About this episode
Day 1,421.Today, as President Zelensky declares a national emergency over the energy crisis triggered by Russian attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure, we ask what Europe’s strategy is now, before examining reports Russia has forced African recruits into suicide missions on the battlefield. Then we assess how events in Iran and Venezuela could reshape global energy prices, and whether those shocks will ultimately help or hinder Vladimir Putin.ContributorsFrancis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.Ben Farmer (Africa correspondent). @benfarmer on X.Stephanie Baker(Senior writer at Bloomberg and sanctions expert). @StephaniBaker 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:Russia forces African recruits to become suicide bombers (The Telegraph):https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/01/12/russia-using-africans-cannon-fodder-ukraine/ EU chief diplomat Kallas: World’s woes mean it’s time to start drinking (POLITICO):https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-chief-diplomat-kaja-kallas-state-world-means-time-start-drinking/ EU reveals details on 90 billion 'Ukraine Support Loan' (Kyiv Independent):https://kyivindependent.com/eu-reveals-details-on-90-billion-ukraine-support-loan/?mc_cid=28574c74cc&mc_eid=08d0680a95 Stephanie Baker’s Book: ‘Punishing Putin: The gripping expose of the global economic sanctions against Russia’s war in Ukraine’ – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Punishing-Putin-gripping-economic-sanctions-ebook/dp/B0CWWFJ52GLISTEN TO THIS PODCAST IN NEW LANGUAGES:The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Uk
