Putin's troops abandon positions as supply lines 'at breaking point' & Russian commander 'assassinated by car bomb'

Day 1,565.


As Russian forces reportedly withdraw from part of the southern
Ukrainian frontline amid mounting supply problems, Francis and
Dom examine claims that logistics networks in the sector are
approaching breaking point. Dom reports on a huge explosion in
Russia’s Belgorod region and a car bomb in Moscow Oblast, as the
war’s effects continue to be felt far beyond the battlefield.
Then they assess the EU’s proposed 21st sanctions package,
including plans to ban Russian military personnel from entering
the bloc, and consider what a two-tier Europe – allowing some
countries affiliate membership without full participation in all
EU structures – would mean. Later, Ruben Stewart of the
International Institute for Strategic Studies explores what a war
between NATO and Russia might look like if the US were to
withdraw from the alliance.


Contributors:


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


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


With thanks to Ruben Stewart, Senior Fellow for Land Warfare at
the International Institute for Strategic Studies.


Producer: Phil Atkins


Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett


Video Producer: James England


Social Producer: Tom Steed


Studio Director: Meghan Searle


Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley


Created by David Knowles


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:


Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, June 8, 2026 (Institute
for the Study of War)


https://understandingwar.org/research/russia-ukraine/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-june-8-2026/


The Ukrainian weapons boom catching Putin off guard (Verity
Bowman for The Telegraph)


https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/09/ukrainian-weapons-boom-catching-putin-off-guard/ 


Zelensky invites King to Ukraine for state visit (Ruby Cline for
The Telegraph)


https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/09/ukrainian-president-zelensky-state-visit-king-charles/ 


Read the Irish Times’ coverage of the Aughinish Alumina story:
https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/aughinish-alumina/ 


Berlin declares Franco-German fighter jet project dead in blow to
Macron (Politico)


https://www.politico.eu/article/berlin-declares-france-germany-next-gen-fighter-jet-project-dead/ 


Prosecute Orbán’s inner circle over ‘stolen’ billions, Hungary’s
anti-corruption watchdog says (Politico)


https://www.politico.eu/article/hungary-watchdog-urges-probe-viktor-orban-officials-over-missing-eu-funds/ 


EU quota system ‘could kill Ukrainian steel industry’, boss says
(The Guardian)


https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/jun/09/eu-quota-ukrainian-steel-industry-metinvest 


Ukrainian Drones Now Autonomously Down Shaheds (Kyiv Post)


https://www.kyivpost.com/post/77764


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:


Putin's troops abandon positions as supply lines 'at breaking
point' 

Russian commander 'assassinated by car bomb'






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