Day 1,643.
Today, an hours-long drone and missile attack on Kyiv overnight as Russia continues its push on three key towns in the fortress belt in the East. But in some welcome news, Ukraine appears to have repelled Putin’s forces north of Lyman in a secret counterattack. Plus, the real reason for CIA director John Ratfcliffe’s visit to Moscow this week, and President Zelensky’s top aid says Ukraine and Russia could hold talks as soon as September. Then Francis reports from Germany, where elections could trigger a dramatic shift in the country’s defence policy. Meanwhile Friedrich Merz’s government considers investing in Britain’s nuclear programme to bolster Europe’s deterrent against Moscow.
Contributors:
Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.
Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.
James Rothwell (Berlin Correspondent). @JamesERothwell on X.
Producer: Rachel Porter
Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett
Video Producer: James England and Hana Kelly
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:
If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk
Explosions, jet-powered drones rock Kyiv as rare hours-long Russian aerial attack continues into afternoon (Kyiv Independent)
https://kyivindependent.com/explosions-rock-kyiv-as-russia-launches-ballistic-missiles-at-the-capital-and-other-regions-across-ukraine/
'The city is dying' — Ukrainians in Kramatorsk brace for worst as Russian forces inch closer (Asami Terajima for the Kyiv Independent)
https://kyivindependent.com/the-city-is-dying-ukrainians-in-kramatorsk-brace-for-worst-as-russian-forces-inch-closer/
Germany in talks to help fund Trident (Joe Barnes, James Rothwell and James Crisp for The Telegraph)
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/26/germany-talks-help-fund-britains-trident-nuclear-deterrent/
German politician wants to hold swingers’ party in city hall (James Rothwell for The Telegraph)
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/23/german-politician-swingers-party-city-hall-mannheim/
EMAIL US:
Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Kyiv intercepts first ballistic missiles in a month during huge raid
- Ukraine’s secret Donbas counterattack repels Russian troops
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