Exclusive: Russian elite living in fear as Putin purges take bloody toll & inside the ‘dark destroyer’ drone factory manned by teenagers

Day 1,245.

Today, we hear the mood from Kremlin insiders following a series of high profile purges by Putin, discuss a new drone factory showcased in Russian propaganda, and consider drama in the Ukrainian parliament which risks impacting the international perception of the government. Plus, we hear the latest on the mood in the British House of Commons.

Contributors:

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

Memphis Barker (Senior Foreign Correspondent). @memphisbarker on X.

With thanks to our guests Iain Duncan Smith MP (@MPIainDS on X) and Jeff Hartman of Ukrainian Action (@UkrAaction on X).

Content Referenced:

Learn more about Ukrainian Action:

https://www.ukrainianaction.com/ 

Russian elite living in fear as Putin purges take bloody toll (Memphis Barker in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/22/oligarchs-living-in-fear-as-putin-purges-take-bloody-toll/ 

Ukrainian drone secrets ‘stolen by snooping Europeans’ (Memphis Barker in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/11/ukrainian-drone-secrets-stolen-by-snooping-europeans/ 

The tortured Ukrainian veteran turning shrapnel into a war museum (Memphis Barker in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/13/tortured-ukrainian-veteran-shrapnel-war-museum/ 

Inside Russia’s suicide drone factories manned by teenagers (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/07/20/russia-suicide-drone-factories-manned-by-teenagers/

'An extraordinary responsibility' — Ukraine's new ground forces commander outlines key priorities (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/new-ground-forces-commander-sets-priorities-troop-generation-training-and-unity/?mc_cid=51597b54d0&mc_eid=08d0680a95 

Russia’s struggle to modernize its military industry (Chatham House):

https://www.chathamhouse.org/2025/07/russias-struggle-modernize-its-military-industry

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