Putin breaks silence on Wildberries carnage as 15 killed in Russian bombardment on Kyiv

Day 1,637

Today, as at least 15 people are killed in another terrible missile bombardment on Kyiv, Putin is finally forced to acknowledge the Wildberries strikes that have seen warehouses ablaze across Russia. Meanwhile Ukraine targets Russian oil refineries once again. Then we ask whether former Defence Minister Fedorov overplayed his hand by calling for election – as key supporters reject the idea – before considering how Ukrainian literature and art is already shaping the war’s memory.

Contributors: 

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

With thanks to Charlotte Higgins, chief culture writer at the Guardian and author of Ukrainian Lessons: Art in a Time of War.

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Anita Blay

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Charlotte Higgins’ Book – ‘Ukrainian Lessons: Art in a Time of War’

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ukrainian-Lessons-Art-Time-War/dp/1787335976 

Victoria Amelina’s Book – ‘Looking at Women, Looking at War: A War and Justice Diary from Ukraine’

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Looking-Women-War-foreword-Margaret/dp/0008727503 

Learn more about the Ukrainian Institute Language School: https://uil.org.uk/language-school/  

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/20/russian-cruise-missiles-kill-12-in-kyiv/ 

Russia still has 50 Kinzhal missiles in its arsenal after suspending production – Ukraine's Defence Intelligence (Ukrainska Pravda)

https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2026/08/20/8049496/ 

Fuel pumps are running dry but Putin won’t let Russians complain (The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/08/20/fuel-pumps-running-dry-putin-russia-ukraine-war-kremlin/ 

Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, August 19, 2026 (Institute for the Study of War)

https://understandingwar.org/research/russia-ukraine/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-august-19-2026/ 

GeoInsider reporting on the Russian naval attack drone shot down by Romania

https://x.com/InsiderGeo/status/2090388854855397440?s=20

Adelie’s interview with Hugh Roberts on translating Ukrainian poetry

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AXCoKZkXMI 

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Putin breaks silence on Wildberries carnage
• 15 killed in Russian bombardment on Kyiv

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