What did the West know about Russia’s invasion before it happened? How did Ukraine prepare for a war they weren’t sure would come? And why did Moscow underestimate its opponent so disastrously?
Western intelligence agencies warned that Russia was preparing to invade Ukraine - but even they were surprised by how badly Moscow’s strategy would unravel. From su ... Show More
Oct 2025
The Reeducation of Russia’s Military
<p>Ever since Russia started its war in Ukraine, assessments of its military power have vacillated wildly. First, Russian forces were supposed to overrun Ukraine and crush any resistance in a matter of days. Then, they were thought to be so weak that a Ukrainian counteroffensive ... Show More
53m 13s
Nov 2024
Russian army experiences bloodiest month of the entire war
Day 997.Today, we assess the state of the Russian army, hear new revelations from inside the Biden administration, and look deeper at the impact of this war in other theatres, such as Korea and Africa.
Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Assistant Comment Editor). @FrancisDearnley on ... Show More
59m 18s
Oct 2024
Ukrainian 'prisoner soldiers' enter the fray in the Battle of Donbas
Day 976.Today, as Putin admits Russia is working with North Korea, we look at several investigations into Moscow’s interactions with terrorist groups, and consider the former Ukrainian prisoners released to fight on the front lines.
Contributors:Francis Dearnley (Assistant Commen ... Show More
48m 12s
Jan 2024
120. Is Putin looking for a Ceasefire?
In our second Battleground podcast of 2024 Saul and Patrick return to the war in Ukraine, as in the past week has seen a tit for tat of missile and drone strikes – the majority, needless to say, fired from Russia. They also discuss both the possibility and the feasibility of rece ... Show More
35m 23s
Nov 13
Biggest corruption scandal of Zelensky’s presidency rattles country & Polish civilians arm themselves in case of Russian invasion
Day 1,359.Today, as Ukraine launches more projectiles at Russia than it receives in return, we examine the worsening situation on the ground in the Zaporizhzhia region and the growing domestic turmoil facing President Zelensky, as the corruption scandal rattles his government. We ... Show More
56m 48s
May 2022
Making Sense of the Donbas
In this episode, Giselle, Iulia, and Dalibor unpack recent, quickly-evolving developments in the Donbas region of Eastern Ukraine. War continues to ravage eastern Ukraine, where the Russian military is using its playbook from Mariupol to level Ukrainian cities into surrender. Fol ... Show More
40m 18s