NATO and Russia edge closer to standoff & exclusive interview with mother of Ukrainian child adopted by Putin ally

Day 1,308.

Today, amid more violations of European airspace by Moscow, we assess the reactions of NATO, including extraordinary remarks by the Polish deputy prime minister at the UN Security Council. Then – in a world first – we interview a Ukrainian woman whose stolen daughter has been adopted in Russia by one of Vladimir Putin's allies. She tells us about her fight to bring her back.

Contributors:

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

Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.

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

With thanks to the Emile Foundation. @emile_fondation on X.

JOIN US FOR 'UKRAINE: THE LATEST' LIVE, IN-PERSON:

Join us for an in-person discussion and Q&A at the distinguished Honourable Artillery Company in London on 22nd October starting at 7pm.

Our panel includes General Sir Richard Barrons, former head of UK Joint Forces Command and latterly one of the authors of Britain’s Strategic Defence Review, and Orysia Lutsevych, head of the Ukraine Forum at the Chatham House think tank.

Tickets are open to everybody and can be purchased at: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainelive 

Content referenced:

Francis’s Video Dispatch on Russian Interference in Moldova:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZC5FvDt-u0

Revealed: Putin’s Secret Plan to Hack Moldova’s Pivotal Election (Bloomberg):

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-09-22/moldova-elections-russia-s-plan-to-hack-the-vote?srnd=undefined 

The tiny Swedish island regiment tasked with protecting Europe from Russia (Venetia’s Dispatch on Gotland):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/06/17/the-tiny-swedish-island-regiment-tasked-protecting-europe/ 

Britain will ‘confront’ Russian fighter jets (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/09/22/britain-will-confront-russian-fighter-jets/ 

Estonia open to hosting British nuclear-capable fighter jets (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/09/23/estonia-open-to-hosting-british-nuclear-weapons/ 

Russia presses global aviation gathering to ease sanctions over safety concerns (Reuters):

https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/russia-asks-un-aviation-agency-icao-ease-sanctions-over-safety-concerns-2025-09-22/ 

Missing Ukrainian child traced to Putin ally

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-67488646

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Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers.

NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:

The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them. Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatest

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