Russia launches new missile at Ukraine after losing 46,000 troops in September

Day 1,677.

Today, on Ukraine’s Day of Defenders, Russia unleashes a new weapon against the country, one specifically designed to hurt civilians as winter approaches. Another school in Kyiv is hit and the British Foreign Office adds 31 more names to its list of sanctioned Russians, along with personal details including a few phone numbers. We gave one of them a ring. Russia seemingly gets the wrong end of the stick and threatens nuclear war over its Kaliningrad enclave. Later, Francis speaks to the director of a Lviv-based institute promoting Ukrainian culture and documenting Russia’s war in the form of folk tales.

Contributors:

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Sophie O’Sullivan (Telegraph journalist).

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

With thanks to Sasha Dovzhyk, founder of Index: institute for documentation and exchange.

Producer: Rachel Porter

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan

Social Producer: Tom Steed

Studio Director: Meghan Searle

Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley

Created by David Knowles

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Pentagon excludes key allies from NATO meeting (Politico)

https://www.politico.com/news/2026/09/30/trump-nato-allies-left-out-01100310

Lockheed Martin in ‘Deep’ Overseas Patriot Production Talks as Ukraine Eyes Domestic Output (Kyiv Post)

https://www.kyivpost.com/post/85792

'Apocalypse Baroque: Tales from Ukraine at War' by Sasha Dovzhyk:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Apocalypse-Baroque-Tales-Ukraine-War/dp/1917569319

Victoria Amelina Fellowship Programme 2027 (INDEX):

https://www.index-ukraine.org/en/news/vidkritij-konkurs-na-stipendiyu-imeni-viktoriyi-amelinoyi-2027

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Russia launches new missile at Ukraine designed to destroy energy infrastructureMoscow lost 46,000 troops in September, its highest monthly toll of the year

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