Day 1,197.

Today, after another series of deadly strikes on civilians in Sumy, Russia continue to push ahead in the north of the region. Meanwhile, we continue to assess the damages from Operation Spider’s Web and the Kerch Bridge explosion. We also dive into the UK’s Strategic Defence Review and what it means for Ukraine, while the UK promises 100,000 drones to Ukraine by Spring 2026.

Contributors:

Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist and Producer). @adeliepjz on X.

Roland Oliphant (Senior Foreign Correspondent). @RolandOliphant on X.

Joe Barnes (Brussels Correspondent). @Barnes_Joe on X.

Hamish De Bretton-Gordon (Former British Army Tank Commander). @HamishDBG on X

Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.

With thanks to Michael Weiss, Editor at The Insider.

SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/

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 strikes Putin’s prized spy planes, The Telegraph

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/06/03/ukraine-strikes-putin-prized-spy-plane/

Trump official who shut down counter-Russia agency has links to Kremlin, The Telegraph

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2025/06/03/trump-official-shut-russia-propaganda-unit-kremlin-ties/

We led the Strategic Defence Review. This is how Starmer can keep Britain safe, The Telegraph

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/06/01/strategic-defence-review-lord-robertson-fiona-hill-barrons/

Ukraine Defaults on Sovereign Debt Payment, Wall Street Journal

https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-defaults-on-sovereign-debt-payment-03267386

NOW AVAILABLE 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: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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

Day 1,196.

Today, while fighting continues around the area of Pokrovsk, Ukraine claims yet another attack on crucial Russian infrastructure. This time, it is the Kerch Bridge, which connects Russia to Crimea that was hit with underwater explosives. Meanwhile, in Istanbul yesterday, the Russia and Ukrainian delegations continue to be at a deadlock, despite agreeing on an exchange of POWs.

Contributors:

Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist and Producer). @adeliepjz on X.

Roland Oliphant (Senior Foreign Correspondent). @RolandOliphant on X.

Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.

Venetia Rainey (Co-host of 'Battle Lines'). @venetiarainey on X.

David Blair (Chief Foreign Affairs Commentator). @davidblairdt on X.

SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/

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:

Explosion rocks Kerch Bridge to Crimea

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/06/03/russia-ukraine-zelensky-putin-war-latest-news5291/

Putin hands surrender terms to Ukraine

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/06/02/putin-offers-ukraine-truce-surrenders-regime-change/

Rachel Reeves threatens Roman Abramovich over frozen £2.35bn Chelsea sale funds

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2025/06/02/rachel-reeves-threatens-roman-abramovich-chelsea-sale-money/

NOW AVAILABLE 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: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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

Day 1,195.

Today, after what some are calling the most successful special operation in modern history, we assess the strategic significance of Ukraine's strikes on Russia’s bomber fleet. We also discuss the Polish presidential elections and the Strategic Defence Review, coming out later today in the UK.

Contributors:

Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist and Producer). @adeliepjz on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.

Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Roland Oliphant (Senior Foreign Correspondent). @RolandOliphant on X.

James Rothwell (Berlin Correspondent). @JamesERothwell on X.

SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/

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:

Ukrainian drones destroyed Putin’s bombers. A secret smuggling operation made it possible

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/06/01/ukraine-drones-russia-nuclear-bombers-olenya-belaya-bases/

Right-winger Karol Nawrocki wins Polish presidential election

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/06/01/liberal-mayor-narrowly-leads-poland-election-blow-trump/

Britain’s new nuclear-powered attack submarines to ‘face down’ Russia

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/06/01/britain-nuclear-powered-attack-submarines-face-down-russia/

Starmer’s defence strategy in disarray

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/06/01/starmer-3pc-defence-spending-pledge-in-disarray/

Massive security breach: Russian nuclear facilities exposed online

https://danwatch.dk/en/serious-security-breach-russian-nuclear-facilities-exposed/

NOW AVAILABLE 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: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk

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