'We will not obey a criminal state': The activists who smuggle deserters out of Russia

Day 1,662.

Today, the EU announces a ‘counter-hybrid playbook’ and its own version of NATO’s Article 4 after the worrying increase of hybrid incidents and attacks on Europe. The US indicts four Russian intelligence agents preparing acts of terrorism and assassinations across Europe and the US. Meanwhile, American lawmakers are set to vote on Lindsey Graham’s Russian sanctions bill and President Zelensky claims that Moscow intentionally attacked Moldova. Later, Alex Nichol meets the activist risking everything to smuggle military deserters out of Russia.

Contributors:

Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.

Alex Nichol (Telegraph Journalist).

With thanks to Grigory Sverdlin, Russian activist and founder of the Get Lost project.

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:

Get Lost organisation website

https://iditelesom.org/en

Grigory Sverdlin’s book, Warming Point: How I Did Charity Work in Russia and Became an Enemy of the State (in Russian)

https://magaz.global/product/grigorii-sverdlin-punkt-obogreva

Ukraine's Zelenskyy tells CBS News Russia tried to attack his plane with drones twice in recent weeks (CBS)

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ukraine-russia-war-zelenskyy-cbs-interview-drones-targeted-plane-twice/

Why Zelenskyy says there’s no ‘win-win’ with Russia | Canadian exclusive (CBC)

https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.7344745

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:

• Meet the activists who smuggled 3600 deserters out of Russia
• New Ukrainian interceptor destroys Russia's powerful jet-powered drone

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