BFBS Sitrep

Boris Johnson has just done a new defence deal with India – which imports most of its military hardware from Russia and won’t condemn the invasion of Ukraine.BFBS Sitrep examines why India’s sitting on the fence over Europe’s biggest conflict since WW2, and asks why it’s worth the UK making this deal.Professor of Defence Studies Michael Clarke assesses whether the Ukraine conflict could be spreading to neighbouring Moldova.And the leader of Iraq’s new all-female de-mining team tells us how the death of her brother, in an explosion, drives her work.

The Ukraine war has moved into phase 2, but will it be a turning point for a Russian campaign that’s had no real success so far?Instead of trying to take the whole country at once, Moscow’s forces are now concentrated on taking the East.We’ll hear from close to the new 300 mile battlefront and explain why the Donbas region has always been at the very heart of this war.And Marine Le Pen is in touching distance of becoming France’s next president – but what would victory for the far right candidate mean for our defence and security?

From the size and location of massive Russian convoys, to the serial numbers of missiles used in strikes, we all have access to unprecedented detail of the Ukraine war.An army of amateur analysts are gathering, checking and sharing OSINT - Open Source Intelligence - which details the fight as it happens. One of them tells us how and why he does it.Finland and Sweden could be weeks away from applying for NATO membership – but would that be good for the alliance, or an extra burden?And we talk to the Falklands veteran who’s telling the story of that war in real time on Twitter.

By day Kyle Glen works an office job for a clinical research company.By night he gathers and analyses intelligence that can reveal the truth about wars around the world, and debunk fake news.Kyle is one of a growing army of amateur analysts working on OSINT (open-source intelligence) – which he shares on the @ConflictNews twitter account, and the OSINT Bunker podcast.In this extra edition of BFBS Sitrep he explains how it was OSINT that successfully warned the world of Russia’s plan to invade Ukraine, and tells Kate Gerbeau how and why he became an amateur intelligence analyst.

A catalogue of atrocities is emerging where Russian forces have withdrawn from parts of Ukraine. Film-maker Emile Ghessen tells us about the harrowing scenes he’s witnessed in Bucha.The evidence of war crimes appears compelling – mass graves, bodies of people whose hands have been tied lying in streets. But how do you prove who is responsible?A former war crimes prosecutor explains to us how investigators are already gathering evidence in the midst of conflict, and how social media could prove crucial.And 40 years since Britain’s task force sailed to retake the Falkland Islands a veteran journalist gives us an extraordinary insight into the Argentinian dictatorship that had invaded – a regime that nearly murdered him, then treated him as an honoured guest.

Julian Manyon experienced the start of the Falklands war from enemy territory.He’d been despatched to Argentina to report on the military dictatorship that had invaded a British overseas territory.First the regime kidnapped him at gunpoint – but hours later he was being treated as an honoured guest by the country’s leader, then wined and dined by top brass.He recounts his story, and his unique insights into Argentina’s leader, to Kate Gerbeau.

On this week’s Sitrep there’s been much talk of the weaknesses in the Russian Army, one of the reasons being suggested is their lack of a Non Commissioned Officer rank. We’ll hear from one well know former NCO in the British Army ‘Big’ Phil Campion and Russian military historian Chris BellamyAlso, what is it with Russians and alleged poisoning plots? With claims that individuals have recently been a victim of poisoning, we’ll talk to a chemical weapons expert Hamish De Bretton Gordon who’ll look at the history and effectiveness of poisoning.The US has been showing off its latest high tech aircraft. The Growler is designed The jets jam and destroy enemy air defence radar. We have a special report from Simon NewtonAn we’ll hear about a new and probably final home for the RAF’s ‘celebrity chinook’ Bravo November..

On this week’s Sitrep we delve into the minds of foreign fighters. What makes someone who’ served in the military or is just a civilian want to go and fight in a conflict overseas, such as Ukraine. We’ll hear from Emile Ghessen has met many of them, he was a Royal Marine but is now a documentary film maker and is in Kyiv.We’ll also be discussing war crimes….there have been a lot of allegations made against Russian forces, But, what actually constitutes a war crime and how easy are they to pursue? We’ll look again at the recent Defence Review…is it now out of date given the change of emphasis because of Ukraine?And…Exercise Halo Rise…showing off the Army’s use of information and cyber operations. A special report from Tim Cooper on the work of 6th United Kingdom Division.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine may be stalled, but it’s already reset Europe’s security thinking for decades to come. Germany appears to have abandoned its reluctance to be a big military power and has started a defence spending spree. German born Baroness Gisela Stuart tells us why it’s a seismic shift, and we assess what military capability it will buy.As well as spending more, NATO countries are doing more. BFBS Sitrep joins an RAF air policing patrol close to the border of Ukraine, and hears from Estonia where extended tours of duty are boosting British troop numbers.And Professor Michael Clarke talks us through the state of play, and strategic options, on the ground in Ukraine.

The Labour leader’s visited Estonia to meet British troops and show British political unity against Russia, and in support of NATO and Ukraine. He talks to Kate Gerbeau from Estonia on whether the UK’s approach to Vladimir Putin should be more forceful, what would happen if a chemical attack was launched in Ukraine, and whether Britain needs an urgent increase in defence spending.