Battleground

With the latest news from Ukraine coming to light as to the seriousness in which the Trump administration are pushing this latest peace proposal, Patrick Bishop and Roger Moorhouse give their reaction to the leaked contents. 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

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

This episode plunges into the brutality of static warfare. We explore the Chinese Spring Offensive of 1951 and the desperate defensive battles fought to hold the line, looking at the heroic and horrific three-day stand of the Glorious Glosters at the Battle of Imjin River—a sacrifice often credited with saving Seoul, and the Battle of Kapyong where the 27th Commonwealth Brigade fought their final battle. Saul and Roger also analyse the new reality: a "war of inches" fought over insignificant ground, where immense human cost was exacerbated by the massive, destructive scale of American area bombing. As the fighting raged, armistice talks began at Panmunjom, but quickly stalled on a single, intractable issue: the fate of the Prisoners of War. We dissect the controversial "voluntary repatriation" policy—the West's insistence on not forcing men back to Communism—which turned POW camps into ideological battlegrounds and peace negotiations into a two-year agony. 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

In this crucial episode of Battleground: Ukraine, hosts Saul David and Patrick Bishop dissect the high-stakes battle for Pokrovsk, a strategic rail and supply hub now facing an overwhelming Russian onslaught. Despite recent slowdowns in the Russian advance and successful Ukrainian counter-attacks—which have inflicted record casualties on the invaders—the city’s defences appear to be on the verge of collapse. We examine the claims from Ukrainian officials that "We are losing Pokrovsk," the implications of unverified footage showing Russian forces entering the city, and what the loss of this key position would mean for Ukraine’s morale and the entire Donbas "fortress belt." They also dissect the shocking corruption scandal uncovered by Ukraine's anti-corruption units, which demonstrates both the scale of corruption in Ukraine and also the success of measures being used to combat it. We also welcome back friend of the podcast, intrepid Hungarian war reporter Boldi Gyori, who shares his recent experiences from the frontlines in Kramatorsk. 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

After their great victory at Inchon, UN forces race north toward the Chinese border, dreaming of ending the war fast. But, they ignore the warning signs coming from China... In this episode, that gamble backfires. We detail the chilling reality of late 1950 when hundreds of thousands of Chinese troops launch a massive, counter-offensive. The UN forces are caught completely by surprise by the overwhelming attack and the brutal Korean winter. The episode covers the desperate fight and retreat and the devastating consequence: UN forces are pushed back and the loss Seoul for a second time. As the war spirals out of control and he pushes for escalation, the political fallout leads directly to President Truman's dramatic sacking of the commanding General, Douglas MacArthur. The conflict has now exploded into a terrifying new war with no end in sight. 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

After a two-month absence, Patrick Bishop returns to the Battleground microphone to join Saul David, offering a fresh, big-picture perspective on the war in Ukraine. Looking beyond the daily headlines, Patrick characterises the current state of the conflict—across military, diplomatic, economic, and political fronts—as an "uncertain stasis." While the war seems outwardly frozen, the hosts discuss whether powerful undercurrents could soon force a significant breakthrough. They dive into the battlefield reality, analysing the potential fall of Pokrovsk and debating its true strategic significance for both Kyiv and Moscow. Is this the long-awaited Russian breakthrough, or just a costly, rubble-filled victory that simply sets the stage for more stalemate? 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

The only way out is with a gamble. In Episode 3, the Korean War narrative shifts from desperate survival to audacious counter-attack. The Allied line is breaking, the port of Pusan is on the verge of collapse, and the entire war rests on the success of General Douglas MacArthur's ambitious plan. Ignoring every warning, MacArthur stakes the entire conflict on a single, risky amphibious assault: Operation Chromite at the tidal port of Inchon. We explore the incredible strategic audacity, the geographical obstacles, and how this audacious flanking maneuver shatters the North Korean People's Army (NKPA). But victory is brief. As the 27th "Fire Brigade," the first British Commonwealth ground troops, advance north from the Pusan Perimeter, they confront the brutal reality of coalition warfare. We detail the intense and tragic Battle of Hill 282, where a catastrophic moment of friendly fire costs the lives of Commonwealth soldiers and forces the rapid formation of the resilient Commonwealth Brigade. 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

Host Saul David interviews special guest Richard Woodruff, a young British volunteer in Ukraine since 2022. Richard shares his journey from rebuilding destroyed homes in Bucha and Irpin to delivering critical humanitarian aid near the front lines. He recounts his immediate response to the Kakhovka Dam disaster, using speedboats to rescue stranded civilians and animals. The discussion focuses heavily on his current work running what is described as Ukraine's largest volunteer-controlled drone factory, which has produced over 5,500 FPV drones credited with destroying millions in Russian equipment. Richard also discusses the future of the war, the challenge of international support, and his post-war plans to moving to Kharkiv to help lead the massive rebuilding effort. If you want to have a look at Richard's work check it out here: https://frontlinekit.org/ 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

The lightning war begins. Following the invasion, the North Korean military executes a devastating blitzkrieg attack, sweeping through South Korea and shattering all initial resistance. Saul and Roger are joined by experts Robert Lyman and David Allison, who help dive into the details of the chaotic early stages of the Korean War. First we look at the desperate retreat of the overwhelmed South Korean and early US forces as they are pushed towards Pusan. Then we look at the crucial global response: the newly formed UN Security Council, seizing a rare opportunity, debates and authorises a multinational intervention. Can a global force be assembled in time to halt the seemingly unstoppable North Korean war machine? The episode climaxes at the Pusan Perimeter. Battered, exhausted, and pushed to the absolute limit of the peninsula, UN and South Korean forces make a final, desperate stand. This is North Korea's furthest advance. Outnumbered, outgunned, and with their backs literally against the sea. The fate of South Korea hangs by a thread. Next time: The Tide Turns. 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

Join Saul David and Roger Moorhouse as they break down a week of diplomatic upheaval, and look at the latest from the front lines with a report from Hungarian war reporter Boldi Gyori, recently returned from Donetsk. Hopes for a quick peace vanished after the US-Russia Budapest summit was scuttled by Moscow's refusal to freeze the front lines. The hosts analyse the shifting politics surrounding long-range missiles: why President Trump withheld Tomahawks, and why Washington seemingly green-lit a major Ukrainian Storm Shadow missile strike on a critical Russian chemical plant. On the home front, we examine new Western sanctions hitting Russia's oil and gas giants, reports of horrific war crimes against civilians in Donetsk and Kharkiv, and the long-term future of Ukrainian air power with the massive Swedish deal for up to 150 advanced Gripen E fighter jets. 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

Welcome to Battleground Korea: The Unfinished War. We begin by exploring how Korea, a nation scarred by decades of Japanese occupation, was suddenly and arbitrarily divided by the victorious Allies in 1945. The line was the 38th Parallel. This division birthed two fiercely opposing regimes and leaders: the Soviet-backed communist Kim Il Sung in the North, and the American-backed nationalist Syngman Rhee in the South. As the Cold War escalated, Korea rapidly became a volatile proxy battleground between East and West. "With American and Soviet forces withdrawing, the fragile peace along the 38th Parallel began to unravel. Skirmishes grew bloodier and more audacious. Both Kim Il Sung and Syngman Rhee openly spoke of unifying the peninsula—by force. The question wasn't if the two Koreas would clash, but whether their civil conflict would ignite a wider conflagration, pulling in the global superpowers. The stage was set, but who would make the first devastating move?" The episode concludes with the secret plotting that sealed Korea's fate. Kim Il Sung relentlessly lobbied Josef Stalin and Mao Zedong for the necessary support. After months of manoeuvring, the communist giants finally gave their approval, providing the crucial political green light. Next time: The Invasion. 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

This week Roger Moorhouse and Saul David analyse a week of potential shifts in the conflict. On the frontline: Ukrainian civilians evacuate Kupiansk as security deteriorates; a UN humanitarian convoy is deliberately attacked in Kherson; and a strike hits a Kharkiv hospital. Ukraine continues hitting back, targeting the Feodosia oil terminal in Crimea amidst a potential chemical threat from a ruptured ammonia pipeline. In the diplomatic sphere, Donald Trump rattles the Kremlin by suggesting he might send Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine, prompting intense Russian warnings. Meanwhile, signs of Putin's diplomatic discomfort appear as he is forced to apologize to Azerbaijan, and early whispers of internal dissent surface in Russia's major cities. 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

The hunt is over. Black May (May 1943) marks the U-boat campaign's devastating turning point, forcing Admiral Dönitz to withdraw his "Grey Wolves" from the North Atlantic. In the final episode Saul and Roger track the U-boats' demise against overwhelming Allied technological advances. We explore the grim reality for U-boat crews—the brutal conditions and a staggering 75% casualty rate—and why advanced subs like the Type XXI "Elektroboote" arrived too late. We conclude the series by assessing the final collapse, Operation Deadlight, and the campaign's immense human cost. 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

This week on Battleground Ukraine, hosts Saul David and Roger Moorhouse are joined by intrepid Belgian war reporter and friend of the podcast Arnaud de Decker, who recently toured the Donbas. In this crucial and alarming dispatch, Arnaud provides a firsthand look at the realities in Donetsk, detailing how Russian forces are steadily advancing and closing in on the key Ukrainian towns of Slovyansk and Kramatorsk. Before this essential interview, the hosts dissect the political and military headlines, including the shocking rhetoric from former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who all but admitted Russia's role in drone sightings across Europe. They'll also be examining the difference between the opposing forces' long-range strikes—including Ukraine's successful hits on vital Russian oil infrastructure (like the Feodosia oil terminal), possibly using the new Flamingo missile, and an intelligence report on up to 5,000 Cuban fighters joining the Russian ranks. 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

In late 1942, German U-boats were sinking Allied merchant ships faster than they could be replaced, pushing Britain to the brink of starvation in the 'Black Pit' of the mid-Atlantic. In this episode Roger Moorhouse is joined by Saul David as he dives into the most critical period of the Battle of the Atlantic, from the peak losses of March 1943 to the stunning Allied victory in 'Black May.' They explore the high-stakes technological race—including the deployment of long-range aircraft, advanced radar, sonar, and breaking the Enigma code—that transformed the Allies from prey to predator and secured the lifeline that made the liberation of Europe possible. 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

Roger Moorhouse and Saul David analyze a week of intense combat and high-stakes diplomacy. Russia launched a heavy aerial assault on Ukrainian cities, while in the West, they discuss reports that Trump is a "spurned lover," frustrated by Putin's refusal to strike a peace deal. The hosts also examine the critical power failure at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant and the safety risk it poses. Finally, they cover the new European plan for a continent-wide "drone wall" and the controversial debate over holding a wartime election in Ukraine. 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

Welcome to the first episode of our new Wolfpack series with Saul David and Roger Moorhouse diving into the intriguing origins and early, devastating success of Nazi Germany’s U-boat campaign in the Atlantic. This foundational episode unpacks how naval limitations imposed by the Treaty of Versailles failed to stop German rearmament and secretly fostered the development of submarine warfare doctrine. They also explore Admiral Karl Dönitz's desperate strategic vision—the famed "wolfpack" tactics—and how a small fleet initially achieved spectacular results. From the shocking sinking of the civilian liner SS Athenia immediately after the declaration of war, to the "First Happy Time," a period where U-boat crews operated with lethal impunity, nearly crippling Britain's supply lines and setting the stage for the true Battle of the Atlantic. 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

This week on Battleground, Saul David and Roger Moorhouse dissect a week of Russian provocation and a dramatic political shift from the US President. Is Putin's aggressive brinkmanship about to backfire? After three MiG-31 jets violated Estonian airspace and a major drone incursion grounded flights at Copenhagen Airport, NATO allies are drawing a line in the sand. The hosts break down the fallout from Estonia invoking Article 4, the emergency UN Security Council session, and the stark pledge from the Polish foreign minister to shoot down future invaders of NATO skies. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump executes a stunning U-turn, branding Russia a 'paper tiger' and urging Ukraine to reclaim all its lost territory—a complete reversal of his previous calls for territorial concession. Also in this episode: Kremlin Nepotism: We examine reports that an increasingly paranoid Putin has appointed his cousin, Anna Tsivileva, as a deputy defence minister to root out corruption and disloyalty in the defence ministry. Nuclear Sabre-Rattling: Putin attempts to "throw Trump a bone" with a conditional offer to adhere to the New START treaty for one year following its 2026 expiry. Listeners' Questions: We tackle your queries on: the West's slow adoption of drone warfare lessons; the long-term demographic fallout of the war on both Russia and Ukraine: and more. Join us as we analyse the week's most dangerous escalations and what they mean for the future of the conflict. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The final showdown in North Africa is here. In the final episode of our Tunisgrad series Saul and Roger discuss the climax of the campaign as Allied forces converge on the Axis in Tunisia. Together they break down the pivotal battles that sealed the fate of the Axis, from Montgomery's breakthrough at the Mareth Line to the decisive pincer movement at Wadi Akarit. And the final, coordinated assault, Operation Strike, which leads to the fall of Tunis and a capitulation on a scale even greater than Stalingrad. Discover the key factors behind the Allied victory: overwhelming logistical superiority, complete air supremacy, and a unified command structure that finally worked. Over 250,000 Axis troops surrender, marking the end of the African campaign and, as one historian notes, "the beginning of the end" for Hitler. 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

While last week's dramatic Russian drone attack on Poland made headlines, this week sees a return to the grinding realities of the war in Ukraine. Join hosts Roger Moorhouse and Saul David as they dissect the latest developments including Russia's continued missile and drone strikes, Ukraine's strategic targeting of Russian oil infrastructure, and the alarming nature of the "Zapad 2025" military exercises between Russia and Belarus. 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