<![CDATA[Phillips’s Newsletter: Ukraine Russia War Talk]]>https://phillipspobrien.substack.com/s/ukraine-updates-with-phil-and-mykolahttps://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!EfJL!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fphillipspobrien.substack.com%2Fimg%2Fsubstack.pngPhillips’s Newsletter: Ukraine Russia War Talkhttps://phillipspobrien.substack.com/s/ukraine-updates-with-phil-and-mykolaSubstackTue, 21 Apr 2026 16:37:31 GMT<![CDATA[Episode 29. We Are Back: The Situation On The Battlefield In Ukraine and The Strategic Air War]]>https://phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/episode-29-we-are-back-the-situationhttps://phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/episode-29-we-are-back-the-situationFri, 05 Sep 2025 04:59:33 GMTHi Everyone,

Phillips O'Brien and Mykola Bielieskov are back with another instalment of the Ukraine-Russia War Talk podcast. Its been a while, so we start with a detailed survey of the battlefield. Mykola has spent some time visiting brigades at the front and has first hand knowledge of the situation.

Then we discuss the strategic air war on both sides--Russian attacks against Ukrainian cities and Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries in particular.

As always, this episode is free and without commercials. If you would like to make a donation, we suggest the excellent Ukrainian charity, Come Back Alive.
https://savelife.in.ua/en/

Edited by Zofia Guertin
Produced by Phillips O'Brien

Subscribe now

]]><![CDATA[Episode 28: Drones and Defensive War; Is Trump Pivoting To Help Ukraine?]]>https://phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/drones-and-defensive-war-is-trumphttps://phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/drones-and-defensive-war-is-trumpThu, 08 May 2025 08:50:40 GMTHi All, Phillips and Mykola are back with their latest episode. We start with a detailed discussion of how the tactical war at the front has evolved, in particular with the growth of drones as a weapon of war. We discuss how this has hampered movement and logistics, and what that means for how Ukraine is fighting.

We then discuss the geopolitical situation with the war--with a sceptical eye towards the claims that Trump is pivoting towards Ukraine.

As always, this episode is free and without commercials. If you would like to make a donation, we suggest the excellent Ukrainian charity, Come Back Alive.
https://savelife.in.ua/en/

Edited by Zofia Guertin
Produced by Phillips O'Brien

]]><![CDATA[Episode 27. The Battlefield, Trump, Europe and Ukraine]]>https://phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/episode-27-the-battlefield-trumphttps://phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/episode-27-the-battlefield-trumpMon, 07 Apr 2025 05:51:49 GMTHi All, Phillips and Mykola are back with the latest episode. We start with a detailed discussion of what is going on in the battlefield, from Kursk to the Donbas. We then move into geopolitics and discuss both how Donald Trump is changing the war and then how European states are or are not changing enough to counteract this.

As always, this episode is free and without commercials. If you would like to make a donation, we suggest the excellent Ukrainian charity, Come Back Alive.
https://savelife.in.ua/en/

Edited by Zofia Guertin
Produced by Phillips O'Brien

]]><![CDATA[Episode 26. Trump Cannot Be Trusted and What That Means: The State of the War]]>https://phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/episode-26-trump-cannot-be-trustedhttps://phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/episode-26-trump-cannot-be-trustedSun, 02 Mar 2025 05:29:02 GMTHello All, Mykola and Phillips are back with the latest episode of the Ukraine-Russia War Talk Podcast. We start with a detailed discussion of what Trump aligning so closely with Putin means for Ukraine and the war. Even though this was recorded right before Trump ambushed Zelensky in the Oval Office, we have no illusions that Trump was to be trusted.

Also, we discuss the state of the war, how Ukraine has slowed Russian advances a great deal and how the "collapse" narratives of 2024 were nonsense.

As always, this episode is free and without commercials. If you would like to make a donation, we suggest the excellent Ukrainian charity, Come Back Alive.
https://savelife.in.ua/en/

Edited by Zofia Guertin
Produced by Phillips O'Brien

]]><![CDATA[Episode 25. Trump and Ukraine, The Battlefield, Ranged Strike]]>https://phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/episode-25-trump-and-ukraine-thehttps://phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/episode-25-trump-and-ukraine-theMon, 03 Feb 2025 05:35:10 GMTHi All, Mykola Bielieskov and I are back with another episode of the Ukraine-Russia War Talk Podcast. Belated apologies its taken so long! We start with a discussion about what the new Trump administration means for Ukraine and the war. We then move on to discuss the state of the war in the Donbas and Kursk. We end with an overview of Ukraine's ranged strike campaign against Russian oil production.

As always, this episode is free and without commercials. If you would like to make a donation, we suggest the excellent Ukrainian charity, Come Back Alive.
https://savelife.in.ua/en/

Edited by Zofia Guertin
Produced by Phillips O'Brien

]]><![CDATA[Episode 24. False Narratives, Conscription, Ranged Fire]]>https://phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/episode-24-false-narratives-conscriptionhttps://phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/episode-24-false-narratives-conscriptionMon, 09 Dec 2024 06:18:02 GMTHi All, Phillips and Mykola are back with a discussion of the war with a Ukrainian slant. We cover three main issues here. First we run through the situation on the battlefield, and try to put the ongoing discussion of a Ukrainian "collapse" in perspective. Then we discuss Ukraine and Russia and the difficulty of generating new forces--and touch upon the tricky question of conscription. Finally, we discuss Ukraine being given very limited ability to strike Russian military targets in Russia with US equipment.

As always, this episode is free and without commercials. If you would like to make a donation, we suggest the excellent Ukrainian charity, Come Back Alive.
https://savelife.in.ua/en/

Edited by Zofia Guertin
Produced by Phillips O'Brien

]]><![CDATA[Episode 23: Trump is Back and What it might Mean]]>https://phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/episode-23-trump-is-back-and-whathttps://phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/episode-23-trump-is-back-and-whatSat, 16 Nov 2024 07:14:36 GMTHello everyone, Phillips and Mykola are back with their latest episode of the Ukraine-Russia War Talk Podcast. The big story is obviously the election of Donald Trump. To set up the discussion of this, we first discuss the situation on the battlefield, then Trump and what his election might mean. Finally, we segway into a discussion of the different victory or "peace" plans being mentioned these days.

As always, this episode is free and without commercials. If you would like to make a donation, we suggest the excellent Ukrainian charity, Come Back Alive.
https://savelife.in.ua/en/

Edited by Zofia Guertin
Produced by Phillips O'Brien

]]><![CDATA[Episode 22. The Front Line, The Ukrainian Victory Plan, North Korean Troops Arrive]]>https://phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/episode-22-the-front-line-the-ukrainianhttps://phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/episode-22-the-front-line-the-ukrainianSat, 02 Nov 2024 08:26:28 GMTHi All,

After a little break because of different travel schedules, Phillips and Mykola are back with the latest episode of the Ukraine-Russia War Talk podcast. We have lots to catch up on. 

We start with the situation on the battlefield, then switch to the Ukrainian Victory Strategy, and finally discuss the arrival of North Korean troops to fight for Russia. We wont have such a long-break again. Promise!

As always, this episode is free and without commercials. If you would like to make a donation, we suggest the excellent Ukrainian charity, Come Back Alive.
https://savelife.in.ua/en/

Edited by Zofia Guertin
Produced by Phillips O'Brien

]]><![CDATA[Episode 21: Donbas and Kursk]]>https://phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/episode-21-donbas-and-kurskhttps://phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/episode-21-donbas-and-kurskFri, 06 Sep 2024 03:35:47 GMTHello All, Phillips and Mykola and back with our latest episode. 

We start with a detailed discussion of what is happening on the battlefield. We move first from the Donbas and then to the Ukrainian offensive into Kursk.

Then we go into Ukrainian and US politics. We discuss the changes that President Zelensky is making in the Ukrainian government and how Ukraine is figuring in the US presidential race.

As always, this episode is free and without commercials. If you would like to make a donation, we suggest the excellent Ukrainian charity, Come Back Alive.
https://savelife.in.ua/en/

Edited by Zofia Guertin
Produced by Phillips O'Brien

]]><![CDATA[Special Episode: Interview with Shaun Pinner: Part 2]]>https://phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/special-episode-interview-with-shaun-019https://phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/special-episode-interview-with-shaun-019Sat, 24 Aug 2024 08:02:48 GMTThis is part 2 of a special episode of Ukraine Russia War Talk. In it, Phil interviews Shaun Pinner. Shaun served as a Ukrainian Marine for years and is married to and lives in Ukraine. He fought from the start of the Russian Full-Scale Invasion and was one of those Ukrainian troops who was surrounded and then captured by the Russians in the ruins of Mariupol.

We discuss his experiences in the Ukrainian military, what is was like to be a Russian POW, what life is like in Ukraine today, and his views on the war. 

As always, this episode is free and without commercials. If you would like to make a donation, we suggest the excellent Ukrainian charity, Come Back Alive.
https://savelife.in.ua/en/

Edited by Zofia Guertin
Produced by Phillips O'Brien

]]><![CDATA[Special Episode: Interview with Shaun Pinner: Part 1]]>https://phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/special-episode-interview-with-shaunhttps://phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/special-episode-interview-with-shaunSat, 24 Aug 2024 07:52:35 GMTThis is part 1 of a special episode of Ukraine Russia War Talk. In it, Phil interviews Shaun Pinner. Shaun served as a Ukrainian Marine for years and is married to and lives in Ukraine. He fought from the start of the Russian Full-Scale Invasion and was one of those Ukrainian troops who was surrounded and then captured by the Russians in the ruins of Mariupol.

We discuss his experiences in the Ukrainian military, what is was like to be a Russian POW, what life is like in Ukraine today, and his views on the war. 

Note: Part 2 is available directly through the Substack. I didnt want to bombard people with two emails—but its there.

As always, this episode is free and without commercials. If you would like to make a donation, we suggest the excellent Ukrainian charity, Come Back Alive.
https://savelife.in.ua/en/

Edited by Zofia Guertin
Produced by Phillips O'Brien

]]><![CDATA[Episode 20: The Ukrainian Kursk Offensive]]>https://phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/episode-20-the-ukrainian-kursk-offensivehttps://phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/episode-20-the-ukrainian-kursk-offensiveSat, 10 Aug 2024 16:39:06 GMTHello All, Phillips and Mykola and back with our latest episode. The biggest story of the last few days was definitely the Ukrainian offensive into Russia. We discuss the latest news and what we think is important about it. We also compare it to the doom-laden analysis that much of the press has had about the Donbas.

Also, we follow that with some reflections on the ongoing Ukrainian ranged campaign against Russian airfields, and the arrival of F-16s and their employment into combat. Hope you enjoy.

As always, this episode is free and without commercials. If you would like to make a donation, we suggest the excellent Ukrainian charity, Come Back Alive.
https://savelife.in.ua/en/

Edited by Zofia Guertin
Produced by Phillips O'Brien

]]><![CDATA[Episode 19: A Battlefield Roundup and Ukrainian Strategy Going Forward]]>https://phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/episode-19-a-battlefield-rounduphttps://phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/episode-19-a-battlefield-roundupFri, 19 Jul 2024 21:02:27 GMTHello All, Phil and Mykola are back with the latest episode of Ukraine-Russia War Talk. We discuss the battlefield situation in depth, with analysis of what Ukrainian and Russian strategy seems to be now and going forward.

Then we discuss the Washington NATO Summit, which was a very modest improvement on last year's Vilnius Summit. Then we end with a discussion of US politics and what it might mean for Ukraine,

As always, this episode is free and without commercials. If you would like to make a donation, we suggest the excellent Ukrainian charity, Come Back Alive.
https://savelife.in.ua/en/

Edited by Zofia Guertin
Produced by Phillips O'Brien

]]><![CDATA[Episode 18: Ukraine and NATO: The Situation at the Front]]>https://phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/episode-18-ukraine-and-nato-the-situationhttps://phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/episode-18-ukraine-and-nato-the-situationThu, 04 Jul 2024 16:32:18 GMTHello All, Phillips and Mykola are back with the latest episode. We start with a discussion of the upcoming NATO summit, and our frustration with the dithering about Ukrainian membership. Then we talk about the US presidential crisis and how it might effect Ukraine. Finally a survey of what is happening at the front line (plus a little rant at the end).

As always, this episode is free and without commercials. If you would like to make a donation, we suggest the excellent Ukrainian charity, Come Back Alive.
https://savelife.in.ua/en/

Edited by Zofia Guertin
Produced by Phillips O'Brien

]]><![CDATA[Episode 17: Mykola Meets With Ukrainian Intelligence]]>https://phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/episode-17-mykola-meets-with-ukrainianhttps://phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/episode-17-mykola-meets-with-ukrainianThu, 20 Jun 2024 19:26:24 GMTHi All. latest episode from Mykola and Phil. We start this one with a description (within limits) of Mykola's experience attending a briefing session with Ukrainian intelligence. Then we discuss the situation on the front line, particularly the Donbas and the Russian Kharkiv Offensive. Finally some (not terribly enthusiastic) discussion of the recent security agreements that have been offered to Ukraine.

As always, this episode is free and without commercials. If you would like to make a donation, we suggest the excellent Ukrainian charity, Come Back Alive.
https://savelife.in.ua/en/

Edited by Zofia Guertin
Produced by Phillips O'Brien

]]><![CDATA[Episode 16: The Biden Administration Allows Ukraine to Attack Into Russia (Finally)]]>https://phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/episode-16-the-biden-administrationhttps://phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/episode-16-the-biden-administrationSun, 02 Jun 2024 09:48:54 GMTHi all,

Mykola and Phillips are back with their latest Ukraine-Russia War Talk Podcast. We go into detail about the big story of the week, the decision by the Biden Administration to allow Ukraine (to a limited degree) to fire into Russia. We discuss how its taken so long, what it might do, and Ukrainian opinion on the matter.

Then we discuss Ukrainian strategy going forward in the war, and in particular this article by Mykola, in which he lays out one.

As always, this episode is free and without commercials. If you would like to make a donation, we suggest the excellent Ukrainian charity, Come Back Alive.
https://savelife.in.ua/en/

Edited by Zofia Guertin

]]><![CDATA[Episode 15: The Russian Kharkiv Offensive]]>https://phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/episode-15-the-russian-kharkiv-offensivehttps://phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/episode-15-the-russian-kharkiv-offensiveWed, 22 May 2024 12:34:36 GMTHello All,

Mykola and I are back with the latest episode of the Ukraine-Russia War Talk Podcast.

We start by discussing the developments since May 10, when the Russian offensive towards Kharkiv commenced. We then move into the ranged campaign with Ukrainian attacks in Crimea and against Russian oil refineries. We also delve into (rather angrily) the US policy of forbidding Ukraine from using US-made systems to attack military targets in Russia. This is making the war longer, bloodier and more difficult for Ukraine.

As always, this episode is free and without commercials. If you would like to make a donation, we suggest the excellent Ukrainian charity, Come Back Alive.
https://savelife.in.ua/en/

Edited by Zofia Guertin
Produced by Phillips O'Brien

]]><![CDATA[Episode 14:The Situation on the Front Line]]>https://phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/episode-14the-situation-on-the-fronthttps://phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/episode-14the-situation-on-the-frontFri, 03 May 2024 04:02:42 GMTHello All, Mykola and Phil are back with the latest episode. In it we delve into the situation on the front line. There has been some amazingly pessimistic reporting from the front line over the last few weeks, and we try to put what is happening into perspective. The Russians are showing, even with massive fire advantage, the ability to make only small advances.

Finally, we talk about the resumption of US aid, and how Ukraine might use ATACMS in the coming months.

As always, this episode is free and without commercials. If you would like to make a donation, we suggest the excellent Ukrainian charity, Come Back Alive.
https://savelife.in.ua/en/

]]><![CDATA[Episode 13: US Aid is (finally) about to be approved.]]>https://phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/episode-13-us-aid-is-finally-abouthttps://phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/episode-13-us-aid-is-finally-aboutSat, 20 Apr 2024 10:25:41 GMTHello all, a week later than normal, Phillips and Mykola are back with our latest episode. It was all my fault (Phil’s) as I was travelling. However, at least we can reappear with some good news. For the first time in months, (seems US aid is on the brink of being approved.  We talk about what this means for Ukraine, and what the many months without aid have done. We then discuss the situation on the battlefield and the continuation of Ukraine's growing ranged campaign against Russia--this time with ATACMs seemingly used on targets in Crimea.

As always, this episode is free and without commercials. If you would like to make a donation, we suggest the excellent Ukrainian charity, Come Back Alive.
https://savelife.in.ua/en/

]]><![CDATA[Episode 12: Ukraine's Strategic Air War--which the US wants to stop]]>https://phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/episode-12-ukraines-strategic-airhttps://phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/episode-12-ukraines-strategic-airSat, 30 Mar 2024 07:42:51 GMTHi Everyone,

Mykola and Phillips are back with another instalment of the Ukraine-Russia War Talk Podcast. This episode starts with a detailed discussion of the Ukrainian strategic air campaign, particularly against Russian fuel. We then segway into a discussion of the US government (bizarrely) asking Ukraine to stop it. 

Then we move into a discussion of more changes at the top of the Ukrainian national security tree. President Zelensky has made some major changes recently.

Finally an overview of the fighting on the battlefield. Despite some widespread discussions of doom--Ukraine is holding better than many expected.

As always, this episode is free and without commercials. If you would like to make a donation, we suggest the excellent Ukrainian charity, Come Back Alive.
https://savelife.in.ua/en/

Edited by Zofia Guertin
Produced by Phillips O'Brien

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