Russia accused of plague leak coverup as Moscow bombards Kyiv bridges | Ukraine war news updates

What’s behind reports of a possible pneumonic plague case in Irkutsk, Russia? Today, after a weekend that saw Kyiv’s key bridges hit by Russian drones in broad daylight – as Frederich Merz was actually visiting the Ukrainian capital, we hear the German chancellor’s defiant response. We discuss the death of a lab worker in Siberia, possibly of plague, sparking concern of an outbreak. Then we dive deeper into the tactics that allowed Ukraine to advance on the battlefield this year, and see Tucker Carlson being taken to task by former British MP Jacob Rees-Mogg, on his views on Ukraine and World War Two. Contributors: Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X. Sophie O’Sullivan (Telegraph Journalist). Verity Bowman (Foreign and Global Health Security Reporter). @VerityBowman on X. 01:18 Impact of Strikes on Kyiv Infrastructure & Zelensky’s Response 03:39 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz Visits Kyiv 03:59 Strikes Across Odesa, Kharkiv & Oleshky Aid Operation 06:52 Jacob Rees-Mogg / Tucker Carlson Interview 14:24 Friedrich Merz Announces €1.3B Aid Package & Defence Deals 16:44 Siberian Lab Technician Death Sparks Pneumonic Plague Fears 22:58 EU Unlocks €2.9B in Reform-Linked Funding for Ukraine 24:52 Anti-Putin Slogans at Moscow Rally, Moldova Incident & Latvian Elections 27:54 Verity Bowman Analysis: 5-Step Tactics Restoring Tank Warfare 32:03 Rescue Operation in Oleshky & Kyiv’s Ukraine Museum in Berlin Producer: Rachel Porter Senior Producer: Lilian Fawcett Video Producer: Sophie O’Sullivan Social Producer: Tom Steed Studio Director: Meghan Searle Executive Editor: Francis Dearnley Created by David Knowles NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE: Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here:    / @ukrainethelatest   CONTENT REFERENCED: U.S.-Russia Talks on Ukraine Now Involve an Oil Deal Tied to Trump Allies (New York Times) https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/03/us... Interview with journalists from the Kyiv Independent: On YouTube:    • Huge blaze after Russian strategic bomber ...   On Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast... On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3YW7... Sophie’s interview with Annie Jacobsen, on her book about biological warfare: On YouTube:    • Russia blamed for Germany airport attack a...   On Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast... On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0e63... Francis’s tour of the Berlin Ukraine Museum:    • Huge mushroom cloud over Russia as ‘savage...   Learn more about the Ukraine Museum in Berlin: https://www.berlinstory.de/ukraine-mu... Tucker Carlson debates Jacob-Rees Mogg:    • “Prepare for War” - Tucker Confronts Brita...   On YouTube:    • ‘He’s pulled off a socialist coup!’: Jacob...   On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6cnkk1J... On Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast... How Kyiv cracked Russia’s kill zone and got its tanks back in the fight (Verity Bowman for The Telegraph) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-new... If you’re interested in sponsoring Dom’s upcoming defence event, email our colleagues at events@telegraph.co.uk EMAIL US: Contact the team on ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk. We continue to read every message, and seek to respond to as many as possible.