Russians panic over 'new Operation Spiderweb’ & Trump abandons three-way talks with Putin and Zelensky

Day 1,262.

Today, as deadline day begins, we discuss how plans for a trilateral summit of Trump, Zelensky, and Putin are already in jeopardy, and assess how the new tariffs on India are already impacting Russia’s increasingly precarious economy. We also cover reports of a new attack similar to Operation Spiderweb, and we do a deep dive into the history of Ukrainian chess, playing an International Master.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.

With thanks to Malcolm Pein (Chess Correspondent). @TelegraphChess on X.

Content Referenced:

Chess in Schools and Communities (CSC)

https://www.chessinschools.co.uk/

Our Black Sea Video Dispatch:

Video -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2YjuuQz414 

Audio - 

https://shorturl.at/D8ibR

Trump abandons plans for three-way talks with Putin and Zelensky (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/08/07/ukraine-russia-putin-trump-zelensky/ 

Russia's budget deficit hits $61 billion, surpassing annual target by 30% (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/russias-budget-deficit-hits-61-billion/ 

Russian football clubs given €10.8m in Uefa ‘solidarity’ funds since Ukraine invasion (The Guardian):

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/08/uefa-paid-russian-football-clubs-solidarity-funds-invasion-ukraine

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Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers.

NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES:

The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them. Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatest

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