419. Zelensky’s Spectacular Own Goal

A week of major military successes for Ukraine is overshadowed by a self-inflicted political crisis in Kyiv.

Hosts Saul David and Patrick Bishop break down President Volodymyr Zelensky's highly controversial dismissal of both his Prime Minister, Yulia Svyrydenko, and the young, popular, and deeply effective Defence Minister, Mykhailo Fedorov. The hosts explain why this move is being called Zelensky's "biggest mistake since the start of the full-scale invasion," sparking mass protests across Ukraine.

On a brighter note, the hosts look at a massive new defence pact with France, which has handed Ukraine the blueprints to co-produce SCALP EG cruise missiles and Aster air defence missiles. Meanwhile, Ukraine's relentless drone campaign triggers a massive Russian fuel deficit, causing fistfights at petrol pumps and halting shipping routes.

• The Fedorov Sacking: Why Zelenskyy ousted his widely praised defence minister over a rumoured power struggle and popularity jealousy, threatening Kyiv's international status.
• France's SCALP Blueprint: The details of a major new pact allowing Ukraine to build French SCALP cruise missiles, Aster missiles, and precision-guided bombs domestically.
• Crimea Blockaded by Air and Sea: How Ukrainian drones crippled 100 Russian tankers, shutting down seaborne shipping through the Don-Azov Canal.
• The "Freya" Initiative: A look at Europe's new $700,000 anti-ballistic system, a highly cost-effective Ukrainian-led alternative to the multi-million-dollar Patriot system.
• The F-16s in Action: An update on how Ukraine is successfully utilising its F-16 jets to knock down Russian cruise missiles and deliver precision-guided bombs.
• An Atomised Russian Society: Why drone strikes on infrastructure might actually be degrading Russian public support for the war, challenging traditional WWII assumptions.

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Producer: James Hodgson

A Goalhanger Podcast

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