Ukraine: The Latest

Episode: Ukraine ravage Russian aircraft and radar stations in occupied Crimea & Denmark reports ‘hybrid attack’ on major airport

Date: September 25, 2025
Host: The Telegraph (Dom Nicholls, Francis Darnley)
Guests: Dr. Jade McGlynn (King’s College London)

Episode Overview

This episode provides comprehensive updates on significant military and political developments in the ongoing Russia–Ukraine war. The discussion focuses on Ukraine’s latest attacks on Russian military assets in Crimea, a suspected “hybrid attack” on Danish airports, ramifications of these incidents for Russia’s logistical capabilities, and President Zelenskyy’s speech at the United Nations. Dr. Jade McGlynn offers a detailed segment on resistance activity and civilian suffering within Russia-occupied Ukrainian territories.

Main Topics and Key Insights

1. Suspected Hybrid Drone Attacks in Denmark

[00:11–05:00]

• On Wednesday night, drones flew over multiple Danish airports, temporarily shutting down Aalborg Airport—a joint military/civil base—and affecting Denmark’s armed forces.
• Denmark’s Defence Minister, Troels Lund Poulsen:

  “There can be no doubt that everything points to this being the work of a professional actor when we are talking about such a systemic operation in so many locations at virtually the same time. This is what I would define as a hybrid attack using different types of drones.” (01:31)

• Drones likely launched locally, not from long distances; no direct evidence of Russian involvement yet, but suspicion is high.
• Open source trackers observed a Finnish Coast Guard helicopter circling a Russian-flagged ship, "Astral One," in Danish waters, which had a “very odd track” before returning to Helsinki.

  “It had a very, very odd track. It was very uneconomical with its use of fuel, put it that way. It was stooging around all over the place.” (03:14)

• Turkey deployed an E7 Peace Eagle to Lithuania in response to growing concern over drone incursions into European airspace.

2. Ukrainian Strikes Deep into Russian Logistics and Infrastructure

[05:00–09:08]

• Ukraine’s military intelligence struck Russian oil terminals at Tuapse and Novorossiysk, both major Black Sea export nodes (2 million barrels/day capacity).

  “You will find very dramatic footage online from the attack. You see a maritime drone, Ukrainian drone, inside the port infrastructure...veering to one side and exploding against one of the oil loading piers.” (06:33)

• A Ukrainian drone also hit a chemical plant in Russia's Krasnodar Krai, sparking a fire.
• Russian Defence Ministry claims to have intercepted 55 drones in various regions, but significant damage and casualties were reported.
• Disruption to fuel supplies is escalating, with up to 50% of gas stations in occupied Crimea stopped selling gasoline, per Russian pro-government media. Fuel shortages allegedly reaching Moscow and St. Petersburg.

3. Ukrainian Attacks on Russian Aircraft and Radar Stations in Crimea

[09:08–10:41]

• Ukraine’s military intelligence claimed destruction of two Russian An-26 transport aircraft and two radar stations in a recent drone attack in Crimea. Video evidence confirms at least one aircraft and one radar destroyed.

  “All points to a lack of Russian air defense in and around Crimea. The question…can Ukraine turn that local, perhaps very local, limited air superiority to their advantage?” (10:10)

• Attacks follow similar hits on helicopters, amphibious aircraft, and radar stations in recent days.
• Ukraine shot down a Russian Su-34 fighter jet attacking Zaporizhzhia.

4. Russian Strikes Inside Ukraine | Power & Civilian Disruption

[10:41–12:15]

• Russia launched extensive drone and missile attacks across Ukraine, knocking out power in Kirovohrad region, damaging infrastructure in Vinnytsia and Chernihiv, and killing a civilian near Kharkiv.
• Ongoing power and water outages, train delays, and casualties across affected regions.
• Russian video claims further strikes on Ukrainian training grounds, raising questions about recurring vulnerabilities.
• Russia fired 176 drones overnight; 26 reportedly penetrated Ukrainian air defenses.

5. International Diplomatic Response & Defense Industry Impacts

[12:15–12:42]

• European defense stocks surged (£8 billion value gained) after US President Trump’s pro-Ukraine comments at the UN.

  "Shares in top weapon makers...bolstered by the US President's comments offering potentially greater American support for Kyiv's war effort." (11:47)

• The Wall Street Journal claims Zelenskyy briefed Trump on Russian stagnation in the war and upcoming Ukrainian offensives that would need US support.
• Ongoing high-stakes discussions at the UN General Assembly.

President Zelenskyy’s Speech to the United Nations

[12:43–20:52]

Key Themes and Quotes:

• Zelenskyy lambasted the decline of effective international law and the inadequacy of global institutions:

  “Today, no one but ourselves can guarantee security. Only strong alliances, only strong partners, and only our own weapons. It’s sick, but that’s the reality…Weapons decide who survives.” (13:09)

• Condemned UN inaction and referenced multiple ongoing world crises:

  “Even during bloodshed, there isn’t a single international institution that can truly stop it. That’s how weak these institutions have become.” (13:32)

• Emphasized trauma of child abductions:

  "Russia abducted thousands...But how long will it take to bring them all home? Childhood slips away faster than adults are able to help..." (14:20)

• Urged for international regulation of AI in warfare:

  “We are now living through the most destructive arms race in human history, because this time it includes artificial intelligence...We need global rules now for how AI can be used in weapons, and this is just as urgent as preventing the spread of nuclear weapons.” (15:36)

• Pragmatic argument for victory over Russia:

  “Stopping Putin now is cheaper than trying to protect every port and every ship from terrorists with sea drones. Stopping Russia now is cheaper than wondering who will be the first to create a simple drone carrying a nuclear warhead.” (16:22)

• Zelenskyy’s appeals were seen as warmly received, especially in the context of recent US support.

Special Segment: Life and Resistance in Occupied Territories

With Dr. Jade McGlynn
[20:52–39:53]

Atrocity in Chandrikholovo—Documented War Crimes

[21:51–26:13]

• Graphic video evidence surfaced showing Russian soldiers—at the order of a commander—executing a Ukrainian civilian family, taking a child hostage as a human shield.

  “There’s a Russian commander who has the call sign ‘Bali’ who gives the order...to destroy the civilian population. He instructs his troops to act quickly and to kill everyone indiscriminately.” (22:53)

• Dr. McGlynn highlights this as a clear, deliberate war crime and a reminder that such atrocities are ongoing, even if less reported.

  “Just because things aren’t always covered, it doesn’t mean that they’re not happening...I think just morally depraved a state we are seeing.” (24:14)

Plight of Civilian Detainees

[26:13–31:21]

• At least 16,000 civilian detainees held by Russian authorities, likely a significant undercount.
• Civilians are swept up in arrests for minor infractions or “quotas,” often face harsh torture and legal limbo in Russian/occupied jails:

  “If somebody goes missing in the occupied territories, it’s normal not to hear from them for one to three years…you may never hear from them again.” (28:58)

• Some effort to trace and support detainees exists, but limited protection for non-POW civilians—an “underreported” issue deserving more global attention.

Resistance Activities (Sept 11–24)

[31:38–37:49]

• 14+ confirmed resistance operations, mostly arson against Russian vehicles/personnel and railroad sabotage, especially in Crimea.
• Use of arson, sabotage, and targeted attacks as psychological and operational disruptions.
• Human intelligence from the resistance aids Ukrainian operations:

  “Although collaborators try to hide vehicles under netting, there is so much human intelligence that eyes on the ground pinpoint real targets.” (35:38)

• Growing effort to recruit/support the resistance and highlight the ongoing danger for occupiers:

  “There’s a huge psychological impact... you’re not safe and you’re never going to be safe.” (37:09)

Reactions to Trump’s Statement on Ukrainian Liberation

[38:19–39:53]

• Occupied regions respond with “cautious happiness” to Trump’s rhetoric about Ukraine regaining all its territory:

  “Of course, it’s been welcomed as good news, nice change...but very cautious and an overwhelming sense of abandonment.” (38:34)

• Skepticism remains; no real faith in a quick liberation due to challenging realities and daily hardship in occupied areas.

Closing Thoughts & Notable Final Segments

[39:53–47:26]

• NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte commented on the Danish drone situation:

  “NATO allies in Denmark are working closely on how we can ensure the safety and security of our critical infrastructure…” (39:54)

• Host Dom Nicholls expressed concern about a new UK–US memo on technology cooperation—especially the lack of inclusion of Australia (and the future of the AUKUS alliance).

  “I’m getting increasingly concerned about the viability of Aukus… only three of the Five Eyes, clearly.” (43:09)

• Francis Darnley reads from Mina Orlander/Chatham House, analyzing the strategic stakes if a European NATO country were to shoot down a Russian jet, contrasting with the 2015 Turkey incident. Main lesson: Russian testing of NATO response could risk escalation if the US withdrawal from Europe were perceived.

  “If Poland shoots down a Russian jet, it may mean something very different and be interpreted very differently by Russia…” (44:43)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Troels Lund Poulsen, Danish Defence Minister:
  “Everything points to this being the work of a professional actor…a hybrid attack using different types of drones.” (01:31)

• Francis Darnley, on Zelenskyy UN Speech:
  “Weapons decide who survives. You know perfectly well international law doesn’t work fully unless you have powerful friends who are truly willing to, to stand up for it.” (13:18)

• Dr. Jade McGlynn, on war crimes in occupied Ukraine:
  “It does appear to be the documentation of a war crime in real time by the units…just morally depraved a state we are seeing.” (22:53/24:14)

• Dr. Jade McGlynn, on civilian detainees:
  “It’s normal for you to not hear from them for between one to three years…they may just die.” (28:58)

• On resistance in Crimea:
  “Quick, low-signature arson against vehicles…framed as the start of a broader campaign to undermine the enemy’s mobility and sense of safety.” (32:14)

Segment Timing Guide

| Segment | Start | End | |--------------------------------------------|---------|---------| | Opening & Denmark Drone Incidents | 00:11 | 05:00 | | Ukrainian Strikes in Russia | 05:00 | 09:08 | | Ukrainian attacks in Crimea | 09:08 | 10:41 | | Russian strikes inside Ukraine | 10:41 | 12:15 | | Diplomatic/Economic Developments | 12:15 | 12:42 | | Zelenskyy’s UN Speech Review | 12:43 | 20:52 | | Occupied Territories: War Crimes/Detentions| 21:21 | 31:21 | | Resistance Activities (Dr. McGlynn) | 31:38 | 37:49 | | Reactions in Occupied Territories | 38:19 | 39:53 | | Final Thoughts (Hosts & Chatham House) | 39:53 | 47:26 |

Conclusion

This episode captures both the ongoing volatility around the battlefield—from drone attacks in Europe to intensified operations in Crimea—and the desperate humanitarian situation in Russian-held regions. Amid military updates, the political discourse at the UN is brought to the fore, highlighting Ukraine’s appeals for real alliances and international legal reform. The personal reality for those living under occupation—marked by abductions, torture, and clandestine resistance—rounds out the episode, reminding listeners of the war's human toll beneath the headlines.