Putin breaks silence over Moscow strikes humiliation & fuel shortages grip Russia

Day 1,580.

Today, after days of memes and mounting panic across Russia, Vladimir Putin finally breaks his silence on last week’s dramatic strikes on Moscow – insisting they are not a sign of vulnerability, but proof of Russian strength on the battlefield. Dom reports on the remarkable own goal from Russia’s defence ministry, which appears to have done Zelensky’s press office a favour by detailing just how many targets Ukrainian forces have hit in the last 24 hours. We also examine growing frustration in Moscow as the Kremlin accuses the United States of failing to honour the Trump–Putin “understandings” that were supposed to shape the next phase of diplomacy. And later, we get an update from one of the leading campaigners pushing to unlock billions of dollars in frozen Russian assets for Ukraine’s defence and reconstruction.

Contributors:

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

James Kilner (Russia Analyst). @Jkjourno on X.

Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.

With thanks to Hugo Dixon of 'The Russian Transfer'.

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Chris January

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:

Reported Gasoline Shortages in Russian Federal Subjects and Occupied Ukrainian Territories as of June 23, 2026 (Institute for the Study of War):

https://understandingwar.org/map/reported-gasoline-shortages-in-russian-federal-subjects-and-occupied-ukrainian-territories-as-of-june-23-2026/

Hugo Dixon’s initiative ‘The Russian Transfer’: moving Moscow’s account from Belgium:

https://www.therussiantransfer.com/

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Putin breaks silence over Moscow strikes humiliation • Fuel shortages grip Russia

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