Exclusive: ‘Killing Russians is fun’ – First ever interview with a Ukrainian resistance leader

Day 1,519.

Today, in a global first, we bring you an exclusive interview with a leading member of Ukraine’s resistance movement operating inside Russian-occupied territory. We also give you updates as President Zelensky arrives in Cyprus met with confirmation that the European Union has not only formally approved the €90 billion loan for Ukraine, but also a 20th package of sanctions against Russia. We report on Ukrainian strikes against a major Russian counterintelligence unit, before examining how the US military has begun deploying Ukrainian counter-drone technology at an air base in Saudi Arabia to defend against Iran.

Contributors:

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

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

With thanks to Petro of the Ukrainian resistance, and Dr Jade McGlynn and the Centre for Statecraft and National Security at King’s College London for assisting with this interview.

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: ‘Inside the Ukrainian resistance in Russia’s occupied territories’:

https://youtu.be/nLERq02oexs

My grandfather ended Stalinism – now Putin has labelled me a ‘foreign agent’ (Iona Cleave in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/04/21/nina-khrushcheva-putin-bringing-back-stalinism-russia/

US turns to Ukrainian counter-drone tech after Iran attacks, sources say (Reuters):

https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/us-turns-ukrainian-counter-drone-tech-after-iran-attacks-sources-say-2026-04-22/

Russia could be ready for NATO conflict year after Ukraine, Dutch warn (Defense News):

https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/04/22/russia-could-be-ready-for-nato-conflict-year-after-ukraine-dutch-warn/

Public Annual Report 2025 Military Intelligence and Security Service (Dutch Intelligence):

https://www.defensie.nl/documenten/2026/04/21/openbaar-jaarverslag-2025-militaire-inlichtingen--en-veiligheidsdienst

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:

• First ever interview with a Ukrainian resistance leader • Updates as Zelensky finally gets EU’s €90bn loan

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