Exclusive: ‘Killing Russians is fun’ – First ever interview with a Ukrainian resistance leader

Exclusive: ‘Killing Russians is fun’ – First ever interview with a Ukrainian resistance leader

Author: The Telegraph April 23, 2026 Duration: 45:04

Day 1,519.

Today, in a global first, we bring you an exclusive interview with a leading member of Ukraine’s resistance movement operating inside Russian-occupied territory. We also give you updates as President Zelensky arrives in Cyprus met with confirmation that the European Union has not only formally approved the €90 billion loan for Ukraine, but also a 20th package of sanctions against Russia. We report on Ukrainian strikes against a major Russian counterintelligence unit, before examining how the US military has begun deploying Ukrainian counter-drone technology at an air base in Saudi Arabia to defend against Iran.


Contributors:

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

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

With thanks to Petro of the Ukrainian resistance, and Dr Jade McGlynn and the Centre for Statecraft and National Security at King’s College London for assisting with this interview.


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: ‘Inside the Ukrainian resistance in Russia’s occupied territories’:

https://youtu.be/nLERq02oexs 


My grandfather ended Stalinism – now Putin has labelled me a ‘foreign agent’ (Iona Cleave in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/04/21/nina-khrushcheva-putin-bringing-back-stalinism-russia/ 


US turns to Ukrainian counter-drone tech after Iran attacks, sources say (Reuters):

https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/us-turns-ukrainian-counter-drone-tech-after-iran-attacks-sources-say-2026-04-22/ 


Russia could be ready for NATO conflict year after Ukraine, Dutch warn (Defense News):

https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/04/22/russia-could-be-ready-for-nato-conflict-year-after-ukraine-dutch-warn/


Public Annual Report 2025 Military Intelligence and Security Service (Dutch Intelligence):

https://www.defensie.nl/documenten/2026/04/21/openbaar-jaarverslag-2025-militaire-inlichtingen--en-veiligheidsdienst


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:

  • First ever interview with a Ukrainian resistance leader 
  • Updates as Zelensky finally gets EU’s €90bn loan

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Each weekday, the team behind Ukraine: The Latest from The Telegraph provides a comprehensive and clear-eyed update on the ongoing war. This isn't just a headline recap. Instead, their journalists and experts delve into the day's developments with depth and context, weaving together frontline dispatches, strategic military analysis, and discussions on the economic and human impacts that define this conflict. You'll hear from reporters on the ground, conversations about historical parallels, and examinations of how the war shapes global politics, energy markets, and culture. With over 138 million downloads, this award-winning daily podcast has become an essential resource for listeners seeking to move beyond the news cycle and understand the multifaceted reality of the war. The coverage naturally expands from battlefield tactics to the stories of refugees, the resilience of daily life, and the geopolitical shifts reverberating worldwide. For a consistent, trusted, and nuanced perspective, this podcast offers a vital daily briefing that connects the immediate events to their broader significance, ensuring you are informed on every dimension of this defining story.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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