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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