Battleground

Goalhanger

A history podcast that explores the narratives, turning points, and characters that shape conflicts, encompassing a blend of social and military history. Following on from the series on the Falklands War, best-selling military historians Patrick Bishop, Saul David, and Roger Moorhouse turn their attention every Friday to the war in Ukraine, and every Wednesday look back at the significant wars, events, and figures from conflicts around the world.Goalhanger Podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 415. Choking the Russian War Machine

    2 dage siden

    415. Choking the Russian War Machine

    The clock is ticking on Vladimir Putin's presidency as Ukraine’s 40-day deep-strike campaign forces a "logistics lockdown" on occupied territories. This week, Saul David and Patrick Bishop break down the surgical precision of Starlink-guided Zvezducha drones paralyzing Russian supply lines. They also confront tough realities on both sides of the frontline, discussing catastrophic Russian casualty rates alongside a troubling investigation into misconduct within an elite Ukrainian regiment. Plus, a look at rumoured friction between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Valerii Zaluzhnyi over potential autumn elections, and a breakdown of the UK’s messy new defense investment plan. Highlights:The Starlink Scalpel: How mid-range drones are causing a slow strangulation of Russia’s means of waging war.Babel’s Investigation: Addressing unprecedented abuse allegations within Ukraine's 425th Separate Assault Regiment.Wartime Elections?: Why talks of a political showdown with Valerii Zaluzhnyi have left the hosts mystified.Listener Q&A: Unpacking post-war partition scenarios and why targeting civilian aviation remains a high-risk gamble. Join the Conversation: If you have a question about the war in Ukraine or any of the conflicts we cover, email us at podbattleground@gmail.com Follow us on: X - @PodBattleground Instagram - podbattleground Producer: James Hodgson A Goalhanger Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    47 min.
  2. 414. Reflections from Lviv: The Highs, Lows, and Hard Truths of a "Forever War"

    4 dage siden

    414. Reflections from Lviv: The Highs, Lows, and Hard Truths of a "Forever War"

    In the final episode of their latest journey through Ukraine, the team gathers in Lviv to reflect on a deeply moving and sobering trip. The day begins with dramatic news: Hungarian journalist and team fixer, Boldi, was detained for five and a half hours of polite but intense questioning by the SBU (Ukrainian Secret Service). After attempting to investigate a Russian rocket strike on the strategic Druzhba oil pipeline near Brody. Key Reflections from the Ground:The "National Shrug": The team discusses how initial wartime shock has shifted into a grim, everyday resignation as citizens adapt to a conflict with no clear endpoint. Tragedy and Fortitude: Remembrances of the trip's most haunting faces, from a grieving resident outside a destroyed Kharkiv apartment to Nastia’s heartbreaking process of identifying her fallen husband in Odesa. Defiance in the Everyday: Inspiring stories of resilience, including a zookeeper protecting animals under active shellfire and the crowded, vibrant streets of Kharkiv celebrating International Women’s Day. Signs of a Sea Change: A look at small tactical victories near Kupiansk, the clearing of Dnipro Oblast, and a powerful interview with Katya, a fearless female combat soldier who survived the brutal sieges of Bakhmut and Avdiivka. The team concludes with a look at the collective, undeniable energy of the Ukrainian people that continues to inspire anyone who witnesses it. Julius Strauss writes the blog Back from the Front and also owns and runs Wild Bear Lodge, a bear-viewing lodge, in Canada. Check out both in the links below: Substack: https://backfromthefront.substack.com/ Wild Bear Lodge: https://wildbearlodge.ca/ Join the Conversation: If you have a question about the war in Ukraine or any of the conflicts we cover, email us at podbattleground@gmail.com Follow us on: X - @PodBattleground Instagram - podbattleground Producer: James Hodgson A Goalhanger Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    26 min.
  3. 413. Trump’s G7 Bombshell, the Battle for Kostiantynivka, and Russia’s Desperate Draft Raids

    26. jun.

    413. Trump’s G7 Bombshell, the Battle for Kostiantynivka, and Russia’s Desperate Draft Raids

    In this episode of Battleground, hosts Patrick Bishop and Roger Moorhouse explore what feels like a momentous and highly unpredictable phase of the war in Ukraine. They unpack the strategic fallout from the G7 summit in Evian, where Donald Trump declared that America has "nothing to do with this war"—a stark statement contrasted by reports of his private, enthusiastic meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky over Ukraine's long-range strikes. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov laments the shifting diplomatic landscape. Patrick and Roger also dive deep into the current battlefield realities, dissecting Russia's infiltration tactics and propaganda stunts in the critical city of Kostiantynivka. They look at the severe logistics degradation and worsening manpower shortages facing the Kremlin, highlighting a wave of aggressive draft raids across European Russia that are sparking local panic and resistance. Key Topics Discussed:The American Calculus: Analysing Trump's transactional foreign policy, his controversial G7 comments, and the conflicting signals coming from his private conversations with Ukrainian leadership. The Battle for Kostiantynivka: Separating battlefield reality from Kremlin propaganda as Russian forces attempt to squeeze the "Fortress Belt" city in Donetsk Oblast. Russia's Forced Mobilisation: The political risks of the Kremlin's brutal new recruitment tactics, highlighted by a viral confrontation in Penza and widespread draft raids. Listener Q&A:The media's oversimplified war narratives versus front-line stasis. Ukraine’s innovative "Trophy Lab" program for reverse-engineering captured Russian military tech. The future of European and NATO defence spending in a post-war climate. Join the Conversation: If you have a question about the war in Ukraine or any of the conflicts we cover, email us at podbattleground@gmail.com Follow us on: X - @PodBattleground Instagram - podbattleground Producer: James Hodgson A Goalhanger Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    37 min.
  4. 412. The Superhumans of Ukraine with Eddie Scott

    24. jun.

    412. The Superhumans of Ukraine with Eddie Scott

    In this episode, Saul David and Julius Strauss travel to western Ukraine to visit the remarkable Superhumans Center in Lviv—a state-of-the-art reconstructive surgery and rehabilitation hospital addressing a staggering crisis of an estimated 100,000 amputees nationwide. They sit down with Eddie Scott, a British volunteer who survived catastrophic, near-fatal injuries while conducting humanitarian work in Ukraine. Instead of returning to the UK, Eddie chose to stay and now serves as the centre’s Senior Media Manager and global ambassador. In a deeply moving and raw conversation, Eddie shares his journey of physical and psychological recovery, the unique spirit of unity he finds in Ukraine, and delivers a blistering, urgent message to a Western world he fears is growing dangerously indifferent to the ongoing conflict. Julius Strauss writes the blog Back from the Front and also owns and runs Wild Bear Lodge, a bear-viewing lodge, in Canada. Check out both in the links below: Substack: https://backfromthefront.substack.com/ Wild Bear Lodge: https://wildbearlodge.ca/ Join the Conversation: If you have a question about the war in Ukraine or any of the conflicts we cover, email us at podbattleground@gmail.com Follow us on: X - @PodBattleground Instagram - podbattleground Producer: James Hodgson A Goalhanger Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    26 min.
  5. 411. The Squeeze on Crimea, Lukashenko’s Apology & Inside the Kherson 'Human Safari'

    19. jun.

    411. The Squeeze on Crimea, Lukashenko’s Apology & Inside the Kherson 'Human Safari'

    In a remarkably mixed bag of an episode, Roger Moorhouse and Saul David explore whether the war is finally "coming home" to ordinary Russians as a systematic Ukrainian degradation campaign triggers widespread fuel shortages and chaos across fifty-three Russian regions. The team breaks down Ukraine's multi-strand, hybrid strategy: disabling crucial land bridges to isolate the Crimean Peninsula, mocking Moscow's air defenses with daylight refinery raids, and the geopolitical shockwave of Belarus' Alexander Lukashenko publicly apologizing to President Zelensky. They also dive into a historical comparison to the 1944 Normandy breakout, asking if we are on the cusp of a major Russian battlefield collapse. Featured Interview: Later in the episode, intrepid Hungarian war reporter Boldi Gyori joins the podcast from Budapest. He shares deeply moving—and at times gruesome—firsthand accounts from his recent trip to the liberated but heavily targeted city of Kherson. Boldi details the terrifying reality of the Russian "human safari," where drone pilots use civilians for target practice, distance-mining litters the streets with "flower petal" explosives, and local volunteers brave "the blue hour" to evacuate the vulnerable and the deceased. (Warning: This episode contains graphic descriptions of civilian suffering and war casualties.) Plus, in the Q&A: A look at the clandestine partisan group Atesh.The likelihood of a desperate Kremlin executing a false flag operation.Why Vladimir Putin recently cut the Kremlin's security cameras over cybersecurity threats. Join the Conversation: If you have a question about the war in Ukraine or any of the conflicts we cover, email us at podbattleground@gmail.com Follow us on: X - @PodBattleground Instagram - podbattleground Producer: James Hodgson A Goalhanger Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    51 min.
  6. 410. The Artery of the Nation & The War on Corruption

    17. jun.

    410. The Artery of the Nation & The War on Corruption

    In this episode of Battleground Ukraine, Saul David and Julius Strauss check in from the bustling Kyiv Railway Station after completing a train journey from Kharkiv. Despite ongoing Russian infrastructure attacks that have heavily impacted the national grid, Ukraine’s rail network continues to prove itself as the resilient, indispensable artery keeping the country moving in wartime. The hosts explore how Ukraine’s railways have defied Western calls for "efficiency rationalisation"—revealing how their old-school, deep-reserve structure has actually saved them from collapse. They also examine Russia's evolving, aggressive strategy of targeting critical civilian infrastructure and how it measures up against international law. Diving Deep on Ukraine's Anti-Corruption BattleIn the second half of the episode, the hosts sit down after their remarkably candid conversation with Executive Director of Transparency International Ukraine - Andrii Borovyk to unpack the high-stakes battle against internal corruption—a fight critical to Ukraine's aspirations of joining the European Union. Key highlights from their discussion include: The Corruption Perception Index: Where Ukraine stands globally, its notable progress since 2014, and how it dramatically compares to Russia. The Midas Scandal & Zelenskyy’s Report Card: A look at the $100 million kickback scheme that rocked the administration, the subsequent firing of top advisor Andriy Yermak, and how the expert grades Ukraine's past and present leaders on crushing corruption. No One Above the Law: Why addressing wartime corruption cannot wait until the conflict ends, even as sectors like customs, energy, and military conscription remain vulnerable. The Power of the EU carrot: How Ukraine’s deep desire for EU membership serves as the ultimate external driver keeping the nation on its best behaviour. What's Coming Friday: Don't miss our next episode, featuring an exclusive, boots-on-the-ground report from friend of the show Boldi Gyori, who just spent a week in Kherson—arguably one of the most dangerous frontline cities in Ukraine right now. Julius Strauss writes the blog Back from the Front and also owns and runs Wild Bear Lodge, a bear-viewing lodge, in Canada. Check out both in the links below: Substack: https://backfromthefront.substack.com/ Wild Bear Lodge: https://wildbearlodge.ca/ Join the Conversation: If you have a question about the war in Ukraine or any of the conflicts we cover, email us at podbattleground@gmail.com Follow us on: X - @PodBattleground Instagram - podbattleground Producer: James Hodgson A Goalhanger Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    19 min.
  7. 409. Gaining Dominance: Ukraine Shifts the Momentum

    11. jun.

    409. Gaining Dominance: Ukraine Shifts the Momentum

    "History moves gradually, then suddenly."As Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine crosses a somber milestone—matching the exact duration of the First World War at 1,568 days—co-hosts Saul David and Patrick Bishop analyse what feels like a definitive "hinge moment" in the conflict. This week, the tide is turning rapidly in Ukraine’s favour, driven by an extraordinary and relentless intermediate-range drone campaign that Russia seems entirely incapable of combating. In part one of this deep dive, Saul and Patrick break down how Ukrainian drone pilots have effectively seized control of critical Russian supply lines, including the vital M14 highway, forcing the Kremlin into a logistical catastrophe. From frontline reports of Russian soldiers reduced to acting as supply mules to panic-buying and fuel rationing in occupied Crimea, the vital organs of the Russian war machine are under heavy fire. The hosts also examine the broader strategic landscape: Russia's deepening diplomatic isolation following pivotal elections in Armenia, the restructuring of Ukraine’s armed forces into powerful army corps, and the geopolitical chess match behind President Zelenskyy’s latest peace feelers. Later in the episode, the guys dive into the listener mailbag to answer your questions on: The psychological and political fallout of a potential large-scale Russian frontline collapse. How NATO handles Russia's continuous "fuzzy" hybrid provocations and the true threshold of Article 5. Whether the rapid evolution of cheap drone tech will permanently grounded multi-million dollar fighter jets in future warfare. Plus, a cyber security update on big tech's shifting role in the war, and a look back at the incredible, viral response to their recent interview with Ukrainian special operations forces operative Katya Ratushna. Join the Conversation: If you have a question about the war in Ukraine or any of the conflicts we cover, email us at podbattleground@gmail.com Follow us on: X - @PodBattleground Instagram - podbattleground Producer: James Hodgson A Goalhanger Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    44 min.
  8. 408. Geopolitical Shifts, Strategic Autonomy, and the 'Fantastic Kingdom' with Dr. Helene von Bismarck

    10. jun.

    408. Geopolitical Shifts, Strategic Autonomy, and the 'Fantastic Kingdom' with Dr. Helene von Bismarck

    As the war in Ukraine enters its fourth year , Europe finds itself facing a monumental geopolitical shift. With the United States under an erratic presidency taking a highly transactional, unpredictable approach to its historic alliances , the transatlantic network that has guaranteed Western security for eighty years is under profound strain. Can Europe truly step up to secure its own future , or is the dream of "strategic autonomy" just a lot of hot air? In this episode, hosts Patrick Bishop and Roger Moorhouse sit down with historian, author, and political commentator Dr. Helene von Bismarck. Together, they unpack the fragile state of European diplomacy, the erosion of international norms , and the rising tide of populism that threatens to derail Western resolve. They also dive into Helene’s latest book, Fantastic Kingdom: A Foreigner's Portrait of the United Kingdom. Helene offers a sharp, constructive, yet brutally honest perspective on Britain’s current grand strategic blindness, its inward-looking political debate, and the dangerous intersection between the global security crisis and the domestic crisis of liberal democracy. In this episode, we discuss:The Transatlantic Rift: Why European governments—from Berlin to Paris to London—are terrified of a fracturing NATO and how they are struggling to prepare for an unpredictable White House.The Power of Historical Memory: How ancient rivalries are being rewritten in lockstep cooperation (such as Poland and Germany) , and how visiting a Latvian museum reveals the deep-seated trauma that still shapes European responses to Russia.The Danger of Stereotypes: How crises like Brexit revive lazy national clichés just when we can least afford them.The Inward-Looking Kingdom: Helene’s deep disappointment with the current Labor government's fear of bold reform, and why ignoring international affairs to appease domestic populism is a losing strategy for any government.Security vs. Welfare: Why the modern debate around cutting social spending to fund defence is fundamentally flawed, and why protecting democracy and protecting state security are two sides of the same coin. Join the Conversation: If you have a question about the war in Ukraine or any of the conflicts we cover, email us at podbattleground@gmail.com Follow us on: X - @PodBattleground Instagram - podbattleground Producer: James Hodgson A Goalhanger Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    28 min.
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Om

A history podcast that explores the narratives, turning points, and characters that shape conflicts, encompassing a blend of social and military history. Following on from the series on the Falklands War, best-selling military historians Patrick Bishop, Saul David, and Roger Moorhouse turn their attention every Friday to the war in Ukraine, and every Wednesday look back at the significant wars, events, and figures from conflicts around the world.Goalhanger Podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oplysninger

  • Skaber
    Goalhanger
  • Aktive år
    2022 - 2026
  • Episoder
    436
  • Vurdering
    Ikke anstødeligt
  • Copyright
    © Goalhanger Podcasts
  • Websted for serie
    Battleground
  • Leverandør

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