Battleground

Saul and Patrick are back from Ukraine, a trip which has deeply advanced their understanding of what’s going on, at every level, which is something they've needed this week as the situation is pretty hard to read. They asses the latest progression of the Ukrainian counter-offensive, some intriguing stories of further dissension between elements of the Russian forces, as well as some hugely significant moves by President Zelensky to clean up corruption inside the Ukrainian military. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Joining Saul and Patrick in the historic centre of Lviv in Western Ukraine, are two old friends of the podcast - Joe Lindsley and Askold Krushelnycky. In our first podcast recorded on the ground in Ukraine, Saul and Patrick discuss their first impressions, the reaction of locals to air raid siren's sounded over Lviv, and the need for more air-defence systems for Ukraine. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Saul and Patrick are currently on the road in Poland on their way to a long overdue tour of Ukraine - where they’ll be meeting up with some old friends of the podcast and making some new ones. They look back at the previous week where there have been some interesting developments on the diplomatic front, Ukrainian cross river operations, and a remarkable North Korean Cyber attack on... Russia. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Joining Patrick and Saul for this week's big interview is Professor of Military History at Birmingham University - Jonathan Boff, who specialises in the First World War. He discusses the collapse of the Russian Army during the First World War, draws comparisons between the Russian army back then and now, and discusses how reparation payments may play out after this current conflict is over. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week Saul and Patrick consider recent Ukrainian gains on the battlefield, the ramping up of Ukrainian drone strikes on targets inside Russia and in the Black Sea, including high rise office buildings in Moscow. They also discuss Russia’s response to pulling out of the Black Sea grain deal and the latest coming out of Belarus - where the Wagner saga rumbles on. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join us for the second part of our extraordinary interview with Aiden Aslin - the British national captured by Russian forces after the siege of Mariupol. In this part of his gripping story he describes the brutality of his time in captivity, where he was violently beaten and was forced to conduct recorded video interviews for propaganda purposes, before finally, he was released as part of a prisoner swap deal. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson Twitter: @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, Saul and Patrick reflect on what has been a busy week both on and off the battlefield. They discuss the significance of Zelnsky’s statement that the Ukrainian counteroffensive may increase in tempo. They also reflect on Igor Girkin’s arrest and whether it could be part of a wider crack down by Putin on Russian ultra-nationalists. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson Twitter: @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode Saul and Patrick speak to Briton Aiden Aslin, who travelled to Ukraine in 2018 and enlisted with the Ukrainian 36th Naval Infantry Brigade. He describes his time on the frontlines in the Donbas before the full scale invasion was launched in February 2022, when he was deployed to Mariupol. Aiden was then surrounded by Russian forces in the Siege of Mariupol where he describes what it was like in the vast steel works complex in the final days of the siege before his surrender to Russian troops. Join us next week for the second half of Aiden's interview when he describes his time in Russian captivity. If you have any thoughts or questions, send them to [email protected]. Producer: James Hodgson Twitter: @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Analysing a notable week in the war in Ukraine, Saul and Patrick discuss the significance of Ukraines second spectacular attack on the Kerch Bridge, the unrest in the Russian military leadership that has led to multiple sackings and removals, and some further discussion on the use of cluster munitions - whether their effectiveness outweighs the questionable moral implications. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson Twitter: @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week Saul and Patrick speak to Dmytro Plieshakov - a Ukrainian tech entrepreneur, who currently runs a startup focused on countering disinformation, called Osavul. They work closely with the Ukrainian government providing them with AI technology that can identify Russian influence operations online and better counter them. Dmytro describes examples of Russian disinformation campaigns and what impact they are designed to have, as well as the very real impact they can have. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson Twitter: @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Reflecting on what has been news packed week, Patrick and Saul analyse the important developments. In Vilnius, the NATO summit has just ended with some signs that tensions are growing between leading Nato members and Kyiv, on the battlefield there are reports that Ukrainian forces are suffering heavy casualties as the counteroffensive grinds on, but there are indications that progress is being made. And as we’ve come to expect there have been more fascinating twists in the Wagner saga – with reports that Prigozhin himself has had a cosy chat with the Vladmir Putin, to discuss his future employment. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson Twitter: @PodBattleground Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Joining Patrick and Saul for this week's big interview is Belgian journalist - Arnaud De Decker, Arnaud has been reporting from Ukraine for over a year now and has been right up to the front lines, including Bakhmut. He tells us about his close call with a missile strike in Kramatorsk, the changes in the public attitude towards the war in different parts of Ukraine, and more. You can check out his work on his social media accounts: Instagram - arnaud.dedecker Twitter - @arnauddedecker If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson Twitter: @PodBattleground Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of Battleground: Ukraine, Saul and Patrick discuss the significant events that have come over the last seven days, both on and off the battlefield, including a warning from Ukraine’s President Zelensky that Russia may be planning to blow up the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. They also discuss some fascinating points and questions raised by listeners, including some highlighting the long reach of Putin's propaganda which continues to heavily influence some people outside of Russia. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson Twitter: @PodBattleground Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Joining Saul for this week's big interview is American journalist Joe Lindsley, the escaped protégé of the founder of Fox News, who has not left Ukraine since March 2020, when the pandemic began. At the start of the Russian full scale invasion of Ukraine, Lindsley started Ukrainian Freedom News to bring truth to the world and supplies to Ukraine. He speaks to Saul about his work and experiences, and describes the current feelings of the people in Ukraine at the moment. You can check out Ukrainian Freedom News here: https://www.ukrainianfreedomnews.com/ If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson Twitter: @PodBattleground Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week Saul and Patrick reflect on what was perhaps the most dramatic event since the full scale invasion began sixteen long months ago. The Wagner mutiny has exposed weaknesses in Putin's regime and some are predicting it may well mark the beginning of the end of his long rule. They look into how likely that is, how the end might come about, and also what happens next to Prigozhin and his Wagner group. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson Twitter: @PodBattleground Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Joining Patrick and Saul on this week's Big Interview is Alan Philps, who has worked as a reporter in Moscow on and off since he was the Reuters trainee there in 1979. He has a deep knowledge of the country and provides some fascinating insight into the senior Russian military leadership, the internal power struggles within the Russian hierarchy, and the way Russia has conducted itself in the past 30 years. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson Twitter: @PodBattleground Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this special emergency podcast Saul and Patrick react to an extraordinary 36 hours, where Prigozhin's Wagner forces went into outright rebellion against the Russian Military and by association Putin himself. They talk through what has happened and discuss what all this means for Putin, The Russian Military, and the war in Ukraine. This emergency podcast was recorded on Sunday morning 25th June. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson Twitter: @PodBattleground Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week Saul and Patrick assess the second week of Ukrainian offensive operations, where progress is slow, and coming at a cost. They also discuss some concerning developments in Russia's electronic warfare capability, Russia's increasing utilisation of their air superiority, and look at some fascinating input from our listeners - which sheds some more light on the Nord Stream pipeline sabotage attack. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson Twitter: @PodBattleground Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What's the current situation in the frontlines in Ukraine? Well this week's guest is Colin Freeman, who is expertly placed to tell us - he spoke to Patrick from near the frontlines in the Donetsk region, giving some valuable insight into what has been happening on the ground, the recent incursions by Ukrainian backed fighters over the Russian border, and the morale of Ukrainian troops and civilians. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson Twitter: @PodBattleground Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Battleground Ukraine: Saul and Patrick look back on a very eventful week, with the Ukrainian’s launching attacks at several points along the front with some success, retaking up to a 100 square kilometres of occupied territory. They also look at the latest coming out of Moscow - with Vladimir Putin taking the unusual step of summoning journalists and milbloggers in order to reassure ultra nationalists about the Ukrainian counteroffensive. They also answer listeners questions from around the world, and if you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson Twitter: @PodBattleground Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Colonel Hamish de Bretton-Gordon joins Saul and Patrick for this week's big interview. Hamish brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from his time as commanding officer of the UK's Joint Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Regiment and from his active service during the first Gulf War. Among other things Hamish discusses his concern over what the Russians may do with the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant following their destruction of the Kakhovka Dam, and the potential If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson Twitter: @PodBattleground Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In a week with much to discuss, Saul and Patrick take a look at the latest developments including the two stories that have been dominating the news: the probable start of the much-anticipated Ukrainian counter-offensive which, in turn, has panicked Russia into the deliberate destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam on the Dnipro River. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson Twitter: @PodBattleground Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Joining Patrick and Saul on this week's Big Interview, is military analyst and author Frank Ledwidge. Frank is also a former barrister and Military Intelligence Officer and has recently returned from a trip to Ukraine with a high level delegation - where he spoke to senior Ukrainian officials and had rare access to a Ukrainian prisoner of war camp. He also discussed the recent changes in Ukrainian strategy, with the recent cross border raids into Russia and drone attacks on Moscow. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson Twitter: @PodBattleground Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Battleground: Ukraine, Saul and Patrick discuss the increasing instances of strikes within Russia's borders, with drone attacks in Moscow in the past week, and whether this indicates a change in Ukrainian strategy. They also reflect on what appeared to be the largest drone attack on the Kyiv since the start of the war, and the effectiveness of Ukrainian air defences. They also delve into some fascinating information shared by listeners and answer some of their questions. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson Twitter: @PodBattleground Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this week's Big Interview, Saul and Patrick welcome back friend of the show Lieutenant Colonel Pavlo Khazan of the Ukrainian Army to the podcast. Originally an environmental scientist from the Dnipro region of Eastern Ukraine, Pavlo gives us an update on what his team has been up to, the impact of western aid, and his current perspective on the war. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson Twitter: @PodBattleground Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Battleground: Ukraine, Saul and Patrick dissect an eventful week of news surrounding the ongoing war in Ukraine. Bakhmut has fallen to Prigozhin’s Wagner PMC - but is it a Pyrrhic victory that will ultimately cost the Russians dear? How significant is the momentous news that Ukraine will be provided with F-16 fighter jets? And they discuss the extraordinary events that saw anti-Kremlin fighters from the so-called Russian Freedom Legion capture a cluster of villages in Russia’s Belgogrod region. They also answer a wide range of listeners questions. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson Twitter: @PodBattleground Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week's Big Interview, Saul and Patrick speak to British journalist and policy analyst - Anatol Lieven, who has recently returned from a trip to Ukraine. In a thought provoking and intriguing interview Anatol challenges some of the established positions and narratives surrounding the conflict, and raised concern about the prospect of Ukraine launching an offensive into Crimea. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson Twitter: @PodBattleground Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Battleground: Ukraine - Saul and Patrick discuss all the latest developments in the past week, including the latest new weaponry the west has provided to the Ukrainians, the unfolding situation on the frontlines, and the evolving situation in the skies. They also discuss a wide array of listeners points and questions, from Ukrainian challenges and countersigns to the sheer geographical scale of Ukraine. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson Twitter: @PodBattleground Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this week's big interview Saul and Patrick speak to journalist and former lecturer of history at Oxford University - Dr Richard Lofthouse - who's recently returned from his second trip to Ukraine since the full scale invasion last year. He spoke to numerous people about their experiences, including the founder of the Georgian National Legion in Ukraine, Mamuka Mamulashvili. He also explains his volunteer work with the charity car4ukraine.com which sources vehicles across Europe and the UK, modifies them, and sends them to the frontlines in Ukraine. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson Twitter: @PodBattleground Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week Saul and Patrick take a look at the latest developments surrounding the war in Ukraine, including the scaled-back Victory Day parade in Moscow that featured just a single tank, Wagner PMC boss Yevgeny Prigozhin's latest expletive-laden rant, and the recent developments coming out of the battle for Bakhmut. They also answer a host of fascinating questions from our listeners. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson Twitter: @PodBattleground Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Joining Saul for this week's Big Interview is award winning British photographer Mark Neville. He emotionally describes his personal experience of the war as a resident of Ukraine in Kyiv, his recent book project - Stop Tanks With Books - released a matter of days before the full scale invasion, and his work helping those most in need, with the charity - postcode Ukraine. If you would like to know more about Mark's charity or help out with donations, you can find more information at www.postcodeukraine.com If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson Twitter: @PodBattleground Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week Saul and Patrick gave their immediate reaction to the drone attack on the Kremlin, as news broke during the recording of this episode. They also analyse the huge losses that the Russians have suffered since the turn of the year, a peace proposal brought forward by Pope Francis, and answer some of the many listeners questions. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson Twitter: @PodBattleground Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Joining Saul to discuss a wide range of topics - from the Nord Stream pipeline sabotage - to Russia's failure to learn from its mistakes, is one of the most incisive commentators on the war - Professor Phillips O’Brien, head of the School of International Relations at the University of St Andrews. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson Twitter: @PodBattleground Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week Patrick and Saul discuss the latest developments as Russia prepares to defend the territory it holds in eastern Ukraine against Ukraine’s expected counteroffensive. This includes the latest round of sackings and promotions at the top, and an announcement that T-14 Armata tanks – the most sophisticated that the Russians have – are being sent to the battlefield. They also answer a host of fascinating listeners questions. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson Twitter: @PodBattleground Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week's big interview, Patrick ad Saul are joined by veteran reporter Philip Ittner - who at the outbreak of the full scale invasion headed straight to Ukraine - where he has remained since. He describes the situation on the ground in Ukraine and the palpable sense of suspense surrounding the much discussed upcoming Ukrainian counter-offensive. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson Twitter: @PodBattleground Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week Saul and Patrick discuss the latest twist in the extraordinary story of Wagner group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin. Only a few weeks ago it seemed that his star was waning – instead it seems he’s back in favour with the man who matters – Vladimir Putin. They also discuss the ongoing fallout from the US intelligence leak, and answer a wide variety of listeners questions. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson Twitter: @PodBattleground Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Julius Strauss returns to the podcast in this week's interview, he's back in Ukraine and has been traveling across the country from Lviv in the the west, to close to the frontline in the East. He discusses some of the realities and tensions inside Ukraine - from the rift in the Orthodox Church to the use of Russian language by sections of the population. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode Saul and Patrick review the US intelligence leak and what this tells us about the reach of US intelligence, the state of the Ukrainian armed forces, and the consequences of the leak for the upcoming Ukrainian counter-offensive. They also discuss a couple of interesting developments within Russia: including reports that Wagner group boss Yevgeny Prigozhin is advancing his political aspirations by seeking to gain control of a Russian political party. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson Twitter: @PodBattleground Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week's interview discusses the decision by ICC judges to issue arrest warrants against Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova. Joining Saul and Patrick to delve into the topic are two Hague based journalists and hosts of international justice podcast Asymmetrical Haircuts - Janet Anderson and Stephanie van den Berg. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson Twitter: @PodBattleground Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on Battleground: Saul and Patrick cast doubt over claims by the Wagner group that they have more or less taken Bakhmut, they take a look at the possible suspects behind the assassination of a Russian military blogger in St Petersburg, and they look at Finlands rapid accession to NATO which doubles NATO's border with Russia. They also delve into a fascinating haul of listeners questions. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson Twitter: @PodBattleground Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Joining Patrick and Saul for this week's interview is Matteo Patrone - the Managing Director of Eastern Europe and the Caucasus (EEC) at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). He discusses the work the EBRD has done in Ukraine both since the collapse of communism in the 1990's and more recently since Russia's full scale invasion last year. He also sets out how much Ukraine will need in the process of reconstruction once the war is over. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson Twitter: @PodBattleground Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices