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12. The Lightning Strike

Vladimir Putin orders the invasion of Ukraine, in the hope of decapitating its government.

On the 24th of February 2022, after months of military build-up and increasingly grave warnings, Vladimir Putin stepped over the brink and ordered the invasion of Ukraine.

In this episode, Jonny Dymond tells the story of the crucial first month of the war, as Putin’s ambitions first faltered and then collapsed in the face of fierce Ukrainian resistance. By examining his speeches, public appearances and the political context, this programme chronicles Putin’s first weeks as a war leader.

To dispel the fog of war and understand Putin’s role at this dramatic time, Jonny Dymond is joined by:

Bridget Kendall - former Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Moscow and Diplomatic Correspondent, now Master of Peterhouse, Cambridge.
Vitaliy Shevchenko - Russia Editor at Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Monitoring and co-presenter of Ukrainecast
Owen Matthews - Journalist, historian and author of Overreach

Production coordinators: Helena Warwick-Cross and Siobhan Reed
Sound engineer: Rod Farquhar
Producers: Nathan Gower
Researcher: Octavia Woodward
Series Editor: Simon Watts

Available now

28 minutes

Last on

Wed 14 Dec 2022 11:00

Broadcasts

  • Mon 12 Dec 2022 20:00
  • Wed 14 Dec 2022 11:00

Podcast