’ – the documentary about Jens Stoltenberg:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kgj8pGd6jvo

UA Youth’s Open Letter:
https://uayouth.uk/diplomats-listen-up-who-will-be-the-next-stoltenberg/
For signatures:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeuDD90-PhN1l46nVWqlAkRcXai9muSyG1j2PxzfZYPUm_5CA/viewform

Robin J Brooks’ Substack – EU transshipments to Russia:
https://robinjbrooks.substack.com/p/eu-transshipments-to-russia

'We will take action' — Ukraine ramps up fight against illegal gas dealers with online chat bot (Kyiv Independent):
https://kyivindependent.com/we-will-take-action-ukraine-ramps-up-fight-against-illegal-gas-dealers-with-online-bot/

Ukraine’s survival still an ‘open question’, Kyiv mayor warns (Financial Times):
https://www.ft.com/content/a140cba5-d36c-47b7-95cb-57218fa5874c

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/ukrainethelatest

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest
Email: [email protected]
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,453.
Today, amid fresh Russian bombardments and reports of Ukrainian counter-operations, we step back to assess the broader strategic picture on the battlefield – and ask what 2026 could bring if peace talks collapse. We then report from the Munich Security Conference, where American voices, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, set out competing visions for US involvement in Europe, and Belarus warned about Moscow’s nuclear expansion. Then we cover President Zelensky’s candid remarks, and examine the extraordinary claims from British intelligence that Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was killed with a toxin derived from a frog on the orders of Vladimir Putin.

Contributors
Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.
Venetia Rainey (Co-host Battle Lines podcast). @venetiarainey on X.
Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist and Producer). @adeliepjz on X.
Rozina Sabur (National Security Editor). @RozinaSabur 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:
Putin’s frog poison hit on Navalny reveals his secret chemical weapons (The Telegraph):
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/02/14/russia-killed-navalny-with-frog-poison-britain-reveals/

Kim opens new neighbourhood for families of soldiers killed in Ukraine (The Telegraph):
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/16/kim-opens-neighbourhood-families-soldiers-killed-ukraine/

Putin ‘moving nuclear missiles’ to EU border (The Telegraph):
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/15/putin-moving-nuclear-missiles-to-eu-border/

Nato will strike ‘deep inside Russia’ if Putin hits Baltics (The Telegraph):
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/16/nato-air-strikes-deep-in-russia-if-putin-hits-baltics/

Poland considers building nuclear weapons (The Telegraph):
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/16/poland-considers-building-nuclear-weapons-russia/

Ukraine’s War of Endurance – The Fight for Advantage in the Conflict’s Fifth Year (Michael Kofman in Foreign Affairs):
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/russia/ukraines-war-endurance

Ukraine struck $100 million Russian Nebo-U radar system in occupied Crimea, General Staff claims (Kyiv Independent):
https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-says-it-struck-100-million-russian-nebo-u-radar-system-in-occupied-crimea/

Ukraine’s survival still an ‘open question’, Kyiv mayor warns (Financial Times):
https://www.ft.com/content/a140cba5-d36c-47b7-95cb-57218fa5874c

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/ukrainethelatest

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest
Email: [email protected]
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.