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The clock is ticking on Vladimir Putin's presidency as Ukraine’s 40-day deep-strike campaign forces a "logistics lockdown" on occupied territories. This week, Saul David and Patrick Bishop break down the surgical precision of Starlink-guided Zvezducha drones paralyzing Russian supply lines. They also confront tough realities on both sides of the frontline, discussing catastrophic Russian casualty rates alongside a troubling investigation into misconduct within an elite Ukrainian regiment. Plus, a look at rumoured friction between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Valerii Zaluzhnyi over potential…

Battleground

by Goalhanger · English · History

A history podcast that explores the narratives, turning points, and characters that shape conflicts, encompassing a blend of social and military history. Following on from the series on the Falklands War, best-selling military historians Patrick Bishop, Saul David, and Roger Moorhouse turn their att

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  1. 15 Jul 2026 · 37 min

    418. Battleground Big Picture: Power Struggles in Kyiv - The Story Behind the Government Reshuffle

    "If Zelenskyy decides to remove Fedorov, it’s gonna be his biggest mistake during the war." Welcome to the inaugural episode of Battleground: The Big Picture , where we cut through the fog of information to bring you the unfiltered reality of global conflicts. In this episode, we sit down with Oleksiy Sorokin , the co-founder and deputy chief editor of The Kyiv Independent . Oleksiy pulls back the curtain on the immense pressures facing the free press in Ukraine, the shifting dynamics of power within the Zelenskyy administration, and the ground-level realities of combating sophisticated…

  2. 9 Jul 2026 · 44 min

    417. "Make Your Own": Trump's Answer to the Patriot Interceptor Shortage

    A major shift in Washington policy headlines a fraught NATO summit in Ankara. This week, Patrick Bishop and Saul David break down Donald Trump’s surprising warming of relations with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, marked by a critical deal allowing Ukraine to co-produce Patriot missile interceptors to defend its cities from brutal Russian ballistic strikes. Meanwhile, JD Vance signals a massive change in American tone, acknowledging that Russian offensives are achieving almost nothing on the battlefield. The hosts also unpack the tightening noose around occupied Crimea as Ukrainian strikes trigger a…

  3. 7 Jul 2026 · 47 min

    416. The Atomised Empire: Passivity, Cash, and the Fate of Putin’s Russia

    This week, Roger Moorhouse sits down with exiled Russian journalist and Deutsche Welle commentator Konstantin Eggert for a candid look inside the Russian psyche. As Ukrainian long-range strikes push the realities of war onto Moscow’s doorstep, Eggert explains why the average Russian remains passive, how the Kremlin relies on life-changing sign-up bonuses to avoid mass mobilisation, and why the regime's true vulnerability lies in economic collapse rather than social solidarity. Highlights: The Consumer Shield: Why modern Russians—who have apartments, mortgages, and holidays to lose—actively…

  4. 1 Jul 2026 · 26 min

    414. Reflections from Lviv: The Highs, Lows, and Hard Truths of a "Forever War"

    In the final episode of their latest journey through Ukraine, the team gathers in Lviv to reflect on a deeply moving and sobering trip. The day begins with dramatic news: Hungarian journalist and team fixer, Boldi, was detained for five and a half hours of polite but intense questioning by the SBU (Ukrainian Secret Service). After attempting to investigate a Russian rocket strike on the strategic Druzhba oil pipeline near Brody. Key Reflections from the Ground: The "National Shrug": The team discusses how initial wartime shock has shifted into a grim, everyday resignation as citizens adapt…

  5. 7 Oct 2026 · 38 minNew

    443. Moscow, Washington, and the New World Order

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  6. 2 Oct 2026 · 1 hr 2 min

    442. Operation Vivaldi & The Rise of the Unmanned Forces: Inside Ukraine's Drone Revolution

    Want to support Matt's charity cycle raising money for SuperHumans? You can find his donation page here. www.justgiving.com/page/u2u In this episode of Battleground , hosts Patrick Bishop and Roger Moorhouse dive into the latest developments from the front lines in Ukraine, featuring a deep dive into the successful "Operation Vivaldi" counteroffensive in the Donbas. Later, Belgian war correspondent Arnaud De Decker joins to share insights from his exclusive, behind-the-scenes interview with Robert Brovdi (aka "Magyar"), head of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces. Key Topics Covered: Operation…

  7. 30 Sep 2026 · 41 min

    441. Can Canada Take On the US? Mark Carney, Trade Wars, and the Battle for Sovereignty

    In this episode of Battleground: The Big Picture , host Julius Strauss is joined by prominent Canadian political columnist and author Andrew Coyne to analyse the escalating trade tensions and unprecedented strain on Canada–US relations. The discussion covers the political shift in Canada following Mark Carney's election, the collapse of recent trade negotiations, the impact of US tariffs, and the broader threat posed to Canadian economic sovereignty. Julius Strauss writes the blog Back from the Front and also owns and runs Wild Bear Lodge, a bear-viewing lodge, in Canada. Check out both in…

  8. 25 Sep 2026 · 39 min

    440. Is the Tank Back? Anti-Drone Tech and Starvation in Oleshky

    In this episode of Battleground Ukraine , Saul David and Roger Moorhouse analyse the geopolitical fallout of Donald Trump signing the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, his push for Ukraine to halt refinery strikes, and President Volodymyr Zelensky’s proposal for a mutual energy ceasefire. They break down actual battlefield numbers versus Moscow’s exaggerated claims, how Australia’s Slinger counter-drone system is helping return armour to the front line, and a dire humanitarian situation in Russian-occupied Oleshky. Plus, a deep dive into the latest cyber warfare—from the…

  9. 23 Sep 2026 · 42 min

    439. The Cauldron: How the Modern Middle East Was Really Made

    In this episode of Battleground: The Big Picture , host Saul David sits down with prize-winning, internationally bestselling historian Simon Sebag Montefiore to discuss his book, The Cauldron: The Making of the Modern Middle East . Montefiore shares the intense, challenging process behind crafting a fact-based, source-grounded history of the region from 1900 to the present day—a project designed to cut through modern social media disinformation, anti-factual discourse, and toxic polarisation. He highlights the importance of moving beyond a narrow, traditional lens to recognise neglected…

  10. 18 Sep 2026 · 39 min

    438. Boiling the Frog: Russian Hybrid Warfare at NATO’s Doorstep

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