Biggest corruption scandal of Zelensky’s presidency rattles country & Polish civilians arm themselves in case of Russian invasion

Day 1,359.

Today, as Ukraine launches more projectiles at Russia than it receives in return, we examine the worsening situation on the ground in the Zaporizhzhia region and the growing domestic turmoil facing President Zelensky, as the corruption scandal rattles his government. We then look at the latest defence measures being adopted across Germany, Norway, and Poland, and end with voices from a Ukrainian women’s film festival highlighting resilience, creativity, and the power of cultural resistance amid war.

Contributors

Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.

James Rothwell (Berlin Correspondent). @JamesERothwell on X.

Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Journalist and Producer). @adeliepjz on X.

With thanks to Mariia Vynogradova and Ksenia Bugrimova from the Women and the World International Film Festival.

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CONTENT REFERENCED:

Tanks or drones? German defence giants clash over how to rebuild military (James Rothwell in The Telegraph):

https://tinyurl.com/yc7tdthu

Polish civilians arm themselves in case of Russian invasion (James Rothwell in The Telegraph):

https://tinyurl.com/56y9m2s4

Russia massing nuclear fleet in Arctic Circle ‘for war with Nato’ (James Rothwell in The Telegraph):

https://tinyurl.com/bdv28359

More Soldiers, More Gold (Bild):

https://tinyurl.com/bdurmwxf

Ukraine’s Hardest Winter (Jack Watling in Foreign Affairs):

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/ukraine/ukraines-hardest-winter 

Ukraine withdraws from positions near settlement in Zaporizhzhia (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-withdraws-from-another-settlement-in-zaporizhzhia-oblast-amid-ongoing-russian-offensive/?mc_cid=73117cc8fa&mc_eid=08d0680a95 

Women and the World International Film Festival:

https://www.iffww.com/

Trailer to Dad’s Lullaby, a documentary about a Ukrainian veteran by Lesia Diak:

https://cineuropa.org/en/video/464790/

Hitler’s DNA proves he really did have only one ball (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2025/11/12/scientists-secrets-adolf-hitler-dna-adhd/

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