Day 1,523.

Today, after one of the deadliest bombardments Ukraine has endured this year, we hear of new Russian infiltration missions on the frontlines, how a masked Ukrainian soldier crashed a Zoom call at a Russian military recruitment event – telling students he would be forced to kill them if they joined the army – and more evidence that the US seeks to bring Moscow out of the cold by inviting them to the G20. Then we bring you a special update from the world of chess, and how names familiar to us – like Peskov and Shoigu – are involved in the Chess Federation, while the game is utilised as a tool of control in the occupied territories.

Contributors:

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

Malcolm Pein (Telegraph Chess Correspondent). @TelegraphChess on X.

With thanks to the former coach of two chess world champions – and a Grandmaster himself – Peter Heine Nielsen.

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:

Robot rescues Ukrainian pensioner from front-line village (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/04/27/robot-rescues-ukrainian-pensioner-front-line-village-russia/

I was in the room with Trump as the shots rang out (Connor Stringer in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2026/04/26/donald-trump-white-house-correspondents-dinner

Ukrainian soldier crashes Zoom call with Russian recruits (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/04/24/ukrainian-soldier-crashes-zoom-call-with-russian-recruits/

British fighter jets scrambled after Russian strike on Nato border (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/04/25/british-fighter-jets-scrambled-after-russian-strike-on-nato/

EMAIL US:

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

HIGHLIGHTS:

Ukrainian soldier hacks Zoom call with Russian recruits
How chess is weaponised in the occupied territories

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'If you come, I'll kill you' - Ukrainian soldier hacks Zoom call with Russian recruits & weaponing chess in the occupied territories

Ukraine: The Latest

'If you come, I'll kill you' - Ukrainian soldier hacks Zoom call with Russian recruits & weaponing chess in the occupied territories