Ukraine strikes Russia's Baltic ports after largest air assault of the war

Mar 25, 2026

Steve Crawshaw, author and former Human Rights Watch director who focuses on international justice and war crimes. He discusses Ukrainian strikes on Russian Baltic ports and the recent massive daytime Russian air assault. He also recounts behind‑the‑scenes Florida talks and traces how Nuremberg shaped modern international law and efforts to hold leaders to account.

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INSIGHT

Ukraine Says US Keeps Returning To Donbass Withdrawal

Ukrainian negotiators feel US talks keep circling back to Donbass withdrawal tied to prior Anchorage understandings.
Ukrainska Pravda sources reported US wording like 'get out of Donbass and we'll build you a paradise,' frustrating Kyiv.

ANECDOTE

Kharkiv Trial Site Damaged By New Shelling

Steve Crawshaw visited Kharkiv and noted the 1943 trial site had itself been damaged by Russian shelling.
He contrasted historical war‑crime prosecutions in Kharkiv with current damage to the same opera house and courtroom.

INSIGHT

Hague Courts Showing New Assertiveness

The ICC and ICJ have grown bolder; the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Putin despite expectations it couldn't.
This marks increased institutional confidence and provoked intense political backlash from powerful states.

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Day 1,490.

Today, as Ukraine suffers the largest wave of Russian attacks of the entire war – including a rare daytime aerial assault across much of the country – we examine the scale and impact of the bombardment. We also report on Ukrainian drone strikes targeting Russia’s Baltic ports, with some drones reportedly reaching Estonia and Latvia. Then we reveal behind-the-scenes details of talks in Florida between Ukrainian and American officials, as the first investment linked to the US-Ukraine minerals deal becomes public. And later, we explore the evolution of international law since the Nuremberg Trials and how it underpins the post–World War II security architecture, in conversation with a former director of Human Rights Watch.

Contributors:

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

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

With thanks to journalist and author Steve Crawshaw.

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:

Steve Crawshaw’s book – Prosecuting the Powerful: War Crimes and the Battle for Justice:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Prosecuting-Powerful-Crimes-Battle-Justice/dp/0349128952/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0

Russia bombards Ukraine with largest daytime attack (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/03/24/wave-of-russian-strikes-kill-five-in-ukraine/

Ukrainian Institute of London’s Language School:

Spring-Summer Term info: https://uil.org.uk/language-school/

Intensive Course booking: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/ukrainianinstitutelondon/2125172

Registration form: https://forms.gle/hdeuf36UxxrJpUKe9

EMAIL US:

Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk . We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many on air and in our newsletter as possible.

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