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Battleground

Battleground

By: Goalhanger
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 A history podcast that explores the narratives, turning points, and characters that shape conflicts, encompassing a blend of social and military history. Following on from the series on the Falklands War, best-selling military historians Patrick Bishop, Saul David, and Roger Moorhouse turn their attention every Friday to the war in Ukraine, and every Wednesday look back at the significant wars, events, and figures from conflicts around the world. Goalhanger PodcastsGoalhanger Podcasts World
Episodes
  • 389. Drone Breakthroughs, Russian Oil Strikes, and JD Vance in Budapest

    389. Drone Breakthroughs, Russian Oil Strikes, and JD Vance in Budapest
    Apr 10 2026
    In this episode of Battleground Ukraine, hosts Saul David and Roger Morehouse explore a series of significant developments that suggest a shifting tide in the conflict. Political Controversy in Budapest: A look at US Vice President JD Vance’s recent speech in Hungary, his support for Victor Orbán, and the implications of his "outrageous" claims regarding foreign electoral interference. Revolutionary Drone Warfare: For the first time in history, a drone-led operation—using the British-made Malloy T150—successfully brought down a Russian-held bridge over a tributary of the Dnipro River. Strategic Strikes on Russian Oil: Despite calls from allies to stop, Ukraine continues its precision strikes on Russian oil hubs and refineries, including targets near Moscow and the Baltic port of Primorsk, to choke off Russian war profits. MI6 Assessment & Frontline Success: With reports indicating that Ukraine’s defenses are at their most secure in 10 months, we analyze recent gains near Avdiivka and the impact of the stalling Russian spring-summer offensive. Systemic Brutality in the Russian Ranks: A deep dive into reports from The Economist regarding the horrific conditions, corruption, and exploitation faced by Russian soldiers at the front. Cybersecurity & "Cat Feeder" Comms: How Russian citizens are using creative methods—from Duolingo to video-enabled cat feeders—to bypass the Kremlin’s crackdown on VPNs and messaging apps. Saul and Roger also answer listener questions regarding the security of the Baltic states and the potential impact of a change in US administration on military aid. Join the Conversation: If you have a question about the war in Ukraine or any of the conflicts we cover, email us at podbattleground@gmail.com Follow us on: X - @PodBattleground Instagram - podbattleground TikTok - battlegroundukraine Producer: James Hodgson A Goalhanger Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    49 mins
  • 388. Hungary’s High-Stakes Election

    388. Hungary’s High-Stakes Election
    Apr 7 2026
    In this special episode, Saul David is joined by joined from Budapest by friends of the show Julius Strauss and Boldizsár Győri to analyse the high-stakes Hungarian election taking place this Sunday, April 12. With Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s 16-year grip on power facing a severe threat from challenger Péter Magyar and the Tisa party, the team investigates a "cemetery of skeletons" emerging from the ruling government. The discussion uncovers explosive revelations, including hard evidence that the Hungarian Foreign Minister has acted as a Russian asset by leaking EU secrets directly to Moscow and lobbying for the removal of Russian oligarchs from sanctions lists. The hosts also explore reports of a thwarted Russian "false flag" assassination plot against Orbán and the discovery of explosives near the Serbian border designed to stir voter fear. As the polls show the ruling Fidesz party trailing, the episode evaluates potential post-election scenarios, from the possibility of civil unrest and splits within the security forces to the broader implications for NATO and the EU. Finally, the team examines the global context of the race, including the impact of U.S. figures like JD Vance and how the escalating conflict in the Middle East is inadvertently bolstering Russia’s war chest through rising oil prices. Join the Conversation: If you have a question about the war in Ukraine or any of the conflicts we cover, email us at podbattleground@gmail.com Follow us on: X - @PodBattleground Instagram - podbattleground TikTok - battlegroundukraine Producer: James Hodgson A Goalhanger Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    38 mins
  • 387. The Baltic Blitz: Dismantling Putin’s War Chest

    387. The Baltic Blitz: Dismantling Putin’s War Chest
    Apr 3 2026
    In this edition of Battleground Ukraine, Roger Moorhouse and Patrick Bishop explore a week where the geography of the war has expanded significantly—both through daring long-range strikes and complex global diplomacy. We begin with an analysis of Ukraine’s concerted offensive against Russian oil infrastructure in the Baltic. With repeated strikes on the Primorsk and Ust-Luga terminals, Kyiv is hitting the Kremlin where it hurts most: the wallet. We examine how these attacks are effectively neutralising the financial "boon" Putin hoped to reap from rising global oil prices following recent escalations in the Persian Gulf. Later in the program, Patrick Bishop interviews author Julian Evans about his acclaimed book, Undefeatable: Odesa in Love and War. Join the Conversation: If you have a question about the war in Ukraine or any of the conflicts we cover, email us at podbattleground@gmail.com Follow us on: X - @PodBattleground Instagram - podbattleground TikTok - battlegroundukraine Producer: James Hodgson A Goalhanger Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    44 mins
All stars
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Really enjoying this podcast. Well presented and very informative. Just sorry you have had to report on Ukrainian for so long hope that war ends soon.

Great podcast.

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