Ukraine: The Latest — Podcast Summary

Episode: Exclusive: Russian commanders charging up to $30,000 to spare soldiers from the frontlines in Ukraine & ‘You’re not evil’: Trump unveils Board of Peace
Date: February 20, 2026
Hosts/Reporters: Francis Durnley (Host), Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor, Defence), Rosina Sabor (National Security Editor)
Special Guest: Svetlana Tikhanovskaya (Exiled Belarusian opposition leader)

Main Theme Overview

In this episode, the Telegraph team dissects fresh revelations of systemic corruption in Russia’s military—namely, commanders charging extortionate bribes to shield soldiers from frontline combat. The discussion also covers Donald Trump’s launch of the “Board of Peace,” including his claims about Middle East peace and fundraising, and concludes with a deep-dive interview on Belarusian exile, resistance, and regional security with Svetlana Tikhanovskaya.

Military Updates and Russian Corruption on the Front (03:56–15:11)

Situation at the Front

• Kupiansk (Northeast Ukraine):
  • Ukrainian forces are completing mop-up operations in the city center.
  • Russian attacks from north, east, and southeast remain unsuccessful.
  • Warm weather and a Starlink blackout have reduced Russian drone attacks and led to flooding, making the Oskil river impassable.
• Lyman (Donbas):
  • The city is besieged but not conquered by Russia—fighting continues, with Russia targeting surrounding villages likely to disrupt Ukrainian reinforcements.
• Zaporizhzhia and Kherson (Occupied South):
  • Ukrainian strikes targeted Russian command posts, logistics, and concentrations of troops.
  • Strikes reported on Tendra Island, southeast of Odesa, and in Crimea.

Corruption in the Russian Army

• Key Exposé:
  • Commanders are charging soldiers up to £30,000 (~$38,000) to avoid assignments in the most dangerous sectors.
• Evidence:
  • Video from Russian soldier Denis Koliznikov (verified by Ukraine’s Security and Cooperation Center) details extortion, weapons trafficking, and threats of “resetting” (sending refusers to near-certain death).
  • Quote (Koliznikov, 09:08):

    "More than half of our unit were reset by the commanders. Everyone has to pay the commanders. If someone doesn't pay, they're considered unnecessary, sent to the front and reset. I personally saw several people killed."

• Systemic Corruption:
  • Troops are also forced to repurchase stolen equipment from their own commanders and surrender portions of their pay.
  • Expert Context (Katerina Stepanenko, ISW):

    "Corruption and hazing will likely only continue to intensify...as the Kremlin continues to deprioritize efforts to professionalize the Russian military." (11:24)

• Recruitment of Foreigners:
  • BBC reports 1,000 Kenyans have been recruited to Russian forces, allegedly via corrupt networks in both countries. At least one Kenyan killed, several injured.

NATO and International Support Updates

• South Korea & NATO:
  • Ongoing discussions for South Korea to possibly join NATO’s “PEARL” military support initiative (currently focused on allowing affected countries to buy US weapons rather than receive direct aid).
• LEAP Initiative:
  • UK and EU allies (Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Poland) announce “Low Cost Effectors and Autonomous Platforms” (LEAP) to develop budget-friendly air defense drones and missiles, first deliveries expected by end of 2026.
  • Notable exchange:
    • Rosina: "Take that seriously. Sorry, carry on, leap." (14:12)
    • Dom: dryly "Advanced low-cost... sounds a bit like half-price shark cages." (14:14)

Trump’s “Board of Peace” Meeting (15:27–21:38)

Overview of the Event

• Launch of Trump’s “Board of Peace” (originally conceived for Israel-Gaza, now broadly pitched as a global initiative).
• Attendees primarily authoritarian regimes; most European democracies absent, except Hungary’s Viktor Orban.
• Trump claims $6.5 billion pledged, with "an additional $7 billion for Gaza relief" from Gulf states.

Notable Quotes and Moments

• Trump on attendees:

  "They weren’t evil, which is always a good way to start a good speech." (16:42)
  "His Majesty the King of Bahrain. He's so rich, he can sit there. He can sit wherever the hell he wants. He might take a piece of this building." (17:47)

• On the Board's purpose:
  "The building was built for peace. Nobody knew what to name it. And then Marco [Rubio] named it after me. I had nothing to do with it, I swear." (17:50)
• Trump, semi-seriously:

  "I had a good relationship with the UN other than my last speech where they didn’t turn on my teleprompter..." (18:15)

• Disputes and Absences:
  • Belarusian government reps, invited, were denied US visas.
  • Rosina Sabor: "They weren’t too chuffed about that..." (19:35)
• Closing spectacle:
  • Trump ends the summit by banging a golden gavel as "YMCA" plays in the background. (19:59)
• Satirical commentary:
  • Dominic: "The satirists don't love him because he's putting them out of a job." (19:00)

Analysis/Concerns

• Transparency and direction:
  Dominic: “So he gets to decide where the money goes?...In practice, isn’t it? I mean, what’s to stop him just deciding?” (20:44)
• Trump wants to be “perennial president” of the Board, raising questions about conflicts with future US presidents.

Political and Regional Security Updates (21:38–24:43)

• US Extends Russia Sanctions:
  Trump administration renews national emergency and sanctions over Russia's occupation of Crimea/Ukraine invasion.
• NATO-Ukraine Tensions:
  Politico reports US is pressing allies to avoid inviting Ukraine to high-level NATO meetings at the forthcoming Ankara summit.
  Rosina: “Is this demanded by the Russians as part of the ongoing peace talks…or a genuine attempt to really harm Ukraine and Europe's interests?” (21:38)
• Hungary/Slovakia-Ukraine Diesel Dispute:
  Both countries halt diesel exports to Ukraine, citing disruptions in Russian oil transit; seen as electorally useful for Orban’s Hungarian government.
• Russian Cloak-and-Dagger in Moldova:
  Moldovan and Ukrainian police launch a probe into a suspected Russian-run assassination plot targeting Ukrainian public figures.

Deep-Dive: Interview with Belarus’s Svetlana Tikhanovskaya (26:19–38:47)

Life in Exile & Resistance (26:41–28:55)

• "My life is very dynamic...You have to be very active on promoting your cause, building alternative institutions of power in exile, keeping attention on Belarus." (27:05–27:25)
• Ongoing personal struggle—her husband, jailed for over two years, recently released. Thousands of political prisoners remain.
• Sense of solidarity:
  "This unity of people really doesn't let me just to stop." (29:40)

Ties to Ukraine’s Future (30:33–33:57)

• Belarus’s fate is tightly bound to Ukraine’s victory or defeat:

  "If democratic world will not help Ukrainians enough for them to win this war, it will embolden Putin...If Ukraine will not win this war, we can forget about changes in Belarus for decades." (33:17)

• Belarus now a staging ground for Russian militarization, including nuclear deployments—direct security threat to region and Europe.

On Trump Administration & the Role of First Lady (35:40–38:47)

• Tikhanovskaya credits Trump admin (esp. John Cole) in humanitarian releases of Belarusian political prisoners, noting that liberation often means forced exile.
• Highlights that humanitarian work must remain distinct from political legitimization of the Lukashenko regime.
• Suggests first ladies, including Melania Trump (Eastern European herself), can play influential roles in advocacy—especially in addressing the abduction of Ukrainian children.

Final Thoughts: Ukrainian Remembrance and Takeaways (38:47–39:46)

• Heavenly Hundred Remembrance:
  Today marks commemoration of those killed in the 2013–14 Ukrainian Maidan Revolution of Dignity.
  • Foreign Ministry statement:

    "The Heavenly Hundred...were people of different ages and professions united by...commitment to protect dignity and the people's right to determine their own future." (39:32)

• Looking Ahead:
  Next week marks the invasion’s fourth anniversary—promised special guests and contributions on the podcast’s new video format.

Notable Quotes

• On Russian Army Corruption
  “If someone doesn’t pay, they’re considered unnecessary, sent to the front and reset. I personally saw several people killed.”
  — Denis Koliznikov (09:08)

• On Belarusian Resolve
  "This unity of people really doesn't let me just to stop."
  — Svetlana Tikhanovskaya (29:40)

• On Ukraine Losing the War
  "If Ukraine will not win this war, we can forget about changes in Belarus for decades."
  — Tikhanovskaya (33:17)

• Trump at the Board of Peace
  “They weren’t evil, which is always a good way to start a good speech." (16:42)

• Satire on Trump
  "The satirists don’t love him because he’s putting them out of a job."
  — Dominic Nicholls (19:00)

Key Timestamps

• Military & Corruption Overview — 03:56–15:11
• Board of Peace Analysis — 15:27–21:38
• Political Updates (US, NATO, Hungary, Moldova) — 21:38–24:43
• Belarus Interview: Svetlana Tikhanovskaya — 26:19–38:47
• Closing Thoughts & Remembrance — 38:47–39:46

Tone and Language

• Straight-talking, dry wit: Especially from Dominic Nicholls, who balances hard reporting with skeptical humor (e.g., comparing low-cost air defense to "half-price shark cages").
• Earnest reflection: In the Tikhanovskaya interview—somber, resilient, hopeful.
• Satirical edge: When covering Trump, both hosts blend bemusement and underlying concern.
• Overall: Informed, analytical, with flashes of irreverence.

For Listeners

This episode provides a clear, punchy window into both the granular realities of the frontline and the geopolitical circus orbiting Ukraine—from corruption scandals to global peace posturing to the personal courage of those resisting autocracy. Essential listening for an up-to-date grasp of the war and the actors shaping its next chapters.