Zelensky's Gulf tour and 10-year defence pacts

Day 1,495.

Today, as the full extent of the damage from Ukrainian strikes in the Baltic region becomes clearer, we assess the impact on Russia’s oil infrastructure and the wider war economy. We also examine stalled offensives on the ground, with both Russian and Ukrainian forces struggling to make significant gains along the frontline. Then we turn to President Zelensky’s “Gulf Grand Tour”, as he signs defence agreements with Gulf states seeking Ukrainian assistance against Iranian drone threats as Moscow is accused of helping Tehran to destroy one of its most valuable aircraft. And later, we look at a row in Germany after a major defence company claimed Ukrainian drones were “built by housewives”, and ask whether a European Union member state such as Hungary could lose its voting rights amid growing pressure to unlock a €90 billion loan for Kyiv.

Contributors:

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

Adelie Pojzman-Pontay (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @Adeliepjz on X.

James Rothwell (Berlin Correspondent). @JamesERothwell on X.

Joe Barnes (Brussels Correspondent). @Barnes_Joe on X.

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:

Francis’s Documentary on Hungary, Russia, and Ukraine:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIILzKnFs2o 

Zelensky looks to Gulf to protect him from Putin (Joe Barnes in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/03/29/zelensky-needs-patriot-missiles-answer-in-gulf/ 

Orban on the brink – but his rival may spring a surprise on the EU (James Crisp in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/03/29/eu-viktor-orban-hungary-election/ 

How Iran destroyed US base’s $500m battlefield nerve centre (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/03/29/how-iran-destroyed-500m-battlefield-nerve-centre-at-us-base/ 

Hungarian Journalist Faces Spy Charges After Reports on Election Meddling (New York Times):

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/26/world/europe/hungary-journalist-election-meddling-espionage.html 

Russians dubious as bomb shelters appear 1,000km from Ukraine (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/russia-building-bomb-shelters-1-000-km-from-border-as-ukraines-strike-reach-grows/?mc_cid=6c83d4505d&mc_eid=08d0680a95 

Russian losses in the war with Ukraine: updated (Mediazona and BBC):

https://en.zona.media/article/2026/03/27/casualties_eng-trl 

EMAIL US:

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