Putin's troops abandon positions as supply lines 'at breaking point' & Russian commander 'assassinated by car bomb'

Day 1,565.

As Russian forces reportedly withdraw from part of the southern Ukrainian frontline amid mounting supply problems, Francis and Dom examine claims that logistics networks in the sector are approaching breaking point. Dom reports on a huge explosion in Russia’s Belgorod region and a car bomb in Moscow Oblast, as the war’s effects continue to be felt far beyond the battlefield. Then they assess the EU’s proposed 21st sanctions package, including plans to ban Russian military personnel from entering the bloc, and consider what a two-tier Europe – allowing some countries affiliate membership without full participation in all EU structures – would mean. Later, Ruben Stewart of the International Institute for Strategic Studies explores what a war between NATO and Russia might look like if the US were to withdraw from the alliance.

Contributors:

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

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

With thanks to Ruben Stewart, Senior Fellow for Land Warfare at the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

Producer: Phil Atkins

Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett

Video Producer: James England

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:

Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, June 8, 2026 (Institute for the Study of War)

https://understandingwar.org/research/russia-ukraine/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-june-8-2026/

The Ukrainian weapons boom catching Putin off guard (Verity Bowman for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/09/ukrainian-weapons-boom-catching-putin-off-guard/ 

Zelensky invites King to Ukraine for state visit (Ruby Cline for The Telegraph)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/06/09/ukrainian-president-zelensky-state-visit-king-charles/ 

Read the Irish Times’ coverage of the Aughinish Alumina story: https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/aughinish-alumina/ 

Berlin declares Franco-German fighter jet project dead in blow to Macron (Politico)

https://www.politico.eu/article/berlin-declares-france-germany-next-gen-fighter-jet-project-dead/ 

Prosecute Orbán’s inner circle over ‘stolen’ billions, Hungary’s anti-corruption watchdog says (Politico)

https://www.politico.eu/article/hungary-watchdog-urges-probe-viktor-orban-officials-over-missing-eu-funds/ 

EU quota system ‘could kill Ukrainian steel industry’, boss says (The Guardian)

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/jun/09/eu-quota-ukrainian-steel-industry-metinvest 

Ukrainian Drones Now Autonomously Down Shaheds (Kyiv Post)

https://www.kyivpost.com/post/77764

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HIGHLIGHTS:

• Putin's troops abandon positions as supply lines 'at breaking point' 
• Russian commander 'assassinated by car bomb'

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