Exclusive: Inside NATO's secret base preparing for war with Russia

Day 1,548.

Today, as the US administration reveals details of its participation in Vladimir Putin’s flagship business and investment forum, Russia and Belarus conclude major nuclear exercises just as Ukraine continues its campaign of strikes against oil and gas infrastructure near Moscow. We also examine Kyiv’s latest act of political trolling: a “Refinery Advent Calendar” tracking how many Russian energy targets Ukrainian forces have hit this month alone. And later, Dom reflects on a day spent deep inside a secret section of the London Underground, where he interviewed a senior NATO commander who warns that while Russia’s forces may not be unbeatable, they are now far more battle-hardened, battle-tested, and lethal than they were at the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022.

NOTE: Monday 25th is a Bank Holiday in the UK. Normal service will resume on Tuesday.

Contributors:

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

With thanks to Lieutenant General Michael Richard Elviss, CB, MBE – commander of NATO’s Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC).

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:

Dom’s Video interview with top NATO commander in secret London base:

https://youtu.be/vEKtKqMs-9E?si=Cp-3GOrW_dUcrLYG

Putin’s attack on Hungarians in Ukraine marks new phase of war (Verity Bowman in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/05/21/putins-attack-hungarians-new-phase-ukraine-war-russia/ 

Austrian ex-intelligence officer found guilty of Russia spying charges (BBC):

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwy21541dz4o 

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk . We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many on air and in our newsletter as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Exclusive: Inside NATO's secret base preparing for war with Russia
• Putin loses 145,000 troops in 2026

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