Shows
UkrainecastDid Trump ask Zelensky to hit Moscow?The White House has played down reports that Donald Trump privately encouraged Volodymyr Zelensky to strike targets deep inside Russia, including Moscow and St Petersburg. That's despite the US president's promise to deliver more weapons to Ukraine via NATO allies, and a new threat of secondary tariffs on countries buying Russian oil and gas. So is his administration's approach to Russia changing?Also, we hear about the more than 250,000 Ukrainians who came to the UK under schemes granting them special protections in the first three years of war. With their initial permission to stay running out, many...2025-07-1534 min
From Our Own CorrespondentTurkey’s chance for peaceKate Adie presents stories from Turkey, the South China Sea, Ukraine, the US and Angola.Outlawed Kurdish group the PKK, which has waged a 40-year insurgency against Turkey, has announced it's disbanding. More than 40,000 people were killed during its fight for an independent Kurdish state - now the group says the Kurdish issue 'can be resolved through democratic politics’. Orla Guerin reports from Diyarbakir, in the Kurdish heartland.In the South China Sea, the tiny island of Pagasa is at the centre of a dispute between the Philippines and China. For the past 10 years, China ha...2025-05-2428 minFrom Our Own CorrespondentIs Russia meddling in Moldova?Kate Adie presents stories from Moldova, Russia, the US, Cuba and Indonesia.In Moldova, a knife-edge victory for the Yes vote in the country's referendum on EU membership came as a shock to many. Chisinau and the EU have accused Russia and its proxies of ‘unprecedented’ interference. Alongside the referendum, the country’s pro-Europe president was also running for re-election. Sarah Rainsford was on the border with Transnistria.Moscow’s push into the Donbas in eastern Ukraine is intensifying, as Russian troops seek to gain control of the whole region. Earlier this year, Ukraine made its own...2024-10-2629 minUkrainecastIs the West out of touch with the reality of the war?As President Zelensky conducts a whistle stop tour of Europe…. we answer your questions on whether the West is out of touch with the reality of the war and what impact elections in the US and Europe could have on support for Ukraine’s war effort. Victoria is joined by our correspondent in Kyiv Sarah Rainsford and Cold War historian Sergey Radchenko.Today’s episode is presented by Victoria Derbyshire.
The producers were Arsenii Sokolov, Cordelia Hemming and Nick Sturdee. The technical producer was Jack Graysmark. The series producer is Tim Walklate. The senior news editor...2024-10-1119 minUkrainecastBiggest Prisoner Swap since the Cold War24 prisoners who have been held in six countries have been released in the largest East-West prisoner swap since the Cold War.The exchange involved 16 detainees from the West - including Americans Evan Gershkovich, Alsu Kurmasheva and Paul Whelan - and eight who are returning to Russia.Eastern Europe correspondent Sarah Rainsford has been in regular contact with some of those who have now been swapped, and gives us her reaction and security correspondent Gordon Corera explains what Russia is getting out of this and how it compares to previous exchanges.And we hear...2024-08-0131 minUkrainecastHow much do Ukrainians want a peace deal?Is support for peace deal growing among Ukrainians?Between President Zelensky saying Russia should attend a peace summit in November, and a recent poll suggesting that more Ukrainians would now accept some territorial concessions, we assess whether the mood is changing. Dr Patricia Lewis who leads the International Security programme at Chatham House gives her take.Victoria and Vitaly are also joined by Vitaly Pashchenko, a student in Kyiv and Oleksii Svid, who lives in Kharkiv, who have different opinions about the possibility of peace talks and what that might entail.Today’s ep...2024-07-3026 minUkrainecastSerhiy's story: How Russia silenced a young man's voiceSerhiy Gulko made a difficult choice to finish his medical degree at Moscow State University after Russia attacked his homeland, Ukraine. Two years later, he was arrested for speaking out against the war on social media. Serhiy tells us about his experience in detention and whether ordinary Russians support the war.And Oleg Kozlovsky, an Amnesty International Russian researcher, tells us about the extreme measures taken to repress protest in the country.Today’s episode is presented by Victoria Derbyshire and Vitaly Shevchenko.
The episode was produced by Clare Williamson with Arsenii Sokolov, Bella Saltiel an...2024-07-0227 minUkrainecastLidiia's story: The 98-year-old who fled from Russian occupation in her slippersWhen Lidiia’s home town in the Donbas region became a battlefield, the 98-year-old walked through the fighting to safety 10km away. Ukrainian police eventually picked her up when they saw her and asked, “Hey granny, where are you off to?”We also hear from Denys Kazanskyi a Ukrainian journalist and author who comes from the area about attitudes to Russia since the occupation began in 2014.Today’s episode is presented by Victoria Derbyshire and Vitaly Shevchenko.
The producers were Arsenii Sokolov, Bella Saltiel, Nick Sturdee, Clare Williamson and Sanjana Idnani. The technical producer was Mike Reg...2024-06-2824 minUkrainecastQ&A: 800 days, what is the price for peace?It’s 800 days since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. We answer your questions on whether Russia has used chemical weapons, could Western troops ever be deployed, what the prospects are for peace, and at what cost?To help do this Victoria and Vitaly are joined by two friends of the podcast: Samantha de Bendern, and Newsnight’s Mark Urban.And we hear from inside the town at the epicentre of the fighting in eastern Ukraine, Chasiv Yar.
Today’s episode is presented by Victoria Derbyshire and Vitaly Shevchenko.
The producers were Arsenii Sokolov, Cordel...2024-05-0328 minUkrainecastCrimea: Ten years under Russian controlTen years ago this month Crimea was occupied and then annexed by Russia. We find out what it’s like to live there now.
We also speak to journalist, film-maker and Russia specialist, Nick Sturdee. He’s interviewed families who have relatives currently being held prisoner in Crimea.
Victoria and Vitaly also chat to Maria Tomak, head of the Crimea Platform, which is based in Ukraine and tries to raise awareness of the situation in Crimea. Today’s episode is presented by Victoria Derbyshire and Vitaly Shevchenko.
The producers were Arsenii Sokolov and Ivana Davidovic. The technical produc...2024-02-0626 minFrom Our Own CorrespondentVoices From Libya’s Flood-hit EastKate Adie presents stories from Libya, Ukraine, Australia and the USAnna Foster visits the flood-affected region of Derna, in Libya's east, where she speaks to survivors of the storm surge after two dams collapsed in the hills above the city.In the Russian-controlled areas of Donbass in Ukraine's east, Nick Sturdee hears from residents there who have lived through nearly a decade of fighting. In an area which is hard to reach for Western journalists, he gains an insight into how the conflict is seen and understood there.Australians are poised to...2023-09-2327 minUkrainecastOdesa: A Week of Missile StrikesWhy is Russia targeting the historic port city after it withdrew from the grain deal?We hear from James Waterhouse, who has spent the weekend in Odesa and visited the landmark Transfiguration Cathedral, which was hit by strikes. And opera singer Katerina Tsymbaliuk tells us what it was like to perform in the cathedral and why her city’s residents are so resilient.Also, Nick Sturdee has been speaking to contacts in Donbas about life in this Russian-annexed part of Eastern Ukraine.Today’s episode is presented by Lucy Hockings and Vitaly Shevchenko.
The...2023-07-2531 min
Dj Ivan Pcs CfaNigeria’s Young Voters Find Their VoiceNigeria's recent presidential election encouraged many young Nigerians to engage with the political process for the first time and cast a vote, despite a backdrop of voter intimidation and claims of election fraud. Yemisi Adegoke says this impetus is set to continue. The sinking of a migrant boat off the coast of Calabria once again highlighted the dangers of migrant crossings on the high seas. Frey Lindsay travelled on a rescue boat run by a charity from Libya to Ravenna and heard from those on board about what they left behind. The verdict in the trial of former Mexican government...2023-03-0429 minFrom Our Own CorrespondentNigeria’s Young Voters Find Their VoiceNigeria's recent presidential election encouraged many young Nigerians to engage with the political process for the first time and cast a vote, despite a backdrop of voter intimidation and claims of election fraud. Yemisi Adegoke says this impetus is set to continue.The sinking of a migrant boat off the coast of Calabria once again highlighted the dangers of migrant crossings on the high seas. Frey Lindsay travelled on a rescue boat run by a charity from Libya to Ravenna and heard from those on board about what they left behind.The verdict in the...2023-03-0428 min
AnalysisFrom Brother to OtherIt’s a year since Russia launched its war in Ukraine; a year that has brought failure, humiliation, defeat and heavy losses on the battlefield, and international isolation. The conflict has impacted the entire Russian population, with unprecedented sanctions and an unpopular and poorly executed nationwide mobilization. Ukraine was always considered Russia’s closest and most loved neighbour, and yet the Kremlin’s so-called ‘special military operation’ still apparently enjoys considerable support and acceptance among Russians. Journalists Tim Whewell and Nick Sturdee tell the story of how the war has been presented to the Russian people. They explore th...2023-02-2029 minFrom Our Own CorrespondentUkraine’s unified resistanceIt’s one month since Russia first invaded Ukraine, under the pretext of denazifying the country. But Putin’s calculation that his troops would be greeted as liberators by Russian-speaking Ukrainians has proved to be wrong. Nick Sturdee has found that the invasion appears to have unified the disparate parts of the Ukrainian population.
Romania's Prime Minister pledged “unconditional political support” for Ukraine in February and so far, has welcomed more than half a million refugees. Jen Stout has been to one of the border crossings and finds the arrival of the Ukrainians has helped locals forget their own differen...2022-03-2428 minFrom Our Own CorrespondentNew lockdowns in GermanyGermany had eased its lockdown, but after a spike in cases at a meat-packing factory the authorities have re-imposed lockdown restrictions in two districts, affecting over half a million people. Is this the start of a second wave or just something to be expected asks Damien McGuinness?
The Islamist militant group Boko Haram has operated in north-east Nigeria for years, despite the Nigerian army's efforts to defeat them. Recently there has been a new spate of attacks, in the garrison town of Monguno, and two more nearby. And now, they are targeting aid workers, as Colin Freeman reports.
There...2020-06-2528 minFrom Our Own CorrespondentLocust Swarm ChasersStories from Kenya, Italy, Russia, Syria and Portugal. For the past few months, swarms of desert locusts have been eating their way across the Middle East and Africa. As Joe Inwood finds, stopping the swarms has so far proved nigh on impossible for people in the region - with many resorting to yelling, blowing whistles or even firing guns at them. Italy’s anti-mafia police do their best to catch the big shots in clans like the Camorra. Dominic Casciani spent an evening with battle-hardened officers in unmarked patrol cars tackling organised crime in Naples. In...2020-02-2028 minFrom Our Own Correspondent#SaveRahaf: Last night a retweet saved my lifeThe Saudi teenager Rahaf al-Qunun was spared deportation after details of her plight were spread on social media while she barricaded herself in a hotel room in Thailand. She feared being killed by her family if she was forced to return to Kuwait. She was saved not by her passport but by her phone, observes Jonathan Head.Kate Adie introduces this and other stories from correspondents around the world:Olivia Acland reflects on why the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo may have to wait a little longer than expected to celebrate their country’s...2019-01-1227 min
Crossing ContinentsThe Mystery of Russia's Lost Jihadi BridesThousands of young Russian Muslim men were lured to join so-called Islamic State - taking their wives and children with them. But since the "caliphate" fell last year, those families have vanished - and grandmothers back in Russia are desperate for news. The Kremlin wants to bring the children home. It says they've committed no crimes. But finding them and their mothers is hugely difficult. Iraqi authorities say they're holding many IS families - but they won't name them. Gradually though, dramatic scraps of information are emerging - a scribbled note from a prison, whispered phone messages, photos and...2018-04-1928 minCrossing ContinentsThe Child Saver of MosulA one-woman whirlwind of passion and energy, Sukayna Muhammad Younes is a unique phenomenon in Iraq. A council official in the half-destroyed city of Mosul, former stronghold of so-called Islamic State, she's on a mission to find and identify the thousands of children who went missing during the conflict - and reunite them with their families. It's a massive task - and deeply controversial because Sukayna makes no distinction between children who are victims of IS - and those who belonged to IS families. "They're all just children - all innocent," she says. Tim Whewell follows Sukayna through the...2018-04-1228 minFrom Our Own CorrespondentTalk of WarNuclear fears in South Korea, a homeless tour of Athens, and a porcupine hunt in Tanzania. Kate Adie introduces correspondents’ stories from around the world. Talk of war is worrying Steve Evans in the South Korean capital Seoul - he now fears for the future of his home city. In Italy, Nick Sturdee finds plain-clothes policemen following anti-migrant campaigners, while a TV drama is being filmed about the mayor opening up his town to Syrians, Bangladeshis and others. ‘Migrants wanted’ is the message Mark Stratton finds on Pitcairn Island – the British Overseas Territory with a dwindling population in the s...2017-07-0827 minFrom Our Own CorrespondentEnemies of OldSomalia faces famine, ethnic conflict continues in Myanmar and the ‘She-Wolf’ retires. Kate Adie introduces correspondents’ stories from around the world. On a rare trip into the remote Northern Shan State of Myanmar, Nick Sturdee meets one of the ethnic militias still at war with the military. There are harrowing sights for Mary Harper in Somalia and Somaliland, as she sees for herself the toll that severe drought and threat of famine are taking on the population, particularly the children. In contrast Will Grant finds something to celebrate for Cuba’s socialist leadership. As the a...2017-05-0628 minFrom Our Own Correspondent"Beautiful, Beautiful Chaos"Bridget Kendall introduces correspondents' stories. Today, Tim Hartley hears how politics are forgotten amid the colour and friendship of the African Cup of Nations in Gabon. Nick Sturdee has a fantastical tale of intrigue and murder in Turkey - but where does the trail lead? Hywel Griffith, in Sydney, Australia, is with the 90 year old who is keeping the developers at bay. Emma Levine hunts down Albania's elusive rail network; and phoning home may have been difficult during the Kosovo conflict but Andrew Gray remembers fondly the opportunities and advantages of not being connected.2017-02-0228 min
Free Speech DebateOn Free Speech 3: The Fine Art of ActivismThis month's podcast focuses on the sometimes fine line between artistic expression and free speech. It features interviews with filmmaker Nick Sturdee on the Russian art collective Voina, and stand-up comedian Tom Greeves on the UK's parody laws. The podcast also contains snippets of some of the best content on the Free Speech Debate website including a discussion on Islam with Irshad Manji, author of Allah, Liberty and Love, as well as with Rebecca MacKinnon, author of Consent of the Networked, on the need for netizens to take back control of the internet.2012-04-1324 min