Russia’s Black Sea Fleet “almost completely defenceless” | Ukraine: The Latest Podcast

Day 567. Today, we bring you the latest from the frontlines in Ukraine, analyse political and diplomatic developments from around the world, and Francis Dearnley sits down with Senator Mitt Romney for an exclusive interview - the first since Romney announced he will not seek re-election.

Contributors:
David Knowles (Host). @djknowles22 on Twitter.
Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor, Defence). @DomNicholls on Twitter.
Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). @FrancisDearnley on Twitter.
Hamish De Bretton-Gordon (Former Tank Commander and Telegraph commentator). @HamishDBG on Twitter.

With thanks to:

Olga Sidorushkina, the Ukrainian Institute London’s Film Festival Fellow. @Ukr_Institute on Twitter.

Senator Mitt Romney. @MittRomney and @SenatorRomney on Twitter.

[sammenter]

I enjoyed Francis’ interview with Mitt Romney; what a sensible and rational guy!

[charliebrenton]

This podcast is my trusted daily go-to for Ukraine news. Best analysis, most engaging commentators, fascinating interviews. Cheers to the team!!

[dirtyharry]

As an Ukrainian i have no doubt in my mind that we gonna win this war against orcs! We know how
Keep supporting us ❤
Glory to Ukraine

[scottweidt]

Nothing shapes behavior better than forethought and strategy..Epic statement!

[merriwinkle]

Another excellent podcast. I really appreciate all of this reporting. It is so very important and very well done.

[tinydancer_]

As a citizen of Utah I can confidently say that Senator Romney has done an excellent job representing our State and our constituency. It's admirable what he's doing by stepping down to make room for a new generation. However, I'm not alone in my opinion that he has been a great leader and we're sad to see him go.
🇺🇲💕🇺🇦

[American-In-Mykolaiv]

Great reporting, Romney has my respect!

[maggieliz]

Great show as usual. I sure do wish we had people like Romney to vote for in America's next election. I don't agree with all his politics, but he's smart, and he loves this country. Who will step up to defeat Trump? Someone must.

[rsfaeges]

Interesting re Picatinny and ammo production. Props to those workers.

[Aothis]

I respect Senator Romney even if I don't agree with his party however any American millennial would agree with me that it is at the moment, impossible to "step up" when the baby boomers and the old guard won't relinquish power. This has been our generation's biggest struggle in American politics.

[MaiHead]

I'm a liberal leftie myself and I remember being disgusted by Romeny's politics back in the day. So I am surprised to hear how much his world view has changed and how these old school republicans seem much more level headed than the newer generations. I agree, current republicans taking power would be disasturous for the U.S.

[frankfischer]

Senator Romney will be missed when he leaves Congress.

[mathiangchot]

I'm never a big fan of Boris Johnson's populist politics. But his voice, "This hideous and barbaric venture of Vladimir Putin...., " really set the rally cry for Western Europe. I've never trusted France and Germany taking a decisive stance in support of Ukraine. Something feels amiss each time I don't hear it. His voice should be reinstated. It's one of the few voices of reasons when everyone else was cowering at the thought of what Putin might do next.

[DanielSimpson-cidx]

Ukraine is only a quareter the size of Russia....whos the bully here.

[iunary]

Mr Romneys "Make Republicans Reasonable Again"-Campaign seems to be in full swing in this interview, how kind and likable he sounds compared to the populist crowd .... makes me sad

[TalkernateHistory]

I distinctly remember watching the Obama Romney debate in a McDonalds, and when that "The 1980's called, they want their foreign policy back" comment was made, I couldn't believe my ears

[andysworld]

This has been an intelligence gold mine for the west. The weakening of the Russian state has been just as important. We need to support Ukraine as long as it takes, for Russia to get back in her borders;

[iragoldberg]

We are a Constitutional Republic….never mentioned a Republic!

[Sporesuarus-rex]

I phoned Demtry Pezkov and asked what Putin plans do with his air defences and navy and he told me its not a good time as the Kremlin offices are full of farts and smell so rancid he can't think straight right now, Demtry basically said the MOD only has one good working day which is Monday as the offices have had time to air out over the weekend and best to call back then

[panglayman]

As strange as it sounds this was all started by the RAF in November of 1940, when it did a similar thing to Mussolini's Italian Navy in the Taranto Harbor. Then it was 21 Fairey Swordfish and now it is 10 Storm Shadows. Many people say it was the Japanese at Pearl Harbor who pioneered this type of attack, but they actually copied the RAFs Taranto Harbor raid. Both raids also occurred at night. After Taranto, the Italian Navy was equally rendered defenseless and they stayed in harbor for much of the war, fearing to lose their capitol ships.