Ukraine: The Latest

Putin hails Musk the 'genius' as Moscow builds its own version of Starlink

Ukraine: The Latest

Show Notes

Day 1,705. Today, as civilians prepare to leave occupied Oleshky while the ceasefire holds, we ask whether all is as it seems, with reports suggesting Putin approached Melania Trump to help broker the ceasefire. Meanwhile, as Moscow hosts representatives from 48 African countries, we hear Putin describe Elon Musk as “a genius”. Plus, Britain’s former Defence Secretary, now in charge of the nation’s finances, announces fresh support for Ukraine. But does it go far enough? Then, later, we shine a spotlight on one extraordinary volunteer.

Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X. Lilian Fawcett (Telegraph Journalist and Senior Producer on Ukraine: The Latest). @LilianFawcett on X. With thanks to Peter and his family, as well as photographer William Jones-Warner (www.williamjoneswarner.com).

Producer: Rachel Porter Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan and Tom Steed Social Producer: Natalia Makohon and Lilian Fawcett Studio Director: Meghan Searle Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley Created by David Knowles

SUPPORT US – JOIN OUR MEMBERS’ CLUB For more from the team, join UTL+. For a small monthly fee, you’ll get behind-the-scenes content, bonus videos, and discounted tickets to live events and merch: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdHjleMvPSs-JEjiQ8_D2cA/join If you joined shortly after we launched the membership scheme yesterday (Monday 26th), email [email protected] with your YouTube handle and mailing address. If you’re one of the first 50, we’ll send you a mug!

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: Buy tickets to War Room, a new interactive event in London: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph-events/the-war-room/

Members of UTL+ can read the members-only YouTube post here to find out how they could win a free ticket: https://www.youtube.com/post/UgkxqSgx1mio5cviI1WrQnrbAdIurGr7AxyO

Read about the charity that Peter and his family work with, Stand For U Brighton & Hove: https://www.standforukrainebnh.org/

Join our Members’ Club, UTL+: For a small monthly fee, you’ll get behind-the-scenes content, bonus videos, and discounted tickets to live events and merch: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdHjleMvPSs-JEjiQ8_D2cA/join

Exclusive: Putin 'wanted very much' for Melania Trump to broker Oleshky ceasefire, first lady adviser says (Kyiv Independent): https://kyivindependent.com/exclusive-putin-wanted-very-much-for-melania-trump-to-broker-oleshky-ceasefire-first-lady-adviser-says/

Volodymyr Zelenskyy opens door to security guarantees for Russia (Financial Times) https://www.ft.com/content/8ec7d6f2-403a-4f80-89fc-5ed5e75fed63?syn-25a6b1a6=1

Russia turns to Arctic WW2 route to export grain (Reuters) https://www.reuters.com/business/russia-turns-arctic-ww2-route-export-grain-2026-10-28/

Putin hails Musk as ‘real genius’ after Starlink slowdown (The Telegraph): https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/10/29/putin-hails-musk-real-genius-starlink-slowdown/

EMAIL US: Contact the team on [email protected]. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS: Putin hails Musk the 'genius' as Moscow builds its own version of Starlink Russian president 'wanted very much' for Melania Trump to broker Oleshky ceasefire Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More from Ukraine: The Latest

Oct 28, 2026

Day 1,704. Today, as the ceasefire in occupied Oleshky is extended across the wider region, we discuss disturbing reports that Ukrainian civilians evacuating the town may be taken to Russia. Then, we bring you reports of a row between the Ukrainian delegation and Donald Trump’s envoys when the latter tabled a peace plan that would see Russian oil and gas flow through Ukrainian pipelines. Later, we bring you the next of our regular deep drives into Russian politics and the economy, and details of the conversation between Putin and the leaders of Norway and Finland. Finally, we hear about a visit of Ukrainian drones companies showcasing their abilities here in Britain as the government warns of the possibility of war with Moscow.

Oct 27, 2026

Day 1,703. Today, as the ceasefire in occupied Oleshky – brokered by Melania Trump and the Pope – seems to be holding, we report how the Kremlin is already looking to exploit the rare outbreak of genuine humanitarian news. Europe deploys the Trump-whisperer Alexander Stubb to speak to Putin ahead of peace talks in Abu Dhabi. Meanwhile, the UN accuses Russia of war crimes and US vice president JD Vance rails against ‘tin pot dictators’ forcing up gas prices in America. And later, Adelie looks at one unexplored consequence of the war on Ukrainian children: the thousands of Ukrainian teenagers that are growing up in Europe…alone.

Oct 26, 2026

Day 1,702. Today, as the Kremlin prioritises Putin’s lakeside retreat for additional air defence systems, the impact is felt elsewhere with multiple Ukrainian strikes across the rest of Russia over the weekend, some by new stocks of British Storm Shadow cruise missiles. Then we discuss the latest on the ceasefire agreed for the people of the besieged city of Oleshky and consider whether the White House is taking credit for something brokered by others. Plus, we reveal a new way to support our work and access behind-the-scenes content from us: become a member of the Ukraine: The Latest club.

Oct 23, 2026

Day 1,699. Today, we start with a breaking story: First Lady Melania Trump has brokered a localised ceasefire in the city of Oleshky, the White House says, after weeks of humanitarian emergency in the occupied city. Then, we continue to untangle the big story of this week: Starlink. Who cut it, and why? Has it been restored? In Brussels, European leaders are being auditioned for a brand new role: Europe’s new negotiator to Russia, as Germany says the country is targeted by an intensive espionage campaign. And finally, we go to Warsaw for the premiere of a brand new opera: The Mothers of Kherson.

Oct 22, 2026

Day 1,698. Today, as Russia’s ‘humanitarian’ ballistic missiles land in Kyiv, diplomatic efforts continue to try to get a trilateral meeting between Zelensky, Putin and Trump, with the latter saying "we are closer to peace than ever". And as Ukraine’s General Staff says Russia suffered the highest daily loss since the start of the full-scale invasion, Kyiv also claims to have advanced behind Russian lines around Kupiansk. And we have a Telegraph exclusive that shows how Russia is using civilian fishing trawlers to spy on the UK’s critical undersea cables, with one NATO official telling us: “Some of these ships have never seen a single fish on their deck”.

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