Day 1,631.
Today, a train in Siberia, said to be carrying ballistic missiles from North Korea, goes up in flames. Then, not to be outdone, a Russian oil terminal near St Petersburg announces it has “completely” shut down following a recent Ukrainian attack. The Starlink spat between Poland and “big man” Elon Musk seems to be cooling and Putin has placed the son of US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr on Russia’s wanted list for fighting in Ukraine. Plus later, we speak to two women brought together by an NGO that helps Ukrainians improve their English – as one of their sons fights on the front line in Ukraine.
Contributors:
Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.
Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.
Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.
With thanks to ENGin volunteers Jane and Anastasia.
Producer: Rachel Porter
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:
Learn more about the ENGin program, which helps Ukrainians of all ages improve their English-language conversation via volunteers worldwide:
https://www.enginprogram.org/
If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk
Kremlin hired assassin to murder American on Polish soil, says Tusk (The Telegraph)
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/13/kremlin-hired-assassin-to-execute-american-on-polish-soil/
Blast at Rotterdam port energy facility kills one person (Reuters)
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/rotterdam-port-explosion-causes-one-death-police-say-2026-08-13/
Putin flexes Moscow’s muscles in the Far East (The Telegraph)
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/14/putin-flexes-moscows-muscles-in-the-far-east/
US armoured brigade pummelled by Ukraine’s drones in wargame (The Telegraph)
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2026/08/13/us-armoured-brigade-pummelled-ukraine-drones-wargame/
Pictured: ‘Russian escort’ accused of assassinating Ukrainian defector (The Telegraph)
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/13/woman-assassinates-ukrainian-submarine-commander-who-defect/
Ukraine offers Russia truce in the Black Sea as food supply fears mount (Reuters)
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-offers-russia-truce-black-sea-food-supply-fears-mount-source-says-2026-08-13/
Russian Strikes on Dozens of Grain Ships Threaten Global Food Supplies (New York Times)
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/13/world/europe/russia-ukraine-ports-odesa-cargo-ship-attacks.html
‘We have nowhere to return to’: How Russia is seizing homes in occupied Ukraine (BBC Verify)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-f153d864-33b6-4ffa-823a-bf085f8ec5e1
Ukraine Receives Bodies of 261 Fallen Soldiers From Russia (Kyiv Post)
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/82292
EMAIL US:
Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Ukraine 'destroys North Korean missiles 6000km inside Russia'
- Huge explosion rips through Italian munitions factory
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