Putin pledges ‘unwavering support’ to Iran’s new supreme leader & leaked video shows Russian president have coughing fit

Day 1,474.

Today, as Ukrainian counter-drone specialists head to the Middle East to help counter Iranian drone attacks, Vladimir Putin offers “unwavering support” to Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei – a pledge that may come with significant conditions. We examine Russia’s latest mass aerial attack on Ukraine following a pause that raised questions about Moscow’s dependence on Tehran, then report on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico’s warning that Slovakia could follow Hungary in blocking EU funding for Ukraine if Hungary’s Viktor Orbán loses the upcoming election. And later, we bring you highlights from a panel at the Black Sea Security Forum in Odesa discussing misinformation, defence innovation, and the flexibility of the defence industrial sector.

Contributors:

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

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

With thanks to Roman Pohorilyi, co-founder of DeepState, Kurt Volker, former US Ambassador to NATO, and the Black Sea Security Forum.

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/channel/UCdHjleMvPSs-JEjiQ8_D2cA

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Vlad the inhaler: Putin coughing fit shown in leaked video (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/03/08/vladimir-putin-coughing-video-leaked/

On the Road With Zelensky, Weathered, Weary and Fighting On (New York Times):

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/09/world/europe/ukraine-zelensky-frontline-tour.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share

Ukraine just hit the fuel tank that feeds southern Russia’s pipeline — here’s why this strike hurts more than a refinery fire (Euromaidan):

https://euromaidanpress.com/2026/03/08/ukraine-just-hit-the-fuel-tank-that-feeds-southern-russias-pipeline-heres-why-this-strike-hurts-more-than-a-refinery-fire/

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

Our weekly newsletter includes maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons, answers your questions, provides recommended reading, and gives exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights.. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers. Join here – http://telegraph.co.uk/ukrainenewsletter

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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.