Last February, Putin launched his big war on Ukraine. Vlad Demchenko is a Ukrainian film-maker turned soldier who arrested John on Day 2 of the war on suspicion of being a Russian spy. Having sorted that, they’re now friends. Vlad tells John why he’s risking his life to defend Ukraine – and Europe. This is the story of an ordinary, extraordinary Ukrainian wh ... Show More
Oct 2022
Ukraine recaptures settlements, we're live in Kharkiv & what motivates Russians to join Putin's conscript army
Day 224Today, we discuss the latest updates from the battlefront as fierce fighting rages across Ukraine. We also hear about the situation in the north as our Senior Foreign Correspondent Roland Oliphant calls in from Kharkiv. And we discuss our Russia Correspondent Nataliya Vasi ... Show More
1h 1m
Mar 2022
In Ukraine, the Men Who Must Stay and Fight
<p><i>This episode contains strong language.</i></p><p>As the Russian assault has intensified, the government in Ukraine has enacted martial law, requiring men to stay in the country and either join the fight or face the prospect of conscription.</p><p>We tell the story of three ... Show More
42m 19s
May 2022
The Battle for the Donbas
Vitaly and Victoria hear from 19 year old Maksym Lutskyi, a soldier fighting in the Donbas where the Ukrainian army is under increasing pressure. He’s aware Russian forces might encircle him any time soon, but says he will fight on regardless. Also, a listener based in Moscow exp ... Show More
37m 35s
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