Rumours of 'Ukrainian counteroffensive' in the south & Japan aligns with NATO to support Ukraine in surprise move

Day 1,447.

Today, amid growing rumours that Ukraine may be preparing a new counteroffensive, we discuss how the Kremlin is attempting to play down expectations and undermine confidence in the ongoing peace talks. We then report on Japan’s move to join the PURL initiative, examine a diplomatic row that has erupted at the Winter Olympics, and sit down with Romania’s Foreign Minister, Oana Țoiu, to hear how the war in Ukraine is being viewed from Bucharest, on NATO and the EU’s eastern flank.

Contributors

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

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

With thanks to Oana Țoiu, Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs. @oana_toiu on X.

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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.

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Zelensky backs athlete banned from wearing helmet bearing faces of war victims (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/winter-olympics/2026/02/09/ukrainian-athlete-vladyslav-heraskevych-anti-russian-helmet/ 

Russia bombs Ukrainian pet shelter (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/02/06/russia-bombs-ukrainian-pet-shelter/ 

How to keep an elephant and a gorilla warm during Kyiv's coldest winter of the full-scale war (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/animals-some-first-how-kyiv-zoo-protects-life-through-the-darkest-winter-of-war/?mc_cid=9ff030f3ca&mc_eid=08d0680a95 

Kenya to confront Russia over 'unacceptable' use of its nationals in combat (BBC):

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0k1jzvrykro?xtor=AL-71-

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