The thinking way to win a war
It was supposed to be over by now, a three-day (at the most) blitz by Russia on its many-times smaller neighbour, an ego-boosting win for Vladimir Putin.
But the war is now in its fourth year, with Russia occupying just under a fifth of Ukraine, and some out-of-the-box thinking from Ukrainians boosting morale in the beleaguered country.
Today on The Detail, we talk about Operation Spiderweb, which destroyed planes deep into Russian territory; Russian retaliation; financing a conflict and who's winning, with the Telegraph's associate editor of defence Dom Nicholls.
He reports every weekday for the Telegraph's award-winning podcast Ukraine: The Latest – and he says there's always plenty to say.
'There's so much going on.
'There's always something happening on the battlefield but as we've discovered over the last three years of doing this, there's just a great appetite around the world to learn about Ukraine's history, the culture, the people, the food, the politics. So we come at it from all angles.'
Nicholls is former British Army and the podcast team makes sure they visit Ukraine at least three times a year, so they're not just sitting back and analysing from afar.
So, who is winning?
'In the dark days of February/March 2022, just Ukraine existing as a sovereign entity, with an effective government still in power, a president that's alive, and a society that's supportive of the war effort … I think many people at the time would have said 'right, let's have that, that's what we want'. Well that's kind of where we are now.
'Currently about 19 percent of the country's held by Russia, and President Zelensky's been very clear that they're never just going to accept the loss of [those] eastern regions. So does that mean that they're losing?
'Well look at it the other way. Putin thought that he was going to be in Kyiv in days, weeks at most. By no means has he achieved his aims there. He's almost bankrupted his country, he's wiped out a generation of people who can no longer work in the factories of Russia and generate the income, so the question is about, 'Is this a war or is this the war?'
'Is this the war you break your country over to win? That question is now being pushed in the face of Vladimir Putin.
'If the answer's no … you might want to think twice about what's happening now, three years into this thing.
'You can see both sides are winning, and both sides are losing as well.'
Also on The Detail, Nicholls talks about the differences between the Russian and Ukrainian mindsets when it comes to new ideas and carrying them out, as well as the effect that US President Donald Trump's attitude could have on the outcome of the war.
Check out how to listen to and follow The Detail here.
You can also stay up-to-date by liking us on Facebook or following us on Twitter.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
5 hours ago
- Scoop
Ukraine: Security Council Hears Of Escalating Attacks, Diplomatic Developments
20 June 2025 'As we are facing renewed escalation on the ground and crisis elsewhere, it is critical to maintain focused attention on the urgent need for peace in Ukraine,' said UN Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenča – one of two senior officials briefing the ambassadors. In the three weeks since the Council last met on Ukraine, Russia has carried out unrelenting large-scale attacks on cities and towns, resulting in a significant rise in civilian casualties. Deadly Kyiv attack A combined drone and missile attack on the capital Kyiv overnight on 16-17 June was one of the deadliest there in a year. At least 28 civilians were killed and more than 130 injured. Many others are still reported missing under the rubble of the 35 apartments destroyed that night. Attacks also reportedly occurred in Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, Chernihiv, Zhytomyr, Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv and Kyiv provinces that same night, with two civilians reportedly killed and scores injured in Odesa. 'These levels of death and destruction risk dimming hope for an immediate ceasefire and threaten to undermine prospects for a lasting peace,' he said. 'Dramatic increase' in casualties Data from the UN human rights office, OHCHR, reveals that at least 13,438 civilians, including 713 children, have been killed since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Another 33,270 civilians have been injured, including over 2,000 children. The number of civilian casualties in the first five months of this year alone totaled 5,144 – nearly 50 per cent higher than in the same period in 2024. Of this number, 859 were killed and 4,285 injured. 'This dramatic increase is a result of intensified use of long-range weapons, both missiles and loitering munitions, against cities across Ukraine,' said Mr. Jenča. Ukrainian authorities report that between 1 and 17 June, Russian forces launched at least 3,340 long-range drones, including loitering munitions and decoy drones, and 135 missiles into the country. This compares to 544 long-range munitions launched during the whole of June 2024. Attacks reported in Russia Escalating violence also continues to be reported in Russian regions that border Ukraine, though at a far lower level. In the Kursk region, a woman died in hospital a day after being injured in a Ukrainian drone attack while a man was killed, and five others injured, in a strike on a recreational centre. The UN was not able to verify these reports. 'Let me once again unequivocally state – attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure are strictly prohibited under international humanitarian law, wherever they occur,' said Mr. Jenča, reiterating the UN's condemnation. Diplomatic developments welcomed Meanwhile, 'important diplomatic developments have taken place on the challenging path towards a lasting peace in Ukraine.' Ukrainian and Russian delegations held their second face-to-face meeting in Istanbul on 2 June. They reportedly exchanged written memoranda outlining their respective visions for a ceasefire and parameters for a future peace settlement. The sides also reached agreement for the large-scale exchange of prisoners of war, mortal remains and civilian detainees. Swaps have been carried out since then, with the latest round taking place earlier on Friday. The mortal remains of 6,057 Ukrainian and 78 Russian servicepersons also have been returned as of 16 June. 'We welcome the continuation of all meaningful diplomatic efforts, including the recent talks in Istanbul. We urge the sides to make tangible progress towards a ceasefire and a lasting settlement through continued talks,' said Mr. Jenča. In the face of escalation, he called for redoubling efforts 'to ensure that the fragile diplomatic process is not only sustained but becomes irreversible.' Civilians bear the brunt In the meantime, civilians continue to bear the severe consequences of the war, said Edem Wosornu, Director of Operations at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). 'As the war continues, millions of lives are impacted every day. Essential services are disrupted, and vulnerabilities are deepening for nearly 13 million people in need of assistance,' she said. Roughly 3.7 million people are displaced inside Ukraine, including 60,000 newly displaced from frontline regions since January alone. Almost six million citizens are now refugees, mainly in Europe. Amid the intensifying hostilities, the Government continues to order the mandatory evacuation of families with children from front-line villages, she said. However, for some people in these locations 'attacks are so frequent that evacuations themselves become a risky prospect.' Humanitarians at risk Ms. Wosornu noted that humanitarians also face growing threats. This year, two aid workers have been killed and 24 injured while delivering assistance, and some 68 incidents of violence impacting relief personnel, assets and facilities have been recorded. She said that 'despite an operating environment beset by multiple risks and challenges,' humanitarians remain committed and engaged, and their operations continue. Between January and May, they reached some 3.4 million people with life-saving aid, including food, water, medicines, health services and livelihood support. Humanitarians are seeking $2.6 billion for Ukraine this year, and $816 million, has been secured, she said, stressing the importance importance of 'timely financial support'. End the war Ms. Wosornu concluded her remarks by renewing earlier calls for the Council to take urgent, collective action in three areas, including protecting civilians and ensuring safe humanitarian access to all in need. Ambassadors were also urged to ensure sustained financial support as 'declining funding trends' threaten aid efforts. Her final request was an appeal to 'end this war, and until then, ensure that humanitarian concerns are a central part of discussions on a pause in fighting or longer-term agreement.'
Scoop
6 hours ago
- Scoop
New Zealand Announces Further Aid For Ukraine
Rt Hon Christopher Luxon Prime Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters Minister of Foreign Affairs Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have announced a new $16 million package of support for Ukraine ahead of this week's NATO Summit in the Hague. 'New Zealand stands in solidarity with Ukraine. Its war of self-defence is well into its fourth year and our condemnation of Russia's illegal full-scale invasion remains undiminished,' Mr Luxon says. New Zealand's will make $4 million contributions to two multi-national funds providing lethal and non-lethal military assistance for Ukraine: the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) fund; and the United Kingdom and Latvia-led Drone Coalition for Ukraine. 'The defence of Ukraine has significant implications not only for the security of the Euro-Atlantic, but also for the Indo-Pacific,' Mr Peters says. 'We must continue to work with others in the international community to uphold a rules-based order that serves all our interests.' New Zealand will also provide $7 million in further humanitarian assistance for conflict affected communities in Ukraine, and $1 million for Ukrainians displaced in neighbouring countries. 'The scale of need remains vast, as Russia continues its bombardment of densely populated civilian areas of Ukraine,' Mr Luxon says. This support package follows the recently announced sanctions targeting Russia's 'shadow fleet' and other enablers of Russia's war in Ukraine. 'It is vital the international community maintains pressure on Russia to end its war and engage meaningfully with efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine,' Mr Peters says. More information about diplomatic, military, humanitarian and economic support to Ukraine, as well as sanctions, travel bans, and export controls against Russia, can be found on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade website here. Notes: The Government has implemented the following actions in response to Russia's war against Ukraine: · Passed the historic Russia Sanctions Act under which we have implemented sanctions targeting: o Vladimir Putin and key members of his inner circle. o Senior leadership of the Security Council of the Russian Federation. o All 620 members of the Russian parliament (State Duma and Federation Council). o All Russian Ministers and Governors. o More than 400 entities including state-owned enterprises, entities that are part of Russia's military industrial complex, Donbas militia groups, and Belarusian defence entities. o More than 110 oligarchs and immediate family with close ties and influence with the Russian Government. o 20 financial institutions, including Russia's Central Bank o 7 Belarusian financial institutions. o 56 individuals and entities involved in disinformation and cyber-attacks on Ukraine. o 15 members of the Central Election Commission. o Almost 100 Russian-directed leaders in occupied Ukrainian regions. o The Commissioner for Children's Rights in the Office of the President of the Russian Federation. o 23 Iranian individuals and 17 Iranian entities for supplying drones to Russia. o Individuals and entities involved in the supply of DPRK military materiel to Russia for use in Ukraine. · Banned all Russian and Belarusian Government and military aircraft and vessels from New Zealand. · Banned exports to Russian and Belarusian military and security forces. · Suspended bilateral Foreign Ministry Consultations with Russia. · Endorsed the UK-initiated Call to Action on the 'shadow fleet' engaged in sanctions circumvention by carrying Russian oil and gas. The Call to Action promotes compliance with international standards for maritime safety, environmental protection, and insurance. Trade measures · Implemented a 35% tariff on all Russian imports to New Zealand. · Banned the import of Russian gold into New Zealand. · Significantly expanded the export ban on Russia and Belarus to cover more industrial products of strategic importance (by adding more than 700 new prohibited tariff lines). · Banned the import of Russian oil, gas, and coal. · Banned the export of oil exploration and oil production goods to Russia. · Banned the import from and export to Russia of certain luxury goods. · Implemented the G7-plus oil price cap on Russian-origin oil. Other assistance to Ukraine · Since the full-scale invasion on 24 February 2022, New Zealand has pledged over $168 million in financial assistance and in-kind support to Ukraine in the face of Russia's invasion. That includes: o support for military training, equipment, and materiel valued at $110.3 million, including up to 100 NZDF personnel deployed to Europe. o $39.9 million in humanitarian assistance to conflict-affected Ukrainian communities in Ukraine and in neighbouring countries. o $6 million in support for recovery and reconstruction. o $5.2 million in support for international legal processes and human rights monitoring.
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
'She's wrong': Trump contradicts spy boss on Iran nuclear programme
US President Donald Trump said on Friday (local time) that his Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, was wrong in suggesting there was no evidence Iran is building a nuclear weapon. Trump contested intelligence assessments relayed earlier this year by his spy chief that Tehran was not building a nuclear weapon when he spoke with reporters at an airport in Morristown, New Jersey. "She's wrong," Trump said. In March, Gabbard testified to Congress that the US intelligence community continued to believe that Tehran was not building a nuclear weapon. "The (intelligence community) continues to assess that Iran is not building a nuclear weapon," she said. On Friday, Gabbard said in a post on the social media platform X that: "America has intelligence that Iran is at the point that it can produce a nuclear weapon within weeks to months, if they decide to finalize the assembly. President Trump has been clear that can't happen, and I agree." She said the media had taken her March testimony "out of context" and was trying to "manufacture division." The White House has said Trump will weigh involvement in the Iran-Israel conflict over the next two weeks. On Tuesday, Trump made similar comments to reporters about Gabbard's assessment. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has justified a week of airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military targets by saying Tehran was on the verge of having a warhead. Iran denies developing nuclear weapons, saying its uranium enrichment programme is only for peaceful purposes. In March, Gabbard described Iran's enriched uranium stockpile as unprecedented for a state without such weapons and said the government was watching the situation closely. She also said that Iran had started discussing nuclear weapons in public, "emboldening nuclear weapons advocates within Iran's decision-making apparatus." A source with access to US intelligence reports told Reuters that the assessment presented by Gabbard has not changed. They said US spy services also judged that it would take up to three years for Iran to build a warhead with which it could hit a target of its choice. Some experts, however, believe it could take Iran a much shorter time to build and deliver an untested crude nuclear device, although there would be no guarantee it would work. Trump has frequently disavowed the findings of US intelligence agencies, which he and his supporters have charged - without providing proof - are part of a "deep state" cabal of US officials opposed to his presidency. Gabbard, a fierce Trump loyalist, has been among the president's backers who have aired such allegations. The Republican president repeatedly clashed with US spy agencies during his first term, including over an assessment that Moscow worked to sway the 2016 presidential vote in his favour and his acceptance of Russian President Vladimir Putin's denials.
