Battleground

• 322. Is the Net Closing in for Ukraine in Donetsk?

  This week on Battleground Ukraine, hosts Saul David and Roger Moorhouse are joined by intrepid Belgian war reporter and friend of the podcast Arnaud de Decker, who recently toured the Donbas. In this crucial and alarming dispatch, Arnaud provides a firsthand look at the realities in Donetsk, detailing how Russian forces are steadily advancing and closing in on the key Ukrainian towns of Slovyansk and Kramatorsk. Before this essential interview, the hosts dissect the political and military headlines, including the shocking rhetoric from former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who all but admitted Russia's role in drone sightings across Europe. They'll also be examining the difference between the opposing forces' long-range strikes—including Ukraine's successful hits on vital Russian oil infrastructure (like the Feodosia oil terminal), possibly using the new Flamingo missile, and an intelligence report on up to 5,000 Cuban fighters joining the Russian ranks. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson X (Twitter): @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• 331. Wolfpack: Episode II - The Depths of Despair

  In late 1942, German U-boats were sinking Allied merchant ships faster than they could be replaced, pushing Britain to the brink of starvation in the 'Black Pit' of the mid-Atlantic. In this episode Roger Moorhouse is joined by Saul David as he dives into the most critical period of the Battle of the Atlantic, from the peak losses of March 1943 to the stunning Allied victory in 'Black May.' They explore the high-stakes technological race—including the deployment of long-range aircraft, advanced radar, sonar, and breaking the Enigma code—that transformed the Allies from prey to predator and secured the lifeline that made the liberation of Europe possible. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson X (Twitter): @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• 330. Kyiv Under Fire: Trump the 'Spurned Lover' and the Zaporizhzhia Ticking Timebomb

  Roger Moorhouse and Saul David analyze a week of intense combat and high-stakes diplomacy. Russia launched a heavy aerial assault on Ukrainian cities, while in the West, they discuss reports that Trump is a "spurned lover," frustrated by Putin's refusal to strike a peace deal. The hosts also examine the critical power failure at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant and the safety risk it poses. Finally, they cover the new European plan for a continent-wide "drone wall" and the controversial debate over holding a wartime election in Ukraine. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson X (Twitter): @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• 329. Wolfpack: Episode I - The Rise of the Wolfpack (1939–1941)

  Welcome to the first episode of our new Wolfpack series with Saul David and Roger Moorhouse diving into the intriguing origins and early, devastating success of Nazi Germany’s U-boat campaign in the Atlantic. This foundational episode unpacks how naval limitations imposed by the Treaty of Versailles failed to stop German rearmament and secretly fostered the development of submarine warfare doctrine. They also explore Admiral Karl Dönitz's desperate strategic vision—the famed "wolfpack" tactics—and how a small fleet initially achieved spectacular results. From the shocking sinking of the civilian liner SS Athenia immediately after the declaration of war, to the "First Happy Time," a period where U-boat crews operated with lethal impunity, nearly crippling Britain's supply lines and setting the stage for the true Battle of the Atlantic. If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - [email protected] Producer: James Hodgson X (Twitter): @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• 328. The New Red Line: When Will NATO Shoot Down a Russian Jet?

  This week on Battleground, Saul David and Roger Moorhouse dissect a week of Russian provocation and a dramatic political shift from the US President. Is Putin's aggressive brinkmanship about to backfire? After three MiG-31 jets violated Estonian airspace and a major drone incursion grounded flights at Copenhagen Airport, NATO allies are drawing a line in the sand. The hosts break down the fallout from Estonia invoking Article 4, the emergency UN Security Council session, and the stark pledge from the Polish foreign minister to shoot down future invaders of NATO skies. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump executes a stunning U-turn, branding Russia a 'paper tiger' and urging Ukraine to reclaim all its lost territory—a complete reversal of his previous calls for territorial concession. Also in this episode: Kremlin Nepotism: We examine reports that an increasingly paranoid Putin has appointed his cousin, Anna Tsivileva, as a deputy defence minister to root out corruption and disloyalty in the defence ministry. Nuclear Sabre-Rattling: Putin attempts to "throw Trump a bone" with a conditional offer to adhere to the New START treaty for one year following its 2026 expiry. Listeners' Questions: We tackle your queries on: the West's slow adoption of drone warfare lessons; the long-term demographic fallout of the war on both Russia and Ukraine: and more. Join us as we analyse the week's most dangerous escalations and what they mean for the future of the conflict. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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