{"podcast":{"title":"Battleground","slug":"battleground-5307466","podcast_index_feed_id":5307466,"rss_url":"https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/6a22b52017f169d6433fb960","website_url":"https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/battlegroundpod","image_url":"https://assets.pippa.io/shows/6a22b52017f169d6433fb960/show-cover.jpg","author":"Goalhanger","episode_count":440,"summary":"A history podcast that explores the narratives, turning points, and characters that shape conflicts, encompassing a blend of social and military history. Following on from the series on the Falklands War, best-selling military historians Patrick Bishop, Saul David, and Roger Moorhouse turn their attention every Friday to the war in Ukraine, and every Wednesday look back at the significant wars, events, and figures from conflicts around the world.Goalhanger Podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.","last_synced_at":"2026-07-17T10:17:02.713248+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/battleground-5307466"},"episode":{"title":"410. The Artery of the Nation & The War on Corruption","slug":"410-the-artery-of-the-nation-the-war-on-corruption","published_at":"2026-06-17T01:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/battleground-5307466/410-the-artery-of-the-nation-the-war-on-corruption","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/battleground-5307466","url":"https://shows.acast.com/battlegroundpod/episodes/410-the-artery-of-the-nation-the-war-on-corruption","audio_url":"https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/6a22b52017f169d6433fb960/e/6a3190a1101389aa3d593d8e/media.mp3","summary":"In this episode of Battleground Ukraine , Saul David and Julius Strauss check in from the bustling Kyiv Railway Station after completing a train journey from Kharkiv. Despite ongoing Russian infrastructure attacks that have heavily impacted the national grid, Ukraine’s rail network continues to prove itself as the resilient, indispensable artery keeping the country moving in wartime. The hosts explore how Ukraine’s railways have defied Western calls for \"efficiency rationalisation\"—revealing how their old-school, deep-reserve structure has actually saved them from collapse. They also examine Russia's evolving, aggressive strategy of targeting critical civilian infrastructure and how it measures up against international law. Diving Deep on Ukraine's Anti-Corruption Battle In the second half of the episode, the hosts sit down after their remarkably candid conversation with Executive Director of Transparency International Ukraine - Andrii Borovyk to unpack the high-stakes battle against internal corruption—a fight critical to Ukraine's aspirations of joining the European Union. Key highlights from their discussion include: The Corruption Perception Index: Where Ukraine stands globally, its notable progress since 2014, and how it dramatically compares to Russia. The Midas Scandal & Zelenskyy’s Report Card: A look at the $100 million kickback scheme that rocked the administration, the subsequent firing of top advisor Andriy Yermak, and how the expert grades Ukraine's past and present leaders on crushing corruption. No One Above the Law: Why addressing wartime corruption cannot wait until the conflict ends, even as sectors like customs, energy, and military conscription remain vulnerable. The Power of the EU carrot: How Ukraine’s deep desire for EU membership serves as t…","meta_description":"In this episode of Battleground Ukraine , Saul David and Julius Strauss check in from the bustling Kyiv Railway Station after completing a train journey f…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":1135,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/battleground-5307466/episodes/410-the-artery-of-the-nation-the-war-on-corruption/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/battleground-5307466/410-the-artery-of-the-nation-the-war-on-corruption.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}