logo
episode-header-image
Mar 2022
33m 39s

Approaching Kyiv

BBC News
About this episode

The BBC’s Fergal Keane presents today’s episode of Ukrainecast from Lviv in western Ukraine – thousands of refugees are flowing through the city as they try to leave the country.

He’s joined by the BBC's Abdujalil Abdurasulov, who’s in Kyiv as Russian forces continue to slowly advance, and Kevin Connolly, former Moscow BBC correspondent. They discuss Russia’s strategy to take Kyiv and who Putin’s allies are.

The Belarus opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who’s living in exile, also explains why she feels her country’s future is so closely connected to the fate of Ukraine.

Today’s Newscast was made by Alison Gee with Alix Pickles. The studio directors were Sharmini Ashton-Griffiths and Wayne Moses. The editor is Jonathan Aspinwall.

Up next
Yesterday
Q&A: Trump turns on Putin, Ukrainian infighting, and Turkey's diplomatic tightrope
Is Donald Trump changing his rhetoric on Ukraine? Has he directed allies in Congress to accelerate a new sanctions package targeting Russia? And could infighting among high-ranking Ukrainian officials prove to be a damaging distraction in their country’s war effort?Lucy and Vital ... Show More
25m 5s
Jul 8
Surviving Russia’s record drone attacks
On Friday, Ukraine’s air force said Russia had launched a record 539 drones and 11 missiles in overnight airstrikes. Kyiv was at the epicentre of the attack, with every district in the capital targeted. We’ve been speaking with two residents of the city, about their experiences - ... Show More
20m 43s
Jul 3
Q&A: Suspended US weapons, Macron-Putin call and Russian opposition
After the US paused the delivery of some weapons to Ukraine pledged under the Biden administration, how soon will the impact be felt on the front line? As Russia claims full control of Luhansk, what is life like for Ukrainians living in occupied territories? And is Ukraine united ... Show More
24m 39s
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2022
Ukrainecast: What is Putin thinking?
As fighting continues in Ukraine, Victoria Derbyshire and Gabriel Gatehouse look at how the crisis is being reflected in Russia. They’re joined by Angus Roxburgh, who spent three years as a consultant to the Kremlin, to discuss whether the people closest to Putin will stay loyal ... Show More
44m 29s
Feb 2022
The view from Kyiv as Russia invaded Ukraine
There's been speculation for weeks now whether or not residents of Ukraine's capital of Kyiv might hear air raid sirens. On Thursday, February 24, that prediction finally came to pass. After months of an increased military buildup along the Russian-Ukrainian border, Russian Presi ... Show More
20m 56s
Feb 2022
The Battle for Kyiv
This episode contains strong language.Over the weekend, the battle for Ukraine arrived at the capital, Kyiv, as Russian forces attempted to advance.Would the Russian military quickly overrun the city? Or would Ukrainians, despite being outgunned, somehow find a way to defend thei ... Show More
27m 38s
Feb 2022
Ukrainecast: The Battle for Kyiv
Ukraine government gives out guns as Russian forces approach... Victoria, Gabriel and Vitaliy talk through how the conflict has unfolded. Olga Malchevska, from the BBC Ukrainian Service in London, tells of how her family home was targeted, and Newsnight’s diplomatic editor Mark U ... Show More
34m 34s
Oct 2022
Strikes Across Ukraine
Russian missiles hit Ukrainian cities as Putin threatens "harsh" action.We get the latest on Monday’s deadly blasts with the BBC’s International Editor, Jeremy Bowen, and Ukrainecast host, Vitaliy Shevchenko. They discuss President Putin’s motivation, the risk of further "escalat ... Show More
32m 28s
Mar 2022
Newscast + Ukrainecast
As talks between Russia and Ukraine fail again, the human toll of the war is escalating. Laura, Chris and Adam are joined by Gabriel Gatehouse of Ukrainecast, to discuss the latest developments in both countries, and try to work out what President Putin and his small circle of “s ... Show More
31m 59s
Feb 2022
Ukrainecast: The Resistance
Ukrainians, from Kyiv to the UK, answer calls to defend their country. The capital has come under attack, but the residents and their president remain defiant, and Russian forces have so far failed to break through their resistance.Maxim Karaush was at home with family when their ... Show More
36m 42s
Feb 2022
Kyiv under siege, could fall shortly
Despite courageous efforts by Ukrainians to defend their country, CNN sources familiar with the latest US intelligence say Kyiv could fall under Russian control within the next few days. That grim assessment comes as the White House plans to join its allies in imposing sanctions ... Show More
1h 16m
Mar 2022
Kyiv residents face a choice: stay or go
As Russian forces continue to attack, more than half a million Ukranians have left the country. But for those who have decided to stay, life is very different than it was just a week ago. Plus, what’s at stake for President Biden in tonight’s State of the Union. And, more than ha ... Show More
11m 12s