The Briefing Room - Ukraine: Have we reached a turning point in the war?

Download Ukraine: Have we reached a turning point in the war?

Ukraine's military has retaken thousands of square kilometres of territory near the north-eastern city of Kharkiv. The Russians are said to have retreated in haste and disarray, but they retaliated by shelling a large power plant, causing blackouts in Kharkiv, the country's second biggest city.

Is Ukraine's successful counter-offensive a turning point in the war? Could Ukraine win? Experts say Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, won't countenance defeat, and will escalate instead of retreating or suing for peace. Might Putin launch a tactical nuclear strike? Or use mobilisation or conscription for all-out war?

Joining David Aaronovitch in The Briefing Room are:

- Vitaliy Shevchenko, Russia editor at BBC Monitoring and co-host of the BBC's Ukrainecast podcast
- Michael Clarke, Professor of Defence studies and Specialist Advisor to the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy
- Samantha de Bendern, Associate Fellow at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House
- Sir Lawrence Freedman, Emeritus Professor of War Studies at King's College London
- Shashank Joshi, Defence Editor of The Economist

Producers: Paul Connolly, Arlene Gregorius and Kirsteen Knight
Editor: Richard Vadon
Sound engineer: Neil Churchill
Production co-ordinator: Siobhan Reed and Helena Warwick-Cross

Image credit: Anton Petrus/Getty Images

Published on Thursday, 15th September 2022.

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