399. Is This the Beginning of the End?

399. Is This the Beginning of the End?

From Battleground by Goalhanger

May 14, 2026 · 45 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the potential turning point in the conflict involving Russia and Ukraine, examining military strategies and political implications.

In this week’s episode, Saul David and Patrick Bishop explore whether the tide has finally turned in the four-year conflict. Following a series of strategic and symbolic blows to the Kremlin, the team asks: Are we witnessing the beginning of the end for Vladimir Putin’s "Special Military Operation"? The Humiliation of Red Square: We break down Putin’s "feeble" May 9th Victory Parade. From the bizarre request for a two-day truce to the total absence of tanks and modern hardware, what does this scaled-back spectacle reveal about the current state of the Russian military? The Drone Revolution: Ukraine’s "mid-range" dominance is changing the math on the front lines. We look at how AI-integrated drones and Starlink are bypassing Russian EW systems to strike deep into logistics hubs, specifically targeting the vital H-20 highway. Cracks in the Kremlin: With reports of a shrinking Russian economy and Putin’s increasing reliance on bunkers and bodyguards, we discuss the rumours of internal paranoia and a potential coup. The Road to Istanbul: For the first time since 2019, a face-to-face meeting between Zelensky and Putin looks possible. Encouraged by Donald Trump and facilitated by…

People in this episode

Hosts: Saul David, Patrick Bishop

Topics covered

  • Russian military
  • Ukrainian conflict
  • Putin's leadership
  • drone warfare
  • political corruption
  • international diplomacy

Keywords

  • Putin
  • Ukraine
  • drone revolution
  • Kremlin
  • Zelensky
  • corruption scandal
  • Victory Parade
  • H-20 highway

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Kremlin, Starlink

Places: Red Square, Turkey, Ukraine, H-20 highway

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