Huge explosion at ‘vital’ Russia oil refinery & how China secretly arms Russia with drones

Day 1,290.


Today, after another important Coalition of the Willing summit in
Paris, we discuss Vladimir Putin’s warning that any Western
peacekeeping forces deployed to Ukraine would be considered a
“legitimate” target. Then, we dive into an investigation on how
China is providing drones parts to Russia and effectively
sustaining its ability to continue waging its war against
Ukraine. Finally, Dom dials in on his last day in Prague
attending the International Institute for Strategic Studies
Defence Summit. 


Contributors:


Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist and Producer). @adeliepjz on X.


Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley
on X.


Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls
on X.


Sophia Yan (Senior Foreign Correspondent). @Sophia_Yan on X.


Content Referenced:


How China is secretly arming Russia, (Sophia Yan in The
Telegraph):


https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/09/03/how-china-is-secretly-arming-russia/


Putin: British troops in Ukraine ‘legitimate’ target for Russia
(The Telegraph):


https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/09/05/putin-western-troops-in-ukraine-legitimate-target-russia/ 


‘Battle Lines: Inside the rise of China’s military - and what it
means for Taiwan’:


https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/08/08/battle-lines-podcast-inside-the-rise-of-chinas-military/


IISS Prague Defence Summit: 


https://www.iiss.org/events/prague-defence-summit/prague-defence-summit-2025/ 


SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY
NEWSLETTER:


https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/  


Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your
questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive
analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the
frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily
reporting. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers.


NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:


The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The
Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible
to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the
wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just
search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние
Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them.
Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatest


Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest


Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.