Ukrainecast

What do kids want to know about the war in Ukraine? On this special edition of Ukrainecast, we’re teaming up with Newsround (the BBC's children's news programme) to find out. To mark World Children’s Day, we took a panel of BBC experts to Hammersmith Academy, a secondary school in London, to respond to questions from a live audience.Victoria Derbyshire and Vitaly Shevchenko are joined on this episode by Newsround presenter Ricky Boleto, and Ukraine correspondent James Waterhouse. Why did the war start? Are there really any safe places in Ukraine? And who is working towards making peace? They answer all that, and we hear from some of those Ukrainian children who have been forced to start a new life in the UK.The producers were Laurie Kalus and Lauren Parker. The executive producer was Lewis Vickers. The series producer is Chris Flynn. The Newsround editor is Lewis James. The News Podcasts editor is Sam Bonham.If young listeners found any parts of this episode upsetting, you can find advice and support on the Newsround website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsroundThis programme is also available as a visualised episode, on iPlayer in the UK, and worldwide on the BBC News YouTube channel.Email Ukrainecast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments. You can also send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram to +44 330 1239480

Ukraine has been rocked by a major corruption scandal surrounding the country's energy sector, amidst ongoing Russian attacks on electricity infrastructure. An alleged $100m scheme, involving money laundering and kick backs, has led to the resignation of senior ministers and engulfed prominent allies of Volodymyr Zelensky. But despite the president's public backing of the probe, questions are being asked about what government officials knew, just months after mass protests against controversial attempts to curb the independence of state anti-corruption bodies.This week, Lucy and Vitaly are joined by Ukraine correspondent James Waterhouse, and BBC Verify's Olga Robinson. They discuss the fallout from the fifteen-month investigation, and answer all of your questions. Could we see a western-backed referendum in the occupied territories? Will Ukraine reduce the age of conscription? And how much do Russia and the US cooperate beyond headline diplomacy?Today’s episode is presented by Lucy Hockings and Vitaly Shevchenko.The producers were Laurie Kalus and Julia Webster. The technical producer was Ben Andrews. The executive producer was Lewis Vickers. The series producer is Chris Flynn. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham. Email Ukrainecast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments. You can also send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram to +44 330 1239480You can join the Ukrainecast discussion on Newscast’s Discord server here: tinyurl.com/ukrainecastdiscord

While Russia makes advances on the strategic city of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine, Western sanctions on Russian oil have begun to impact how some countries source their energy. And as Ukraine continues to ask its allies for more money and weapons, some are left wondering what’s happening with the frozen Russian assets in held in Belgium.Plus, why doesn’t Ukraine obtain nuclear weapons? And what would happen if the country ran out of people who are willing to fight?To answer those questions and more, Lucy is joined by diplomatic correspondent James Landale in Kyiv, Europe digital editor Paul Kirby and senior digital journalist Laura Gozzi.Today’s episode is presented by Lucy Hockings. The producers were Julia Webster, Laurie Kalus, and Rufus Gray. The technical producer was Ben Andrews. The social producer was Grace Braddock. The series producer is Chris Flynn. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham. Email Ukrainecast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments. You can also send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram to +44 330 1239480You can join the Ukrainecast discussion on Newscast’s Discord server here: tinyurl.com/ukrainecastdiscord

After an EU decision to use frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine was postponed until December, discussion among European leaders returned to plans for a ceasefire this week. And the latest example of so-called nuclear 'sabre-rattling' by Vladimir Putin, forced Donald Trump to respond with a vague commitment of his own to resume US nuclear testing for the first time in decades.On this edition of Ukrainecast, Jamie and Vitaly are joined by BBC Verify's Olga Robinson and senior digital journalist Laura Gozzi, to answer your questions. Could Denmark and Sweden police the Baltic Sea? What happened to the Russian dam targeted by Ukraine? And are Russians facing discrimination from authorities in Europe?Today’s episode is presented by Jamie Coomarasamy and Vitaly Shevchenko. The producers were Julia Webster and Laurie Kalus. The technical producers were James Piper and Mike Regaard. The social producer was Sophie Millward. The series producer is Chris Flynn. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham. Email Ukrainecast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments. You can also send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram to +44 330 1239480You can join the Ukrainecast discussion on Newscast’s Discord server here: tinyurl.com/ukrainecastdiscord

In the last week, Volodymyr Zelensky failed to secure long-range Tomahawk missiles from Donald Trump during a reportendly heated meeting. Then, a planned summit in Budapest between the US and Russian presidents was called off by Trump who said it would have been a ‘waste of time’.But, the White House has now increased the pressure on the Kremlin announcing sanctions on Russia’s two largest oil companies, a first for the Trump administration since his return to office. But will these sanctions be enough to push Putin to the negotiating table? Or will the Kremlin see them as an escalation? And as European leaders join Zelensky in insisting that any talks on ending the war in Ukraine should start with freezing the current front line, how should we interpret the Ukrainian leader's language?To answer your questions, Lucy and Vitaly are joined by the BBC’s Europe Digital Editor Paul Kirby and senior digital journalist Laura Gozzi. The team also discuss the EU’s plan for using frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine and what, if anything, Ukraine is doing to combat propaganda within Russia.Today’s episode is presented by Lucy Hockings and Vitaly Shevchenko. The producers were Rufus Gray, Clare Williamson and Julia Webster. The technical producer was James Piper. The series producer is Chris Flynn. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham. Email Ukrainecast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments. You can also send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram to +44 330 1239480You can join the Ukrainecast discussion on Newscast’s Discord server here: tinyurl.com/ukrainecastdiscord

As Volodymyr Zelensky prepares to make his latest pitch to Donald Trump at the White House on Friday, the US is yet to announce a decision on the delivery of long range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine. Could Washington have given the green light behind the scenes already? Are Ukrainian claims of frontline counteroffensives being exaggerated? And which side is coming out on top when it comes to drone technology?To answer your questions, Lucy is joined by BBC Verify’s Olga Robinson and Mikey Kay from The Security Brief on the BBC news channel. The team also discuss Russian attacks on energy infrastructure, Nato military exercises and Halloween celebrations in Ukraine.Today’s episode is presented by Lucy Hockings.The producers were Laurie Kalus and Julia Webster. The technical producer was Jonny Baker. The social producer was Joe Wilkinson. The series producer is Chris Flynn. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.Email Ukrainecast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments. You can also send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram to +44 330 1239480You can join the Ukrainecast discussion on Newscast’s Discord server here: tinyurl.com/ukrainecastdiscord

How might Russia respond to the potential delivery of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine? What can Europe do to win round Hungary's Viktor Orbán? And what would a drone wall to protect Europe actually look like?To answer your questions, Jamie and Vitaly are joined by Ukraine correspondent James Waterhouse and BBC Verify's Olga Robinson. The team also discuss proxy wars, foreign troops and false flag operations.Today’s episode is presented by Jamie Coomarasamy and Vitaly Shevchenko. The producers were Laurie Kalus and Julia Webster. The technical producer was James Piper. The social producer was Sophie Millward. The executive producer is Lewis Vickers. The series producer is Chris Flynn. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham. Email Ukrainecast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments. You can also send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram to +44 330 1239480You can join the Ukrainecast discussion on Newscast’s Discord server here: tinyurl.com/ukrainecastdiscord

Is Ukraine seeing an exodus of young men? Why does Russia have veto power over UN resolutions? And would Moscow defend Minsk if Nato allies invoked Article 5 in response to an attack by Belarus?To answer your questions, Lucy Hockings is joined by senior digital journalist Laura Gozzi, and Ukraine correspondent James Waterhouse. The team also discuss US aid, China’s role in the conflict, and whether Vladimir Putin is grooming a successor for the top job in the Kremlin. Today’s episode is presented by Lucy Hockings. The producers were Laurie Kalus and Julia Webster. The technical producer was Philip Bull. The social producer was Sophie Millward. The executive producer was Lewis Vickers. The series producer is Chris Flynn. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham. Email Ukrainecast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments. You can also send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram to +44 330 1239480You can join the Ukrainecast discussion on Newscast’s Discord server here: tinyurl.com/ukrainecastdiscord