Day 1,622.
Today, Kyiv reels from the deadliest attack this year after failing to intercept any Russian missiles overnight, as North Korea continues to support Russia’s war, providing 120 ballistic missiles and six launchers. Meanwhile, Ukraine carries out air strikes on another Wildberries warehouse and several industrial sites, including an oil refinery. Then, we keep an eye on Kyiv and Washington’s warming relationship in recent weeks and discuss whether Ukraine could decide Italy’s next election. Finally, examine the lives of war widows as Russian losses mount, and Francis speaks to the World Health Organization’s representative in Ukraine about providing medical care in a war zone.
Contributors:
Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.
Alex Nichol (Telegraph Journalist).
Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.
Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett
Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan
Social Producer: Tom Steed
Studio Director: Meghan Searle
Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley
Created by David Knowles
NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:
Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest
CONTENT REFERENCED:
Russian soldier opens fire on his own platoon (Antonia Langford for The Telegraph)
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/04/russian-soldier-opens-fire-on-his-own-platoon/
Syria tells US it is willing to drastically drop Russian oil imports (Reuters)
https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/syria-tells-us-it-is-willing-drastically-drop-russian-oil-imports-sources-say-2026-08-04/
Russia Approves State-Funded IVF for Widows as Birth Rates Hit Historic Low (Kyiv Post)
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/80941
Facing a demographic catastrophe, Ukraine is paying for troops to freeze their sperm (BBC)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqxd9549y4xo
Ukraine's war widows: 'None of us was prepared to pay such a high price for our country' (Le Monde)
https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2024/02/17/ukraine-s-war-widows-none-of-us-was-prepared-to-pay-such-a-high-price-for-our-country_6535062_4.html
British Widows of the First World War, The Forgotten Legion, Andrea Hetherington
https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/British-Widows-of-the-First-World-War-Hardback/p/14718
How Putin Turned Japan Into a Den of Spies (New York Times)
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/12/world/asia/russia-spies-japan-war-drones-electronics.html
MI6, DGSE, Ukraine... L’Express reveals an unprecedented ranking of Europe’s best spies (L’Express)
French spy TV series, The Bureau:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4063800/
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