Ukrainian town resembles 'desert planet' after Russian assault | Ukraine: The Latest

Day 966.

Today, we report on the destruction being wrought amid intense fighting in Donetsk, consider new indications of what is in Zelensky’s “victory plan”, and hear a sobering assessment of the current situation on the battlefield.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). @FrancisDearnley on X.
Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.
Francis Farrell (Reporter at The Kyiv Independent). @francisjfarrell on X.

Content Referenced:

I set fire to my own trenches to stop Putin winning this war (The Telegraph)

Francis's video interview with Zelensky's adviser, Podolyak:

Vladimir Putin’s spies are plotting global chaos (The Economist):

Honeytrapped Irish politician spied for Russia during Brexit saga (The Sunday Times):

Britain freezes security dialogue with Georgia (Reuters):

The Impending Betrayal of Ukraine (Tim Willasey-Wilsey CMG on RUSI website):

Students can subscribe to our coverage for free:

[kayinoue]

I'm incredibly disheartened by European unwillingness to take actions which meet the moment when it comes to Russia and Ukraine

[ralphreg]

Hello from Australia, I'm a regular listener.

[monsieurgrigny]

Francis Farrell was first class and needs to be listened to. Dom on 'Perfidy' a classic.

[Wanderer]

Today in Cherkassy (Ukraine) there was an attempt to seize the St. Michael's Cathedral of the UOC.

It involved about 100 unknown people in military uniform with yellow armbands, who smashed doors, windows, and CCTV cameras.

The police were present, but did not interfere. And according to some reports, they even helped.

After the seizure of the temple, Metropolitan Feodosiy of the UOC arrived at the scene with parishioners, and fights broke out.

As a result, the invaders were driven out of the temple with fighting. The video shows how one of them opened fire, apparently from a traumatic pistol, and sprayed gas.

It is reported that Metropolitan Feodosiy of the UOC was beaten.

[robinkruskol]

Love the show. Todays episode was outstanding. Please get Anderson Puck Nielson on the show. It would be AMAZING!!!!

[annetteroennow]

A portion of Woodward's new book 'war' on America's fear of Putin's nuclear rattling? It is still so hard for us to understand this fear.. ? thanks guys, from an daily listener. Thanks to Mr. Farris for his update from Ukraine..

[Booyaka]

Australia officially donating 49 M1A1 Abrams tanks plus spares (not sure if spares or cannibalised hulls just yet) to Ukraine from ADF stocks. Just announced a few hours ago.

[crdudley]

The Russian bots get here early. Best to ignore them.

[marymoloney]

Regarding troop rotation. Surely the outgoing group could wait in post a day or two until in the incoming settle in? This would avoid any gap and make it difficult for the enemy to predict timing of movements.Also why can't rotation be staggered. Not all at once but a few at a time.

[gregoriodadulla]

Why is media not covering the human safari done by Russians in Kherson?

[CraigAshton-dq]

Where is my post about European leaders not waiting on the US, show the US the way, dont ask...they will come around.

[tup]

The show is great as always, it makes for hard listening sometimes because of the truth but this is as it should be.I struggle too believe that we are still hobling along, and leaders that could be more positive in looking to end this war, really want too be linked by name too the thousands of deaths and the destruction that as taken place already.I would be so ashamed if my name was linked to the history already of this event.

[stephencalcutt]

What's happening in the Kursk salient?

[barrettzbrowning]

Many thx to Frances Farrell, for his incredible reportage. The recent news & his report are alarming & disturbing. Appreciation of France’s courage & his work to help us know & to understand. We are not “tired;” nor are we distracted.

The seemingly ongoing INERTIA of the allies & partners is a challenging set of circumstances to absorb. This ongoing tragedy is beyond one’s comprehension, even at this late date.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
250, 000 voters first day of voting today in Georgia, USA.
A record in this ‘battleground’ state.
We Americans are going to kick that sick SOB traitor— Captain Bonespurs— to the curb of history.
“DONE & DUSTED” will be our new motto! VOTE BLUE up and down the ballot.

[MC-elus]

Disturbing that Germany is playing around while North Korea send in troops

[shaun]

These updates are getting more pathetic as time goes on.

[marisabenson]

This failure by the West will lead to catastrophic consequences. The passivity of leaders of democracy to defend long held and hard fought for principles especially in the US which touts itself as all about freedom and democracy and being the "greatest" nation on earth leaves space for the worst alternative - that of authoritarians. All who understand this are profoundly concerned and that all hinges on the isolationist views if one nation's election results shows our mistake.
Perhaps I'm still not cynical enough to be able to simply accept that everything gained and all our greatness which so much better than the horrible states of Authoritarians such as China and Russian is going to collapse. I cannot stomach a world where a brutal regine of wealthy autocrats rule. At the same time my wrath is unbounded for those who left open the door.

[izzythompson]

Maybe Ukraine will regret not staying neutral as Russia reasonably asked. Instead it built a NATO equipped army while knowing NATOs strategic aim to take down Russia.

[richardmarsden]

According to the Russian MoD, since the start of the battle in Kursk Kiev forces have lost 23, 550 troops, 160 tanks, 75 infantry fighting vehicles, 100 armored personnel carriers, 934 armored fighting vehicles, 639 motor vehicles, 189 artillery guns, 37 launchers, including nine American-made HIMARS and six MLRS systems, nine air defense systems, five transport-loading vehicles, 48 electronic warfare stations, nine counter-battery radars, three aerial radars, 22 engineering vehicles, including 13 counter obstacle vehicles, one UR-77 mine clearing vehicle and three armored recovery vehicle.

[MrLandLrD]

Reality is settling in😂😂😂😂...V RUSSIA❤❤❤❤❤❤ Love from FL