Scientists cling to burning building after Russian raid & Ukraine's Operation Vivaldi liberates occupied villages

Day 1,675.

Today, after more deadly daytime raids strike Kyiv – with people climbing out the windows of burning buildings – we hear how Poland is changing its rules of engagement regarding drones entering its airspace as the number of incursions continue to rise across Europe. Then we do a deep dive into the future of modern warfare and defence procurement following a new long read by the former Secretary of the US Army and The Telegraph’s exclusive interview with Ukraine’s Drone Chief, Robert ‘Magyar’ Brovdi.

Contributors:

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

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Antonia Langford (Freelance Journalist in Kyiv). @Antonialford on X

Producer: Rachel Porter

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:

RAND paper: Tomorrow's Victory and the Army of the Future: Forecasting the Next Steps in Ukraine's Military Evolution

https://www.rand.org/pubs/commentary/2026/09/tomorrows-victory-and-the-army-of-the-future.html?project=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=1789510664&utm_medium=rand_social&utm_source=twitter

Russia attacks scientists in strikes on Kyiv (Antonia Langford for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/28/russia-attacks-scientists-kyiv-national-academy-fire/

Rewiring the Arsenal of Democracy (Dan Driscoll for Foreign Affairs)

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/rewiring-arsenal-democracy-war-dan-driscoll

Frontline Club Event with the Kyiv Independent on 1st October (Francis Dearnley moderating):

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/panel-discussion-ukraine-inside-their-war-tickets-2000033706656?aff=oddtdtcreator

The Kyiv Independent Live in London on 2 October:

https://tickets.kyivindependent.com/events/thekyivindependentlive/2281999/r/frontline

David Knowles’s episode dedicated to Babyn Yar:

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/gas-shortages-finally-hit-moscow-as-kyiv-intensifies/id1612424182?i=1000728581605

If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at [email protected]

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on [email protected]. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Scientists cling to burning building after Russian raid
• Ukraine's Operation Vivaldi liberates occupied villages

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