Exclusive: Drone warfare makes us long for the trenches, say frontline soldiers

Day 1,669. Today, the Red Cross says 275,000 people have been registered as missing in connection with Russia’s war against Ukraine. We return to the United Nations in New York, where Presidents Trump and Zelensky met to discuss an energy truce and bringing the war to an end, as UK prime minister Andy Burnham offered his support. Then, we hear the perspectives of some soldiers on the frontlines, and why some long for the days of trench warfare, from reporter Colin Freeman who recently returned from Ukraine. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X. Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X. Colin Freeman (Freelance reporter). @colinfreeman99 on X. 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: David Knowles Fundraiser for KHARPP: https://www.zeffy.com/en-GB/donation-form/fundraiser-for-kharpp-in-memory-of-david-knowles 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 Colin Freeman's Book on the International Legion: https://amzn.eu/d/0cqiSDDD Ukraine open to grain truce with Russia, deputy PM says (Politico) https://www.politico.eu/article/ukraine-open-to-grain-truce-with-russia-deputy-pm-vsevolod-chentsov-says/ Ukraine veterans yearn for return to trench warfare (Colin Freeman for The Telegraph) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/09/21/ukraine-veterans-yearn-for-days-of-meat-wave-war/ Dom’s interview with Valerie Stobbart, mother of Nathan Stobbart who went missing while fighting for Russia: On Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/ukraine-the-latest/id1612424182?i=1000789807562 On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/34xFLINgowRYMKp3AJ9BmX?si=479d9d97182b4251 On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53m2ZP3xm6A 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: Drone warfare makes us long for the trenches, say frontline soldiers 275,000 people reported missing in connection with the war Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.