This week discussing the latest from Ukraine, Patrick Bishop and Saul David examine the ongoing, costly Battle for Pokrovsk, arguing that Russia's fixation on capturing cities continues to highlight strategic incompetence and desperation—a point underscored by the recent crackdown on pro-war milbloggers. They also dissect the "unprecedented act of sabotage" on the Polish rail network, a critical aid route to Ukraine. Is Russia's increasingly reckless hybrid warfare campaign—including recent naval and drone provocations—a sign of fundamental weakness or a dangerous attempt to destabilise NATO's border states? Finally, the hosts scrutinise reports of a secret US-Russian peace plan that allegedly requires Ukraine to make major concessions, including ceding land and limiting its military. Plus, an interview with director Benjamin Goldhagen about his documentary, The Steel Porcupine, which puts the conflict and the Ukrainian will to resist into essential context. If you'd like to watch the documentary film you can find it online here: https://www.thesteelporcupine.com/ If you have any thoughts or questions, you can send them to - podbattleground@gmail.com Producer: James Hodgson X (Twitter): @PodBattleground Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices