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  • 400. Human Safari in Kherson & Drone Interceptors at Chernobyl

    400. Human Safari in Kherson & Drone Interceptors at Chernobyl
    May 17 2026
    In this special edition of Battleground Ukraine, Saul David and Patrick Bishop catch up with friend of the show - intrepid Hungarian war reporter Boldi Gyori, who has just returned from the front lines and the deeply scarred landscapes of Ukraine. Boldi paints a vivid, surreal, and at times dystopian picture of a conflict that has evolved into a "forever war" for those living through it. The Chernobyl Exclusion Zone Today: Forty years after the nuclear catastrophe, Boldi explores a lush but heavily militarised zone where thousands of workers and soldiers monitor radiation and guard against a repeat of the 2022 Russian invasion. He shares a chilling look inside a Pripyat hospital basement where the clothing of the original first responders remains too radioactive to touch. The "Human Safari" of Kherson: A brutal look at a besieged city where Russian FPV drones explicitly target civilians on the street. Boldi details how locals use Telegram channels to duck from shadow to shadow, how a brave Hungarian volunteer smuggles in life-saving baby formula, and why thousands of citizens simply cannot afford to leave. The Tech Battleground: An inside look at the high-tech, 3D-printed interceptor drones deployed by Ukrainians from ordinary minivans to knock out Russian Shahed and Molniya drones mid-air with an astonishing 85–90% success rate. A Shift in Budapest: Following a major election victory in Hungary, Boldi breaks down why the Kremlin has stopped pulling its punches in the western region of Transcarpathia—and how Hungary's new government is finally pushing back against Russian aggression. Join the Conversation: If you have a question about the war in Ukraine or any of the conflicts we cover, email us at podbattleground@gmail.com Follow us on: X - @PodBattleground Instagram - podbattleground TikTok - battlegroundukraine Producer: James Hodgson A Goalhanger Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    24 Min.
  • 399. Is This the Beginning of the End?

    399. Is This the Beginning of the End?
    May 14 2026
    In this week’s episode, Saul David and Patrick Bishop explore whether the tide has finally turned in the four-year conflict. Following a series of strategic and symbolic blows to the Kremlin, the team asks: Are we witnessing the beginning of the end for Vladimir Putin’s "Special Military Operation"? The Humiliation of Red Square: We break down Putin’s "feeble" May 9th Victory Parade. From the bizarre request for a two-day truce to the total absence of tanks and modern hardware, what does this scaled-back spectacle reveal about the current state of the Russian military? The Drone Revolution: Ukraine’s "mid-range" dominance is changing the math on the front lines. We look at how AI-integrated drones and Starlink are bypassing Russian EW systems to strike deep into logistics hubs, specifically targeting the vital H-20 highway. Cracks in the Kremlin: With reports of a shrinking Russian economy and Putin’s increasing reliance on bunkers and bodyguards, we discuss the rumours of internal paranoia and a potential coup. The Road to Istanbul: For the first time since 2019, a face-to-face meeting between Zelensky and Putin looks possible. Encouraged by Donald Trump and facilitated by Turkey, could this be the breakthrough the world has been waiting for—or is it another tactical stall? Operation Midas: Domestically, Zelensky faces a political firestorm as his former Chief of Staff, Andriy Yermak, is charged in a massive £76m energy corruption scandal. We examine what this means for Ukraine’s EU ambitions and why "no one being above the law" might actually be a sign of democratic strength. Join the Conversation: If you have a question about the war in Ukraine or any of the conflicts we cover, email us at podbattleground@gmail.com Follow us on: X - @PodBattleground Instagram - podbattleground TikTok - battlegroundukraine Producer: James Hodgson A Goalhanger Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    45 Min.
  • 398. Katya’s War: The Last Night in Avdiivka

    398. Katya’s War: The Last Night in Avdiivka
    May 13 2026
    In the second part of our interview with Katya Ratushna, she recounts the harrowing final days of Avdiivka and shares her strategic vision for the future of the Ukrainian defence. Following her account of Bakhmut in Part 1, Katya offers a raw perspective on the "fate" of being among the last to leave a city on its final night. She offers an unfiltered look at: The Avdiivka Evacuation: A gripping account of a midnight escape where a loose piece of thermal gear saved her from a Russian drone grenade that hit her group. Leadership and Gender: How she earned authority over eight years to command men in the Special Operation Forces and why she believes women bring a unique, "idea-driven" motivation to the front lines. The UAV Revolution: The challenges of scaling drone units and why she believes the military must move beyond technical piloting to a comprehensive system of tactical education. The "Kill Zone" Reality: A candid discussion on manpower, revealing that only an estimated 15% of the army is physically holding the most dangerous front-line positions. A Divided Kharkiv: A deeply personal reflection on the pro-Russian sentiments within her own family and the enduring Ukrainian roots of her home city. Join us for the conclusion of this powerful interview as Katya explores how rational thinking saves lives and why the time bought by defending these cities is Ukraine's most precious resource Join the Conversation: If you have a question about the war in Ukraine or any of the conflicts we cover, email us at podbattleground@gmail.com Follow us on: X - @PodBattleground Instagram - podbattleground TikTok - battlegroundukraine Producer: James Hodgson A Goalhanger Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    41 Min.
  • 397. Is the Kremlin Crumbling? Putin’s Bunkers, Coup Fears, and the Shoigu Suspicion

    397. Is the Kremlin Crumbling? Putin’s Bunkers, Coup Fears, and the Shoigu Suspicion
    May 7 2026
    In this episode of Battleground, Patrick Bishop and Roger Moorhouse dive into the complex and shifting dynamics of the Ukraine conflict. We begin by examining how the escalating tensions between the Trump administration and Iran are creating ripples that reach all the way to Kyiv. As the U.S. appears to seek a rapid exit from its "Operation Epic Fury" in the Gulf, we analyse what this perceived strategic incoherence means for future American support—or lack thereof—for Ukraine. The heart of today's discussion focuses on explosive leaked intelligence reports detailing Vladimir Putin’s intensifying paranoia. From installing surveillance on his own staff to avoiding his usual residences, the Russian leader is reportedly on "high alert" for a potential coup or drone assassination attempt from within his own elite circle. We take a close look at: The Shoigu Suspicion: Why former Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu is now being viewed as a "potential destabilising actor". A "Slimmed-Down" Victory Day: Why the traditional May 9 military parade in Red Square will feature no heavy weaponry this year. The Cost of War at Home: How plummeting approval ratings, 14.5% interest rates, and a crackdown on Telegram are fuelling public dissatisfaction in Russia. Join the Conversation: If you have a question about the war in Ukraine or any of the conflicts we cover, email us at podbattleground@gmail.com Follow us on: X - @PodBattleground Instagram - podbattleground TikTok - battlegroundukraine Producer: James Hodgson A Goalhanger Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    46 Min.
  • 396. Katya’s War: From Kharkiv to Bakhmut

    396. Katya’s War: From Kharkiv to Bakhmut
    May 7 2026
    If you would like to watch this podcast you can watch it on Spotify or you can find it on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@BattlegroundUkraine In this episode, we welcome back a remarkable guest: Katya Ratushna. While some may recognise her from the Academy Award-nominated film Porcelain War, Katya is, above all, a seasoned soldier and a veteran of the Battles for Kharkiv, Bakhmut, and Avdiivka. Speaking from her hometown of Kharkiv, Katya shares her journey from a civilian digging trenches in 2014 to a special operations soldier fighting in the most contested sectors of the full-scale invasion. She offers a raw, unfiltered perspective on: The Early Days of Resistance: How she and a group of 22 friends started the war with their own personal weapons and armour, patrolling Kharkiv in a small Ford Fiesta packed with RPGs. The challenges of Service: A candid discussion on the "conflict of senses" regarding mobilisation and the social complications facing Ukraine as veterans remain on the front lines without enough replacements to rotate out. The "Zoo" of Bakhmut: The chaotic reality of urban combat, where diverse units often struggled with communication and friendly fire, and the heartbreaking silence of friends who have since disappeared. The Final Night: A vivid account of the May 2023 withdrawal from Bakhmut—navigating burning anti-tank mines and manoeuvring a Humvee through exhausted troops as the scent of cherry blossoms signalled a somber end to a fierce campaign. Join us for Part 1 of this powerful interview as Katya dismantles stereotypes and explores why mindset is the most critical survival tool on the modern battlefield. Join the Conversation: If you have a question about the war in Ukraine or any of the conflicts we cover, email us at podbattleground@gmail.com Follow us on: X - @PodBattleground Instagram - podbattleground TikTok - battlegroundukraine Producer: James Hodgson A Goalhanger Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    48 Min.
  • 395. Kinetic Sanctions

    395. Kinetic Sanctions
    Apr 30 2026
    In this episode of Battleground Ukraine, Roger Moorhouse and Saul David explore how Ukraine’s "kinetic sanctions" are successfully targeting the heart of the Russian economy where Western diplomacy has stalled. With 55% of Russia’s refining capacity now in the crosshairs, the strategic impact of long-range drone strikes is becoming impossible for the Kremlin to ignore. We also discuss: The Vanishing Victory Parade: Why Moscow has stripped its iconic Red Square celebration of vehicles and cadets, citing "terrorist threats." The Cyber Front: From the "Tehran-style" internet clampdown in Russia to a daring Ukrainian hack of a military recruitment event at a Russian university. Robot Wars: The implications of the first-ever capture of a military position using exclusively unmanned systems and the mounting Russian personnel losses. Domestic Discontent: How the "Special Military Operation" is finally coming home to the Russian people through "black rain," internet restrictions, and VPN cat-and-mouse games. Join the Conversation: If you have a question about the war in Ukraine or any of the conflicts we cover, email us at podbattleground@gmail.com Follow us on: X - @PodBattleground Instagram - podbattleground Producer: James Hodgson A Goalhanger Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    38 Min.
  • 394. Kharkiv: Flowers, Sunshine, and the Shadow of War

    394. Kharkiv: Flowers, Sunshine, and the Shadow of War
    Apr 28 2026
    If you would like to watch this podcast you can watch it on Spotify or you can find it on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@BattlegroundUkraine In this episode, we arrive in Kharkiv following an overnight train from Odesa to find a city of stark contrasts. While residents carry flowers for International Women’s Day in the beautiful spring sunshine, the scars of war are everywhere, from bombed-out buildings to the distant sound of explosions. We sit down with Public Affairs Officer at the Khartiia Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine, Volodymyr Dehtyarov discuss the evolving tactical landscape of the conflict. He details how Ukraine is adapting with a new, meticulous approach to urban operations that prioritises minimising casualties. Key topics include: The New Minister of Defence: Why the appointment of a young, tech-savvy leader is seen as a pivotal move for the Ukrainian military. A New Way of Fighting: A deep dive into the recent operation in Kupiansk, where meticulous planning and drone-heavy tactics achieved a staggering 20-to-1 casualty ratio. The Drone Revolution: How the battlefield has become "transparent and lethal," leading to the replacement of traditional armoured vehicles with fibre-optic aerial drones and unmanned ground vehicles for logistics and strikes. Cognitive Warfare: The ongoing battle against Russian bot networks and the role of artificial intelligence in shaping public narrative and social division. Julius Strauss writes the blog Back from the Front and also owns and runs Wild Bear Lodge, a bear-viewing lodge, in Canada. Here are the hyperlinks: Substack: https://backfromthefront.substack.com/ Wild Bear Lodge: https://wildbearlodge.ca/ Join the Conversation: If you have a question about the war in Ukraine or any of the conflicts we cover, email us at podbattleground@gmail.com Follow us on: X - @PodBattleground Instagram - podbattleground Producer: James Hodgson A Goalhanger Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    43 Min.
  • 393. The Druzhba Pipeline Deal: Hungary’s New PM & Russia’s Hidden Inflation

    393. The Druzhba Pipeline Deal: Hungary’s New PM & Russia’s Hidden Inflation
    Apr 24 2026
    In this episode of Battleground Ukraine, Saul David and Patrick Bishop dive into the pivotal shifts of the Ukraine War in 2026. From groundbreaking naval drone warfare to the "murky" world of energy diplomacy, we analyse why the Kremlin’s narrative is starting to crumble under the weight of economic reality and technological innovation. In this episode Saul and Patrick look at: The Druzhba Pipeline & Hungary: Analysing new Prime Minister Peter Magyar’s proposal to drop the EU veto in exchange for Russian oil flow. Russia’s Economic State: Why Swedish intelligence believes the Kremlin is hiding a massive budget gap and 15% inflation rate behind "massaged" data. Military Technology Breakthroughs: The impact of the final SpaceX M-code satellite launch on Ukraine's precision strikes and the rise of "un-jammable" GPS. Naval Drone Innovation: A world-first as Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces intercept a Russian Shahid drone using a surface vessel. The Information War: Why Russian GRU hacking campaigns and disinformation failed to sway the Hungarian electorate. Support the Show: If you enjoyed this deep dive into the Russia-Ukraine conflict, please subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Join the Conversation: If you have a question about the war in Ukraine or any of the conflicts we cover, email us at podbattleground@gmail.com Follow us on: X - @PodBattleground Instagram - podbattleground Producer: James Hodgson A Goalhanger Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    42 Min.