Battleground

423. On the Front Line with Ukraine's Drone Units with Arnaud De DeckerHosts Patrick Bishop and Roger Moorhouse take a look at the latest shifting political dynamics surrounding US-Ukraine relations. They unpack the recent White House meeting between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the potential transactional nature of future US support, and the growing role of Ukraine’s defence industry. Then, Belgian journalist Arnaud De Decker joins the show for an extended interview to share his eyewitness perspective on the war. Returning from an embed with an FPV drone unit in the Donbas, Arnaud offers a vivid account of the reality inside the "kill zone", the rapid integration of ground drones and fibre-optic tech, and a harrowing close encounter with a Russian drone. He also breaks down the domestic fallout from high-level Ukrainian military shake-ups, the stark realities facing soldiers on the front lines, and briefly discusses his recent reporting on the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Sudan. Key Topics Covered: US-Ukraine Political Thaw: • Analysing Trump and Zelenskyy’s recent meeting, potential visits by US envoys, and the transactional framework of prospective peace and reconstruction deals. Kyiv Military Shake-Up: • The public backlash and protests following the dismissal of Defence Minister Fedorov, the replacement of Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi with General Drapaty, and how leadership rivalries impact frontline operations. Inside the Kill Zone: • Arnaud De Decker's firsthand experience embedded with the "Signum" drone unit in the Donbas, dodging fibre-optic Russian FPV drones, and relying on ground drones for logistical supplies. The "Uber" for Drone Pilots: • A look inside the operations of the "Birds of Magyar" unit and how long-range, low-cost B2 strike drones are targeting multi-million-dollar Russian air defence systems. Frontline Reality vs Strategy: • The widening gap between high-level strategic/mid-range strike successes and the deteriorating, high-pressure situation for ground troops and civilians near Kramatorsk and Sloviansk. Spotlight on Sudan: • Arnaud shares insights from his reporting in Khartoum and Darfur, detailing the immense destruction, geopolitical influence, and the ongoing humanitarian crisis. Join the Conversation: If you have a question about the war in Ukraine or any of the conflicts we cover, email us at podbattleground@gmail.com Follow us on: X - @PodBattleground Instagram - podbattleground Producer: James Hodgson A Goalhanger Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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421. Retail Under Fire: Drone Strikes, Oligarch Warnings, and a New Ukrainian CommanderHosts Roger Moorhouse and Patrick Bishop return to discuss the latest critical developments in the war, starting with a major strategic shift in Ukraine's drone targeting. The hosts break down Ukraine's long-range strikes against distribution centres belonging to Wildberries—Russia’s largest online retailer—which have left facilities destroyed, killed nine people, and caused widespread economic disruption. While Russian sources denounce the strikes as terrorism, Ukrainian sources and President Zelenskyy maintain that the retailer forms a key part of Russia's military supply chain, distributing items like body armour, drone parts, and sanctioned electronics. The hosts also examine the ongoing political and military drama at the top of Ukraine's armed forces. Following public backlash over the sacking of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi has also been removed and replaced by Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi, a modern, reform-minded commander. Highlights:Strikes on Wildberries: • How Ukrainian drone attacks on major warehouses near Moscow, Tambov, and Podolsk hit Russia’s consumer economy and military logistics. Economic Backlash: • The financial strain on a million Russian entrepreneurs whose contracts failed to cover drone damage, driving up broader inflationary pressures. Oligarch Breaks Ranks: • Why Russian industrialist Andrei Melnichenko’s interview with The Economist • warning of looming disaster may actually be a Kremlin-approved piece of disinformation. Change at the Top: • The removal of Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi and the appointment of Major General Mykhailo Drapatyi, known for his actions in Mariupol and Kharkiv. French Cyber Warning: • France’s firm stance against persistent FSB cyberattacks on its institutions, authorizing active countermeasures ahead of its 2027 presidential elections. Listener Q&A: • Discussions on cyberattacks versus physical drone strikes on petrol stations, Western geopolitical moves in the Middle East, and the strategic leverage surrounding the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Join the Conversation: If you have a question about the war in Ukraine or any of the conflicts we cover, email us at podbattleground@gmail.com Follow us on: X - @PodBattleground Instagram - podbattleground Producer: James Hodgson A Goalhanger Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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