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The BBC’s only English language programme entirely dedicated to the war in Ukraine and its fallout, Ukrainecast is your go-to podcast which investigates the biggest issues around the conflict: Could Putin push the nuclear button? How could Donald Trump end the war in 24 hours? What is the price for peace? The podcast is hosted by Newsnight presenter Victoria Derbyshire and BBC Monitoring’s Vitaly Shevchenko. Ukrainecast covers the most important topics around the conflict and speaks to the real people who’ve lived through several years of war. It also brings you agenda-setting interviews with special guests each week such as UK foreign secretary David Cameron, former US secretary of state Mike Pompeo and pre-eminent Russia expert Fiona Hill.
GET IN TOUCH: You can join our Ukrainecastonline community here: tinyurl.com/ukrainecastdiscord Send us a message or voicenote via WhatsApp to +443301239480 Email Ukrainecast@bbc.co.uk
You can listen to the latest episode of Ukrainecast anytime on your smart speaker by saying “Alexa, Ask BBC Sounds for Ukrainecast."
If you enjoy Ukrainecast (and if you’re reading this then you hopefully do), then we think that you will enjoy some of our other pods too. See links below. The Global Story: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvsd The Today Podcast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0gg4k6r Americast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p07h19zz Newscast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p05299nl

Ukrainecast

Could American military aid dry up once Donald Trump enters the White House in 2025? Are Russians and Ukrainians ready for a peace deal? And how might that take shape?

BBC Eastern Europe correspondent Sarah Rainsford and Russia expert Mark Galeotti are joined by an assortment of experts to look ahead to what could be a pivotal year for the war in Ukraine.

Also, the BBC’s Tim Whewell is in the studio to discuss an issue that could overshadow Poland’s support for Kyiv.

Today’s episode is presented by Jamie Coomarasamy and Vitaly Shevchenko.
 
The producers were Arsenii Sokolov, Ben Tavener and Eleanor Dengate-Harrison. The technical producer was Philip Bull. The series producer is Tim Walklate. The senior news editor is Sara Wadeson.
 
Email Ukrainecast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments. You can also send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram to +44 330 1239480

You can join the Ukrainecast discussion on Newscast’s Discord server here: tinyurl.com/ukrainecastdiscord

2025: A decisive year for Ukraine?

Sources in Kyiv say Ukraine killed Igor Kirillov, a senior Russian general who died in scooter blast in Moscow on Tuesday.

So how might the Kremlin respond? And what could this mean for the war in Ukraine?

Latvia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Baiba Braže and The Economist's defence editor Shashank Joshi give their reaction. 

Also, can President-elect Trump restrict Ukraine’s ability to use long range missiles within Russia?
 
Today’s episode is presented by Victoria Derbyshire and Vitaly Shevchenko.
 
The producers were Arsenii Sokolov and Diane Richardson. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The series producer is Tim Walklate. The senior news editor is Sara Wadeson.
 
Email Ukrainecast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments. You can also send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram to +44 330 1239480

You can join the Ukrainecast discussion on Newscast’s Discord server here: tinyurl.com/ukrainecastdiscord

Ukraine kills Russian general: How will Moscow respond?

Back in the summer, the actor and broadcaster Stephen Fry came into the Ukrainecast studio to discuss his visit to Ukraine to see how war is impacting the country's mental health.

To mark Christmas Day, he reads a short Christmas story which touches on some of the challenges Ukrainians face this winter.

‘Miracle in the Darkness’ is a short story from the book ‘Brave Tales’ by Iryna Vyhovska and Victoria Murovana. It was published by ACCA, in association with Suspilne media.

If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode you can visit BBC Action Line on www.bbc.co.uk/actionline

The producers were Arsenii Sokolov and Lizzy McNeill. The series producer is Tim Walklate. The senior news editor is Sara Wadeson.

Email Ukrainecast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments. You can also send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram to +44 330 1239480

You can join the Ukrainecast discussion on Newscast’s Discord server here: tinyurl.com/ukrainecastdiscord

Stephen Fry reads a Ukrainian Christmas story

How do you celebrate Christmas while living under constant threat of your home being bombed, air raid sirens going off and while your friends and loved ones are fighting on the frontline?

Two people who’ve appeared regularly on Ukrainecast this year got together in a Kyiv restaurant to chat through their plans for the festive season and their hopes for the new year.

Vitali, a graduate in his 20s and Iryna, mother to baby Mira (who makes a special appearance), recorded a conversation about what it's like to celebrate the festive season in Ukraine, while the war rages on.

This episode was made by Danny Wittenberg. The producers were Anna Chornous and Diane Richardson. The technical producer was Dan Ehrlich. The series producer is Tim Walklate. The senior news editor is Sara Wadeson.

Email Ukrainecast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments. You can also send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram to +44 330 1239480

You can join the Ukrainecast discussion on Newscast’s Discord server here: tinyurl.com/ukrainecastdiscord

How are Ukrainians celebrating Christmas in wartime?

Victoria and James tuck into some traditional Ukrainian Christmas dishes…

Chef Olia Hercules brings some festive food into the Ukrainecast studio and explains how food keeps her connected to her home.

Today’s episode is presented by Victoria Derbyshire and James Waterhouse.
 
The producers were Arsenii Sokolov and Diane Richardson. The technical producer was Ben Andrews. The series producer is Tim Walklate. The senior news editor is Sara Wadeson.
 
Email Ukrainecast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments. You can also send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram to +44 330 1239480

You can join the Ukrainecast discussion on Newscast’s Discord server here: tinyurl.com/ukrainecastdiscord

Recipes of resistance

Dmytro Kuleba spent four years working as Ukraine’s foreign minister before he left his post in September 2024. In a revealing interview he talks about his time working for Volodymyr Zelensky, shares his views on the outgoing Biden administration and tells us whether incoming President Trump can really negotiate peace. 

Today’s episode is presented by Victoria Derbyshire and Vitaly Shevchenko.
 
The producers were Ben Carter, Ryan Johnston and Clare Williamson. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The series producer is Tim Walklate. The senior news editor is Sara Wadeson.
 
Email Ukrainecast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments. You can also send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram to +44 330 1239480

You can join the Ukrainecast discussion on Newscast’s Discord server here: tinyurl.com/ukrainecastdiscord

Dmytro Kuleba on… understanding Trump and working for Zelensky

A Ukrainian officer fighting in Russia’s Kursk region gives us a unique insight into what it’s like taking on North Korean soldiers. 

We also hear from the editor-in-chief of the Economist, Zanny Minton Beddoes. She discusses how the new sanctions on Russian oil will hurt the country’s economy and tells us why Donald Trump won’t want to be seen as a loser. 

Today’s episode is presented by Victoria Derbyshire and Vitaly Shevchenko.
 
The producers were Arsenii Sokolov, Ben Carter and Ryan Johnston. The technical producer was Ben Andrews. The series producer is Tim Walklate. The assistant editor is Ben Mundy.
 
Email Ukrainecast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments. You can also send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram to +44 330 1239480

You can join the Ukrainecast discussion on Newscast’s Discord server here: tinyurl.com/ukrainecastdiscord

The Ukrainian fighting North Koreans in Russia

Today, Donald Trump has been sworn in as the 47th US president. 

He promised to unleash a blitz of executive orders, after calling for a "revolution of common sense" in Monday's inaugural address.

Victoria was joined by James Cook and Chris Mason from Newscast, Anthony Zurcher and Marianna Spring from Americast and Jonny Dymond from The Global Story to assess Trump’s first act as he became President again.

Email Ukrainecast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments. You can also send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram to +44 330 1239480

You can join the Ukrainecast discussion on Newscast’s Discord server here: tinyurl.com/ukrainecastdiscord

President Trump Is Back

President Trump has spent his first 24 hours back in the White House - having once claimed he would end the war in that time.

There’s no sign yet, but can Donald Trump provide peace? What did he say at his inauguration? And what can we learn from his first full day in the job?

Today’s episode is presented by Victoria Derbyshire, Vitaly Shevchenko and James Waterhouse.
 
The producers were Nathan Gower and Ryan Johnston. The technical producer was Hannah Montgomery. The series producer is Tim Walklate. The senior news editor is Sara Wadeson.
 
Email Ukrainecast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments. You can also send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram to +44 330 1239480

You can join the Ukrainecast discussion on Newscast’s Discord server here: tinyurl.com/ukrainecastdiscord

What does Donald Trump’s return mean for Ukraine?

What might Donald Trump’s strategy to end the war in Ukraine look like? We speak to Fred Fleitz, a national security official in Donald Trump's first administration who's close to the President's Ukraine and Russia envoy.

We ask him to decode the latest diplomatic noises out of Washington, Moscow and Kyiv, and shed light on what we can expect from Trump’s approach, as well as the prospects of success.

Today’s episode is presented by Victoria Derbyshire and Vitaly Shevchenko.
 
The producers were Nathan Gower and Ryan Johnston. The technical producer was Hannah Montgomery. The series producer is Tim Walklate. The assistant editor is Ben Mundy.
 
Email Ukrainecast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments. You can also send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram to +44 330 1239480

You can join the Ukrainecast discussion on Newscast’s Discord server here: tinyurl.com/ukrainecastdiscord

How could Trump end the war?

In a pivotal day for the war in Ukraine, Donald Trump has agreed to ‘work together’ with Vladimir Putin to end the conflict. Immediately after the call with Putin, Trump spent an hour on the phone with Volodymyr Zelensky.

Earlier in the day, the new US defence secretary Pete Hegseth told a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group in Brussels that it was unrealistic that Ukraine could return to its pre-2014 borders and he ruled out NATO membership for Ukraine. 

BBC Security Correspondent, Frank Gardner joins Victoria and Vitaly to discuss the latest developments. 
 
The producers were Ryan Johnston and Ben Carter. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The series producer is Tim Walklate. The assistant editor is Ben Mundy.
 
Email Ukrainecast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments. You can also send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram to +44 330 1239480

You can join the Ukrainecast discussion on Newscast’s Discord server here: tinyurl.com/ukrainecastdiscord

Trump calls Putin AND Zelensky to begin talks

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