Ukraine’s secret Donbas counterattack as Kyiv intercepts first Russian ballistic missiles in a month

Are fresh talks between Kyiv and Moscow on the horizon? Today, an hours-long drone and missile attack on Kyiv overnight as Russia continues its push on three key towns in the fortress belt in the East. But in some welcome news, Ukraine appears to have repelled Putin’s forces north of Lyman in a secret counterattack. Plus, the real reason for CIA director John Ratfcliffe’s visit to Moscow this week, and President Zelensky’s top aid says Ukraine and Russia could hold talks as soon as September. Then Francis reports from Germany, where elections could trigger a dramatic shift in the country’s defence policy. Meanwhile Friedrich Merz’s government considers investing in Britain’s nuclear programme to bolster Europe’s deterrent against Moscow. Chapters 00:00 Episode Overview & Headlines 01:01 Kyiv Targeted by Barrage of Missiles and Drones 03:12 Ground War Update: Russian Offensive on Eastern Fortress Belt 05:46 Secret Ukrainian Counterattack Pushes Forces North of Lyman 06:33 Drone Strikes Take Major Russian Refineries Offline 07:24 CIA Director Ratcliffe Warns Moscow on Baltic Threats & Iran 08:11 Energy Embezzlement Probe Entangles Ukrainian Officials 09:03 Hungary’s New PM Peter Magyar Condemns Russian Aggression 11:06 Germany Considers Co-Funding Britain’s Nuclear Deterrent 12:10 Dispatch from Berlin: German Conscription & Defense Policy Debate 15:07 Russian Hybrid Warfare Operations & Leipzig Sabotage Plot 22:10 The Rise of the AfD: Regional Elections & Foreign Policy Risks 31:46 Economic Downturn & Automotive Industry Identity Crisis in Germany 36:25 French Intelligence Warns of Hostile Russian Interference 38:08 Remembering Alexei Ucav: Ukraine’s 'Collector of Souls' Contributors: Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X. Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X. James Rothwell (Berlin Correspondent). @JamesERothwell on X. Producer: Rachel Porter Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett Video Producer: James England and Hana Kelly 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: @ukrainethelatest CONTENT REFERENCED: If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at [email protected] Explosions, jet-powered drones rock Kyiv as rare hours-long Russian aerial attack continues into afternoon (Kyiv Independent) https://kyivindependent.com/explosion... 'The city is dying' — Ukrainians in Kramatorsk brace for worst as Russian forces inch closer (Asami Terajima for the Kyiv Independent) https://kyivindependent.com/the-city-... CIA chief used Moscow visit to warn Russia against attacks on NATO allies, helping Iran (Politico) https://www.politico.com/news/2026/08... Germany in talks to help fund Trident (Joe Barnes, James Rothwell and James Crisp for The Telegraph) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-new... German politician wants to hold swingers’ party in city hall (James Rothwell for The Telegraph) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-new... EMAIL US: Contact the team on [email protected]. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible. #UkraineWar #RussiaUkraineWar #UkraineNews #TelegraphUkraine #UkraineTheLatest #KyivAttack #Zelensky #Putin #MilitaryAnalysis #Geopolitics #AfD #GermanPolitics #CIAMoscow #DefenseNews #FrontlineUpdate