Ukraine Strikes Moscow as Putin Retaliates

Summary

The MeidasTouch Podcast – Episode Summary

Episode Title: Ukraine Strikes Moscow as Putin Retaliates
Date: July 19, 2026
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas (MeidasTouch Network)
Main Theme:
This episode takes listeners on a gripping ride through the latest escalation in the Russia-Ukraine war, focusing on Ukraine’s bold drone strikes deep into Russian territory—including Moscow—and Russia’s massive retaliatory missile barrage on Kyiv. The Meiselas brothers break down the strategic and humanitarian implications, highlight on-the-ground footage and images, and weave in Ukrainian political developments, all while maintaining their signature brotherly banter and unabashed pro-democracy lens.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Ukrainian Drone Strikes Hit Moscow [01:15–05:30]

• Description: The hosts open with detailed reporting and live footage of Ukrainian drone swarms attacking the Wild Berries logistical center in Moscow, likened to “their Amazon.” Ukraine justifies the strike by claiming the facility supports the Russian military.

• Insight: Footage shows large plumes of smoke and fire, described as a “Mordor”-like scene by the hosts.

  • Quote:
    “This is the moment Ukrainian drones hit the Wild Berry Logistical center in Moscow… black smoke overhead. It's a Mordor.” (Host C, 02:10)

• Tactical Update: Ukrainian drone operations have cleared most Russian ships from the Azov Sea, signaling a major threat to Russian logistics and a precedent for future attacks in the Black Sea.

  • Quote:
    “In less than two weeks, Ukraine’s operations in the Azov Sea successfully cleared it of most Russian ships.” (Host C, 04:30)

Timestamps

• 01:15 — Introduction to drone attack on Moscow
• 02:10 — On-site video and "Mordor" description
• 04:30 — Ukrainian naval drone campaign details

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2. Russia’s Retaliatory Barrage on Kyiv [05:30–09:15]

• Description: In response, Russia launches its largest missile strike of the war on Kyiv, with over 40 Iskander ballistic missiles targeting the city and causing extensive destruction.

• Details: Images and video clips show devastation in the Lukyanivka district and metro lobbies, as well as other areas like Zaporizhia.

  • Quote:
    “This is the largest number of ballistic missiles the entire war rained down on Kyiv... more scenes from Kyiv. You can see where some of the strikes were taking place.” (Host C, 06:50)

• Humanitarian Angle: Residents are told to seal their windows against toxic smoke and debris, and the hosts highlight citizens and anti-aircraft teams fighting to repel drones and missiles.

  • Notable Moment: Vertical launch of MANPADS by Ukrainians “standing up there trying to stop these Russian shaheds.” (Host C, 08:30)

Timestamps

• 06:15 — Images of Kyiv post-strike
• 07:10 — Details on metro lobby destruction
• 08:30 — Ukrainian anti-aircraft action highlighted

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3. Political Upheaval in Ukraine: Firing of Defense Leader [10:51–13:36]

• Description: Uproar after President Zelenskyy fires 35-year-old defense minister Mikhailo Fedorov, who revolutionized Ukraine’s drone warfare and tech infrastructure.

  • Protests: Massive demonstrations erupt in Kyiv, marking the biggest protest movement since the war began.
  • Quote:
    “Massive protests in Ukraine against Zelensky’s firing against Syrsky. The people love Fedorov as well.” (Host C, 11:30)

• Fedorov’s Legacy:

  • Fedorov releases a video and statement outlining technological achievements: transforming Ukraine into a “defense powerhouse,” “91% Shaheed interception rate,” and soldiers’ incentive systems.
    • Quote from Fedorov’s Statement:
      “We transformed Ukraine into a global tech leader and a defense powerhouse … achieved logistical lockdown for the Occupiers, reached a 91% Shaheed interception rate, and launched the unique E Point system to incentivize our troops.” (Mikhailo Fedorov statement, 12:30)

• Zelensky’s Response: Zelensky acknowledges the public outcry, promises “consultation,” and expresses gratitude for those defending Ukraine's freedom.

  • Quote:
    “I hear what people are saying today. I spoke at length with Mikhailo Fedorov. I also spoke with Oleksandr Syrsky today. Decisions regarding the army will be worked out.” (Host C quoting Zelensky, 13:36)

Timestamps

• 10:51 — Fedorov’s dismissal and public fallout
• 11:30 — Scenes from day 3 of the Kyiv protests
• 12:30 — Fedorov’s video statement and key achievements
• 13:36 — Zelensky’s statement on the crisis

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4. Analysis & Broader Context [13:36–End]

• Situation Assessment:
  • The brothers underscore that “all hell is breaking loose,” observing the intensification on both the battlefield and within Ukraine’s political leadership.
• International Ramifications:
  • Brief mention of Donald Trump’s claim he “could resolve the war in 24 hours”—quickly dismissed by the hosts, blaming Trump-era policies for current global instability.
    • Quote:
      “It was Donald Trump who said he’d resolve the war in Ukraine in 24 hours… he’s really been the cause that made things much, much, much worse at this point.” (Host C, 14:30)

Timestamps

• 13:36 — Zelensky’s public message
• 14:30 — Trump/U.S. discourse and analysis

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Memorable Quotes

• “It’s a Mordor.” (Host C, 02:10)
• “In less than two weeks, Ukraine’s operations in the Azov Sea successfully cleared it of most Russian ships.” (Host C, 04:30)
• “Massive protests in Ukraine against Zelensky’s firing … The people love Fedorov.” (Host C, 11:30)
• Statement by Mikhailo Fedorov:
  “We transformed Ukraine into a global tech leader and a defense powerhouse beyond digital ideas. … We achieved logistical lockdown for the Occupiers, reached a 91% Shaheed interception rate, and launched the unique E Point system to incentivize our troops on the front lines.” (12:30)
• Zelensky’s Response:
  “Of course I hear what people are saying today. I spoke at length with Mikhailo Fedorov. … Decisions regarding the army will be worked out.” (13:36)
• “It was Donald Trump who said he’d resolve the war … really been the cause that made things much, much, much worse at this point.” (Host C, 14:30)

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Conclusion

This action-packed episode delivers a fast-paced yet thorough exploration of the Ukraine-Russia conflict’s new escalation, highlighting the audacity and effectiveness of Ukraine’s drone campaign, the profound impact of Russia’s counterstrikes, and the riptide of political turmoil within Ukraine’s leadership. The brothers combine sobering fact, analysis, and their trademark moral clarity, making this essential listening (or reading) for anyone following the war and its implications for democracy.

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Note: All timestamps reference MM:SS from the start of the main content, after ads.

Transcript

[A]

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[B]

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[C]

all hell is breaking loose as Zelensky's drones continue to swarm in Russia. Russia is responding, launching its biggest ballistic missile strike yet on Kiev. Over 40 ballistic missiles in the past 24 hours. I want to show you what's going down. We've getting new footage of the drone swarms that hit the Wild Berry facility in Moscow. It's like the biggest logistical center in Moscow. Wild Berries like their Amazon and Ukraine says that look that's being used to supply the Russian army in the war. Let me show you the footage that we're now seeing. This is the moment Ukrainian drones hit the Wild Berry Logistical center in Moscow. Here, let's play A. Now let me show you another view of some of these drone strikes. Let me show you B. All right, the smoke clouds coming up from this facility and surrounding Moscow. Massive. Let me just show you this video of what the surrounding region in Moscow looked like with the black smoke overhead. It's a Mordor. Here, play this clip. Show you this photo right here of what the Moscow area facility, this Wild Berries facility looked like. Right here. Show you an overhead view from an airplane of what it looked like looking down here. Play this clip. Now. As special Kerson Cat explains, a helicopter tried to extinguish the massive Wild Berries warehouse fire in the electrostall Moscow region. Not really able to put out that fire. Here's a photo so you can just see the scale of that helicopter compared to the smoke right here. My friend Jay in Keev, who's got a great YouTube channel, elves as chaos continues near Moscow. Play this clip. Now. Jane Keev also points out that in less than two weeks, Ukraine's operations in the Azov Sea successfully cleared it of most Russian ships. And so remember, Zelensky announced that he had this plan that he was going to be implementing. And what the plan was essentially is his drone swarms in Azov Sea. Once you clear the Azov Sea of their tankers, then move on to the Black Sea. And that's what we're seeing these Ukrainian drone swarms do. If you compare, July 6th to July 18th showed 132 ships. Now there's only 29 ships. So a drop in about 78% of ships. And the strikes continue. And basically ain't no ships traveling in Azov right now. And all of the tankers in the Black Sea essentially know that they're sitting ducks, if you will. I'll show you the B roll right here. The latest drop by the Ukrainian Special Unmanned Special Forces team showing the damage the drone is doing through. 13 additional Shadow fleet vessels were destroyed in the Black and azov seas on July 18. Eight cargo ships, one tanker, one LNG carrier, one tugboat and two floating cranes. You can see right there, B roll, what that looks like right there. Moving to Kyiv for a moment. And Kyiv, Zapressia. Other areas in Ukraine hit hard as well, though by Russia at least. Iskander ballistic missiles hit Kyiv. This is the largest number of ballistic missiles the entire war rained down on Kyiv. Here are some of the images. You can look right here at the Lukyanivka district in Kyiv. You can see what that looked like last night. Take a look at just some of these photos of Kyiv, right? I showed you the Moscow region, right, The Wild Berries facility. This is what it looks like in Kyiv. And you see the dark black smoke there. You know, look right there. Major strikes in Kyiv as well. Look at this. More scenes from Kyiv. You can see where some of the strikes were taking place there. Share with you and Max 26 does a great job. Really love his work. Part of the Luka Niviska metro lobby was demolished with this constant barrage of Ballistic shelling on Kyiv. Let me show you what was going on in that metro lobby. You can see for yourself here. Let's play it. So right here's a photo of the Russian attacks on Zapricia. Warehouses, food plants, logistical centers also being targeted there. Take a look at some of the photos. This is Kiev. More photos of Kiev. You could see some of the damage being done, this massive fire in Kiev. Residents being told, close their windows there as well. Let me share with you some of the efforts by some of the Ukrainians who are like, literally, they're. They're standing up there with some to try to stop some of these Russian shaheds. They're standing like vertical with these man pads. Let me show you one such image from the past 24 hours. Let's play it. I'll show you over here. The 12 10th Anti Aircraft Missile Division shooting down a Russian shahid here as it was heading deep into Ukrainian territory. Let me share that for you. We've got footage as well from inside that Wild Berries facility. This is footage from the warehouse. You could see what was going down. I showed you at the beginning when you had those Ukrainian drone strikes. But take a look at what you'll see here. Let's play it.

[B]

Good,

[C]

Then show you over here what it looked like yesterday morning in the Moscow suburbs. Let's play it. Now. This is some newly published video right here from people on the seaport of Novorisk in Russia. And you can see trying to stop the Ukrainian drone swarms there. You could see for yourself. Let's play it.

[B]

Now.

[C]

I should also note that there has been continuing protests after Zelensky fired. The former defense minister, very popular guy, 35 years old, Mikhailo Fedorov was fired. And this guy was the guy who revolutionized the kind of drone force, the unmanned special forces. And Zelenskyy apparently was pressured out by the commander in chief of the Ukrainian forces, Oleksandr Syritsky, to fire Fedorov. And that triggered massive protests in Ukraine against Zelensky's firing against Sirovsky. The people love Fedorov as well. And I'll show you. Fedorov dropped a video also. Right. He was fired to talk about the work that they did. But let me just share with you some of the scenes right here of. Of what it looked like in Ukraine as these protests continue. Let's just share this footage with you right here. Let's play. That was the footage from the third day of protests in Kyiv right there. So you can see for yourself now. Fedorov published the following statement. We transformed Ukraine into a global tech leader and a defense powerhouse beyond digital ideas. Dia City and 5G. We revolutionized warfare through the army of drones and the Brave One UA cluster. We achieved logistical lockdown for the Occupiers, reached a 91% Shaheed interception rate and launched the unique E Point system to incentivize our troops on the front lines. Seven years of service from Govtech to Defense Tech. Thank you for your trust. We don't need to play the whole video, guys. Just I want to show a little bit so our viewers can see what Fedorov put out. Let's play it.

[A]

Now.

[C]

This is actually interesting statement that Ukrainian President Zelensky published recognizing that there were these mass protests. This is the biggest protest really since he's been in office. Yesterday and today have been filled with consultation. Of course I hear what people are saying today. I spoke at length with Mikhailo Fedorov. I also spoke with Oleksandr Syrsky today. Decisions regarding the army will be worked out. Thank you to everyone who cares about Ukraine. Thank you to everyone defending our positions on the front line and to those doing their best to bring the war back home to Russia where it came from. Glory to Ukraine is what Zelensky says. We'll keep you posted every step of the way. I want to update you there, but I mean you really have hell breaking loose in the war with Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Of course I'm doing videos and showing you what's going on in Iran and in the Arab nations in the Middle east right now. And it was Donald Trump who said he'd resolve the war in Ukraine in 24 hours. He'd get into no more never ending wars, make things more affordable and of course more he's really been the cause that made things much, much, much worse at this point. Tell me what you think in the comments. Hit subscribe. Let's get to 7 million subscribers. Thank you for watching everybody. Breaking news right now. My brothers and I wrote a book. It's called WTF America? And well, doesn't that just say at all. It comes out officially this October, but you can pre order your copy today. Just scan the QR code or click the link in the description below. Sam.