The Winter War — How Ukraine is facing Russia’s cruelty

This Is Not A Drill with Gavin Esler

Podmasters

News, Society & Culture, Politics

4.9 • 1.6K Ratings

🗓️ 5 February 2026

⏱️ 21 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

As temperatures plummet in Ukraine, Putin’s military is continuing to target the country’s power supply, leaving civilians suffering as the war continues toward a fifth year. With the diplomatic crises and international flashpoints of recent months dragging attention away from Ukraine, what are the prospects for the coming year, both on the battlefield and in the stalled peace process? Gavin Esler discusses the latest with This Is Not A Drill presenter and Kyiv-based conflict reporter Oz Katerji. • Support us on Patreon to keep This Is Not A Drill producing thought-provoking podcasts like this. Advertisers - want to reach smart, engaged, influential people? Some 3.5 MILLION people download and watch our podcasts every month – and they love our shows. Why not get YOUR brand in front of our influential listeners with podcast advertising? Contact ads@podmasters.co.uk to find out more. Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Produced by Robin Leeburn. Original theme music by Paul Hartnoll – https://www.orbitalofficial.com. Executive Producer Martin Bojtos. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. This Is Not A Drill is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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1:37.7	Amid all the diplomatic crises and international flashpoints of recent months from Venezuela to Greenland and from Iran to
1:45.7	Gaza, it's easy to forget that despite talk of peace, the war in Ukraine drags on. The people of
1:52.6	Ukraine are enduring a freezing cold winter at a time when Vladimir Putin's military
1:56.8	has been deliberately attacking power plants and other energy sources.
2:01.9	Even as peace talks of various kinds and at various levels with varied interlocutors have been
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