Ukraine: The Latest

Day 1,441.
Today, as Donald Trump claims Vladimir Putin has “kept his word” by not striking Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, we report on the resumption of trilateral peace talks in Abu Dhabi involving the US, Ukraine, and Russia. We examine whether French President Emmanuel Macron’s call for Europeans to “restore their own channels of communication” with Moscow will deliver any tangible results, and assess whether the recent drop in the price of gold could weaken Putin’s war economy. And later, we speak to Sir Bill Browder about Europe’s continued failure to seize and use frozen Russian state assets to fund Ukraine’s war effort, the significance of the €90 billion loan agreed in Brussels instead. Is it enough?

Contributors
Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.
Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist and Producer). @adeliepjz on X.
With thanks to Sir Bill Browder. @Billbrowder on X.

SIGN UP TO THE ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:
http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter
Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers.

CONTENT REFERENCED:
The gold bubble has financed Putin’s war machine – but that may be over (Ambrose Evans Pritchard in The Telegraph):
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2026/02/03/gold-bubble-financed-vladimir-putins-war-machine-over/

German warships ‘sabotaged by workers’ (The Telegraph):
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/03/german-warships-sabotaged-workers-hamburg-port/

For Peace, More Ukrainians Consider the Once Unthinkable: Surrendering Land
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/world/europe/ukraine-russia-war-donbas-region.html

LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST IN NEW LANGUAGES:
The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them. Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatest

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest
Email: [email protected]
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,440.
Today, as Ukrainians endure temperatures of minus -20 degrees Celsius and Russia marks the end of its so-called “energy ceasefire” with a new mass aerial attack, we ask what is stopping Donald Trump from simply urging Vladimir Putin to spare Ukraine’s energy infrastructure for another week. We report on NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s address to Ukraine’s parliament, examining what he meant by the “difficult choices” Kyiv may face in pursuit of peace. And later, with the START nuclear treaty due to expire this month, Adélie speaks to two researchers about nuclear signalling – and how to interpret what Moscow and Washington really mean behind their public statements.

Contributors
Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.
Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.
Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist and Producer). @adeliepjz on X.

SIGN UP TO THE ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:
http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter
Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers.

CONTENT REFERENCED:
Frontline Club event in London on Wednesday:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/screening-qa-kharkiv-war-diaries-tickets-1979708915659

Maiu Sandu Interview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRnZUTGo1MI

Putin waits until Kyiv hits -20C before knocking out power with missiles (The Telegraph):
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/03/putin-kyiv-power-coldest-temperature-missile-drone-attack/

EU demands Britain pays fee to join weapons fund (The Telegraph):
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/02/eu-demands-britain-pays-fee-to-join-weapons-fund/

Ukraine agrees multi-tier plan for enforcing any ceasefire with Russia (The Telegraph):
https://www.ft.com/content/0f26d56d-98cd-4999-8908-4a851a2de773

Russia’s Nuclear Signaling in the War Against Ukraine: A Chronology of the Biden Era, (Peace Research Center Prague):
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5a1448b4d0e62862b5a5a0e7/t/693eaa34207a1646b8b562aa/1765714484234/Horovitz_Smetana_et_al-Russia_Nuclear_Signalling_Chronology_Dec25_SMALL.pdf

Barack Obama’s X Post:
https://x.com/BarackObama/status/2018323947230540249

Napoleon stopped short soldiers from being sacked (The Telegraph):
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/02/02/napoleon-bonaparte-stopped-short-soldiers-being-sacked/

LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST IN NEW LANGUAGES:
The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them. Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatest

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest
Email: [email protected]
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,439.
Today, as Vladimir Putin’s so-called “energy ceasefire” is reportedly broken once again, we report on another weekend of devastating Russian strikes on Ukraine – including an attack that killed 15 miners when drones hit their bus during a near Dnipro, and a strike on a maternity hospital in Zaporizhzhya that injured at least six. We then examine mounting claims that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was not only close to the Kremlin, but may have acted as a foreign agent on Russia’s behalf.

Contributors
Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.
Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.
Poppy Wood (Education Editor). @poppyeh on X.

SIGN UP TO THE ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:
http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter
Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers.

CONTENT REFERENCED:
Epstein’s links to Putin and Kremlin spies raise fears he was Russian agent (The Telegraph):
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/01/epstein-links-to-putin-and-fsb-raise-fears-he-was-a-russian/

Putin targets migrant smuggling networks to boost his ranks (The Telegraph):
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/terror-and-security/putin-targets-migrant-smuggling-networks-to-boost-his-ranks/

Putin ‘will send thousands of criminals to wreak havoc across Europe’ (The Telegraph):
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/01/putin-send-thousands-criminals-wreak-havoc-across-europe/

International law meant to limit effects of war at breaking point, study finds (The Telegraph):
https://www.theguardian.com/law/2026/feb/02/more-than-100000-civilians-killed-war-crimes-out-of-control-study

Slovakia PM's national security adviser resigns over Epstein links (BBC):
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cnvgljj1dygo?xtor

Epstein Library Database (DoJ):
https://www.justice.gov/epstein

LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST IN NEW LANGUAGES:
The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them. Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatest

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest
Email: [email protected]
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,436.
Today, as Donald Trump announces an “energy ceasefire” we ask: what it means, has it started and can it hold. Our correspondent in Turkey tells us China is supplying critical components of Russia’s nuclear-capable Oreshnik missiles and have our regular fortnightly update about resistance activity in the occupied areas. Plus later, we hear about a new adaptation for the theatre of a Ukrainian story that blends folklore with contemporary themes of power, superstition and women’s struggle for equality.

Contributors
Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.
Venetia Rainey (Co-host Battle Lines podcast). @venetiarainey on X.
Sophia Yan (Senior Foreign Correspondent). @sophia_yan on Twitter.
Roland Oliphant (Chief Foreign Analyst). @RolandOliphant on X.
Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.
Dr. Jade McGlynn (War Studies Department of King's College). @DrJadeMcGlynn on X.

SIGN UP TO THE ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:
http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter
Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers.

CONTENT REFERENCED:
Antonia Langford’s reporting on winter in Kyiv:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/01/29/putin-agrees-ceasefire-stop-attacking-ukraines-cities/

Roland’s analysis: Trump has announced a Ukraine ceasefire. Is it a sham or showstopper?
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/01/29/trump-ukraine-ceasefire-sham-showstopper/

How China is powering Putin’s deadliest new weapon (Sophia Yan in The Telegraph):
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/01/28/china-helping-russia-build-nuclear-capable-missile/

How to Become a Dictator podcast by Sophia Yan:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/10/18/introducing-how-become-dictator-new-telegraph-podcast-power/

Learn more about The Witch of Konotop:
https://www.hackneyempire.co.uk/events/the-witch-of-konotop-2026

Thresholds of Survival: The Resistance in Occupied Ukraine (Dr Jade McGlynn's Report):
https://www.csis.org/analysis/thresholds-survival-resistance-occupied-ukraine

Russia strips nuclear forces, Navy, and Air Force to fill infantry ranks —military expert
https://euromaidanpress.com/2026/01/29/russia-infantry-manpower-shortage-elite-forces/

LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST IN NEW LANGUAGES:
The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them. Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatest

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest
Email: [email protected]
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day 1,435.
Today, as President Zelensky warns that Russia is preparing “a new massive strike”, we examine growing speculation that an undeclared truce may be in place regarding strikes on energy infrastructure. We then turn to the Russian press, where a local war memorial in the Urals appears to have inadvertently revealed the true scale of Russian casualties, and an unlikely scandal involving a baker that has caused fresh embarrassment for Vladimir Putin. And finally, we report on the launch of a new blood bank aimed at alleviating Ukraine’s mounting medical crises.

Contributors
Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.
Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.
James Kilner (Foreign Correspondent). @jkjourno on X.
With thanks to Toby Illingworth (Founder & Head of Mission for Yashchenko Foundation). @tobyillingworth

SIGN UP TO THE ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:
http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter
Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers.

CONTENT REFERENCED:
Learn More about the Walking Blood Bank and the Yashchenko Foundation:
https://yashchenkofoundation.org/walking-blood-bank/

Putin abandons Syria base to court new Islamist leader (The Telegraph):
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/01/28/russia-abandons-syria-military-base/

Royal Navy forces Russian ship out of British waters (The Telegraph):
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/01/28/russian-ship-anchors-trans-atlantic-cables-bristol-channel/

Exclusive: Trump's top envoy negotiating Ukraine's fate displays 'shocking' lack of knowledge about war (Kyiv Independent):
https://kyivindependent.com/trumps-top-envoy-displays-shocking-lack-of-knowledge-about-war-politics/

LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST IN NEW LANGUAGES:
The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them. Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatest

Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest
Email: [email protected]
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.