Ukraine: The Latest – Air Defence Defeats Largest Drone Attack & Boris Johnson Joins Live for Third Anniversary

The Telegraph | 24 February 2025

Overview: Marking Three Years Since the Invasion

This episode commemorates the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Telegraph’s team brings updates from Kyiv, battlefield developments, political shifts in Europe, especially Germany, and key diplomatic summits. Colin Freeman reports live from Kyiv, and former Prime Minister Boris Johnson joins for an in-depth interview and reflection on the UK's response. The mood, resilience, and evolving international support for Ukraine are recurrent themes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Battlefield Update: Russia’s Largest Drone Attack Repelled

• (03:25 – 19:09 | Dom Nichols)
  • Russia marked the war’s fourth year by launching its largest drone assault to date: 267 drones overnight; 138 shot down and 119 neutralized by electronic warfare.
  • Despite intense shelling and missile strikes, casualties remain low; only one drone breached air defenses in the latest attack.
  • The Ukrainian front saw minimal territorial changes. Notably, Russia captured the small village of Ulakli in Donbas, reflecting only modest progress.
  • The Black Sea Fleet remains largely neutralized; perceptions that Russia is "winning" are challenged by Ukrainian resilience.
  • Ukrainian industries—especially in drones—expand rapidly; domestic production now covers about one-third of military needs. The world’s top drone producer, Ukraine manufactured 1.5 million drones last year and aims for 4 million in 2025.
  • New international military support: Sweden, Spain, and Canada announced fresh aid packages, including air defense, personnel carriers, and F-16 jet simulators.
  • War crimes: Reports of recent execution of incapacitated Ukrainian soldiers by Russian forces, seen as deliberate terror tactics.
  • Prisoner swaps and civilian displacement: Ukraine presses for an “all-for-all” exchange of POWs; over 16,000 Ukrainian civilians remain held in Russia.
  • Maritime incidents: Russian drones targeted Ukrainian ports in Kherson and Chornomorsk; damage focused on navy infrastructure, not merchant shipping.
  • New sanctions: The UK announced its largest-ever package against Russia, targeting oligarchs, “shadow fleet” oil shipments, and military suppliers. Australia and New Zealand join with new sanctions.

Notable quote:
"Three years in and with barely any movement on the ground ... it is simply incorrect to say Russia, I think, is winning on the battlefield."
—Dom Nichols (07:10)

2. Political & Diplomatic Developments: A New Era in Europe

• (19:09 – 29:59 | Francis Dernley)
  • German election shock: Friedrich Merz (CDU), more hawkish and supportive of Ukraine than former Chancellor Scholz, is poised to take power.
    • Merz warns NATO could be "finished" and urges rapid European military independence from the US.
    • Germany expected to boost defense spending to 3% of GDP, becoming the world’s third-largest defense spender.
    • However, rapid political shifts may be delayed by coalition negotiations, and the anti-Ukraine AfD party will serve as opposition in the Bundestag.
    • Angela Merkel’s legacy on Russia and defense is seen as repudiated by voters.
  • US–Ukraine relations: Trump’s transactional approach to aid ("we’re asking for rare earth and oil, anything we can get") shocks European leaders.
  • Peace talks and security guarantees remain uncertain; Trump suggests a deal by Moscow’s Victory Day (May 9) as a priority.
  • European security: Concerns that the EU alone cannot uphold sanctions if Hungary’s Viktor Orban withdraws support.
  • UK and France: Prime Minister Keir Starmer plans to announce a minor increase in UK defense spending (2.5% by 2030), criticized as insufficient.
  • Zelenskyy's willingness to resign: The Ukrainian president says he would step down for NATO membership—a move to counter claims of authoritarianism.

Notable quote:
"It’s likely that Germany will now move rapidly to raise defence spending … but it is unlikely Berlin will be able to change direction immediately."
—Francis Dernley (22:57)

On Trump’s attitude:
"There are also concerns the US has threatened to shut off Elon Musk’s Starlink in Ukraine unless Kyiv agrees to that deal ... Kyiv’s defense minister has felt obliged to say this morning that Ukraine does have alternatives."
—Francis Dernley (26:13)

3. Mood in Kyiv: Resilience Amid War

• (29:59 – 36:09 | Colin Freeman from Kyiv)
  • The atmosphere is described as "keep calm and carry on"; citizens remain determined yet exhausted.
  • Somber reflections dominate, but there’s little open frustration with Western partners—rarely directed at foreign reporters, contrasting with other conflict zones.
  • Kyiv is transformed: from deserted streets and panic in February 2022 to a functioning city steadfast in its defense.
  • Memorials and ongoing commemorations for the war dead and missing are visible throughout the capital, reflecting a constant, ever-present sense of loss and struggle.

Memorable moment:
"I’m always struck by a comment President Zelensky made two years ago ... ‘That’s just not something I really want to think about ... We will all be exhausted, far more people will have died. I really don’t want to think about it.’ And yet here we are, not just two years in, but three years in ..."
—Colin Freeman (31:46)

4. Reflections from Downing Street: Boris Johnson’s Speechwriter

• (36:09 – 46:20 | David Blair at Number 10, Feb 24, 2022)
  • David Blair narrates the urgency and emotional weight of drafting Prime Minister Johnson’s address on day one of the invasion.
  • Insight into key speech lines:
    • "Now we see him for what he is, a blood stained aggressor who believes in imperial conquest." —a line Blair feared might be edited, but which was retained and delivered.
    • "This hideous and barbaric venture of Vladimir Putin must end in failure."
    • "Slava Ukraini"—included as a mark of solidarity, which later became common among British politicians.
  • UK support: Britain was the first major country to openly supply weapons, notably the NLAW anti-tank missile, used with immediate effect.
  • The government’s internal expectation was that Kyiv would fall, which makes Ukraine’s sustained defense all the more remarkable.

Notable quote:
"We could speak with credibility because ... Britain had sent 2,000 NLAW anti-tank missiles ... we were the first to do it openly and overtly at the outset of this crisis."
—David Blair (42:27)

5. Exclusive Interview: Boris Johnson Speaks from Kyiv

• (49:29 – 64:49 | Interview by Colin Freeman)
  • Johnson describes the mood in Kyiv as “determined” and “phlegmatic,” highlighting Ukraine’s resilience.
  • Candid on U.S. politics: He finds some recent statements from Washington "the most egregious piece of victim blaming I've ever seen," calling claims that Ukraine started the war “nauseating” and “pure Kremlin propaganda.”
  • On Trump: Johnson still hopes for a positive outcome, emphasizing that peace must not be “on Putin’s terms.” He defends the proposed U.S.–Ukraine “minerals agreement” as conferring real economic and security stakes for the U.S., making it “a good deal for Ukraine,” contingent on Ukrainian sovereignty.
  • Urges Britain and France—the two 1994 Budapest signatories—to step up, advocating for a European “peace enforcement” mission (not under NATO), higher UK defense spending (3% of GDP), and more assertiveness in unfreezing Russian assets for Ukraine’s benefit.
  • On nuclear security: Johnson opposes the idea of an independent European nuclear button; calls Ukraine’s moral case for nukes “honest and reasonable,” but urges transparent, legal international processes.
  • Remains optimistic: "It's very difficult to see how Donald Trump can allow himself to be beaten by Vladimir Putin, and the logic of that position entails continuing support for freedom and democracy in Ukraine."
  • Johnson’s personal connection: Shares a (lighthearted) anecdote about his distant Ukrainian ancestry.

Notable Quotes:

• "To say that Ukraine started the war is nauseating. It's pure Kremlin propaganda ... It's absolute bullshit, and it's a disgrace ..."
  —Boris Johnson (52:08)
• "The only political pressure that we were under was to do more. Whatever help we offered to Ukraine ... the only question we would be asked is, why aren't you doing more?"
  —David Blair (45:38)
• "It's not peace on Putin's terms. Because, you know, you can't sell out the Ukrainians and allow someone who started the war to win it."
  —Boris Johnson (51:12)

6. Listener Engagement & Final Thoughts

• (64:55 - 69:26 | Wrap-Up)
  • The presenters reflect on the extraordinary three-year journey of Ukraine’s defense and the powerful symbolic meaning of the anniversary.
  • They highlight the launch of an AI-powered Ukrainian and Russian language version of the podcast, aiming to expand access across the region.
  • Personal notes: Observations on the importance of cross-party UK unity for Ukraine, the historic significance of Estonia’s independence (coinciding with the episode’s date), and a sense of bittersweet pride in expanding the podcast's reach.

Memorable closing sentiment:
"I remember that day so vividly ... it's a very surreal day. We're, of course, really proud to bring you these translated versions of the podcast that retains our voices ... We are still with you in Ukrainian. And we are."
—Francis Dernley (67:07)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On adaptation and resilience:
  "It's grim, it's tough, we're tired, but we keep going. And I don't really sense any difference in the mood music here."
  —Colin Freeman (30:28)

• On UK government response and unity:
  "The only political pressure ... was to do more. Whatever help we offered ... the only question would be, why aren't you doing more?"
  —David Blair (45:38)

• On victim-blaming narratives:
  "It's the most egregious piece of victim blaming I've ever seen ... To say that Ukraine started the war is nauseating. It's pure Kremlin propaganda ... it's a disgrace ..."
  —Boris Johnson (52:08)

• On the future of Western support:
  "I think it's very, very difficult to see how Donald Trump can allow himself to be beaten by Vladimir Putin, and the logic of that position entails continuing support for freedom and democracy in Ukraine."
  —Boris Johnson (59:51)

Timestamps of Important Segments

• 03:25 – Dom Nichols: Battlefield and air defense updates
• 19:17 – Francis Dernley: German elections & European diplomacy
• 29:59 – Colin Freeman: Mood and resilience in Kyiv
• 36:09 – David Blair: Behind-the-scenes in Downing Street on Feb 24, 2022
• 46:56 – Launch of Ukrainian and Russian language versions of the podcast
• 49:29 – Boris Johnson exclusive interview with Colin Freeman
• 64:55 – Closing reflections and final thoughts

Structure & Tone

• The presenters balance detailed, factual reporting with a conversational, at times deeply personal, tone.
• Military briefings are thorough but accessible; political analysis is sharp, often with historical context.
• Interviews with Johnson and Blair are candid, direct, and revealing of the personalities involved at critical moments.
• The spirit throughout is one of solidarity, realism about ongoing challenges, and pride in Ukraine’s endurance.

This episode offers an essential snapshot of Ukraine’s struggle at a crucial historical milestone, placing frontline updates in the context of shifting Western politics and the ever-hardening resolve of a society under siege.