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Transcript
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SPEAKER 1
Hey, guys. Tim Miller here with The Bulwark. I'm with our quasi-Ukraine correspondent, Kalen Robertson, who you should be following on his platforms. And he's coming at us live here from one of the train stations in Ukraine that got hit by a Russian missile. Was it earlier today or overnight? Tell us about it.
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SPEAKER 2
So it was earlier today. It wasn't this station, but these trains go to that station. The station was Dnipro, which is kind of the second biggest station in Ukraine. And over 10 people have already been confirmed killed now. And it was extremely dramatic. I mean, these trains are iconic in Ukraine. And this is where diplomats, ambassadors,
0:34
these are the trains that Biden came in on, on Rail Force One. And the Russians put a missile into one of them today. And it's harrowing if you look at the footage. It's people in the sleeping compartments. If you look at all the hallways, they're covered in blood. All the windows are all destroyed.

Putin Hit a Passenger Train with a North Korean Missile (w/ Caolan Robertson)

Tim Miller connects with Caolan Robertson, reporting live from Ukraine amid escalating Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure. Broadcasting from an active train station near a recent missile strike, Robertson describes Ukraine’s unshakable resilience—embodied by its rail workers, the “Iron People.”

Don’t miss Caolan's report on Russian Soldiers' Cannibalism.

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Discussion about this video

User's avatar
Bruce Whitney's avatar

Caolan, stay safe. Always look forward to your reporting, it's vitally important that Ukraine's story be told.

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James LoMonaco's avatar

And Trump’s in bed with Putin. Disgraceful, despicable.

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Dave Southworth's avatar

In his comment about the "axis of evil," Caolin forgot to mention that China has provided tons of military technology to Russia that has been the true enabler of Russia being able to continue it's war

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Sera Bella's avatar

I actually could not believe this headline.

Insanity.

Thanks for this Tim Miller. Always a boss.

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Jo Anne Jedd's avatar

I haven't gotten bored with Ukraine coverage, I continue to be shocked and dismayed. Thank you for covering this.

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Jenny's avatar

Please continue to share these stories, it is very important and critical.

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shayaz's avatar

Great coverage of what is happening in Ukraine… not hearing much in the media and press as they focus on the mid east coverage and trumps daily antics…

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Kentuckistan's avatar

All the blood and money we wasted on South Vietnam and Afghanistan and this is basically the most worthy ally we've had in my lifetime and we won't do the smart and honorable thing and help them save their independence and fight their fight. Trump and MAGA have made us allies with the Rogue countries of the world.

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MLeity's avatar

While people are distracted, Trump’s goons are floating a partition plan…of Ukraine. https://euromaidanpress.com/2025/04/14/americas-new-ukraine-map-looks-like-putin-drew-it-himself/

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John Wallach's avatar

I am totally with the Ukrainians that US is not living up to obligations but the nuclear weapons on their territory after the USSR broke up would not protect them since they didn't have control over them.

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Laura's avatar

Please, can we hear from young Mr. Robertson regularly and often. I can't speak for everyone, but for me, Ukraine has never left my mind. It is one of the most important stories out there.

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Ann P's avatar

“Trump's pick for top US general in Europe says 'Ukraine can win' war with Russia”

USA Today, June 24, 2025 https://apple.news/APM1XtzLFShKzXNwEibz6rg

“ Russian missile attack kills nine, damages passenger train in southeast Ukraine”

Reuters, June 24, 2025 https://apple.news/AGt1kxO1LQVG8J0UTRysAnw

“ Starmer to give missiles to Ukraine paid for with £70m interest on Russian assets”

The Guardian, June 24, 2025 https://apple.news/AOXJb5dCUT_Gcb0WlZ-Knlg

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Ann P's avatar

Is this the Caolan Robertson that used to be a far right filmmaker who made a documentary about the genocide of white farmers in South Africa that never happened?

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Ann P's avatar

Biden is every bit to blame for this as Trump. His administration never gave Ukraine what they needed when they needed it. It was always too little too late and a slow walk to hell. And always because they were afraid Putin would nuke someone or start WW3. NATO is equally guilty, but I do think that NATO, at least their European members, are waking up to the fact that they need to step up the aid to Ukraine if they want to prevent Russia invading them next. Personally, I will never forgive Biden for doing the slow walk of weapons to Ukraine. Had they given Ukraine everything they asked for when they asked for it, this war would have been over a year ago and Ukraine would have won. Putin’s nuke posturing was and is a bluff. He’s a big bully coward just like Trump.

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Bruce Lawrence's avatar

I agree Biden didn't do enough to help Ukraine. But I don't think it was primarily because he was afraid of Putin's nuclear saber rattling. I think some in the administration were actively opposed to a Ukrainian victory because they feared it would lead to the collapse of Russia, which in turn could lead to nuclear proliferation. So, their goal was to maintain a balance and prevent either side from winning.

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Maria's avatar

I'm sorry but that'a a completely backword logic.

If the United States is deterred in the face of nuclear threat and so much so that even the most mild conventional weapons use is forbidden, why would any US ally trust there actually being American nuclear umbrella?

If you teach an agressive imperialistic nuclear power that nuclear threats work, those will be done more and it increases the risk of a)nuclear use b)proliferation.

What Biden did emboldened Russia. Of course he wasn't as bad as Trump is but he too increased the risk of NATO-Russia war.

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Shantha Smith's avatar

Everything the US sent to Israel to protect them from Iranian missiles could and should have been given to Ukraine. Not because I don't want to protect Israelis, but because if the Israeli government hadn't bombed Iran, they wouldn't have needed protection.

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Nils Pedersen's avatar

Thanks Tim! I can never eat a doner kebab again :-)

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CH's avatar

What is the best way to support these brave people?

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CH's avatar

Thank you!

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Ann P's avatar

Donate to United 24, the official Ukrainian fundraising site for war donations, which can be allocated in several different ways, ie, defense, demining, medical, education or rebuilding. In other words, you can stipulate which of those 5 categories you want your $$ to go to. This fundraising platform was created by Zelensky and was endorsed by Timothy Snyder, which is how I found out about it. Here’s their website:

THE INITIATIVE OF THE PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE

OFFICIAL FUNDRAISING

PLATFORM OF UKRAINE

https://u24.gov.ua/

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Heather's avatar

Thank you for the coverage, Tim. It feels so insignificant, but I will call my senators again tomorrow to remind them (again) that this still matters to me. Being from Illinois, this feels insignificant. I wish there was more that we could do.

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Sandra Filmer's avatar

Happening on the very day Putin unveils new statue of Stalin - which of course made the news.

https://apnews.com/article/stalin-statue-russia-ussr-putin-moscow-metro-7a5a425f9b1c6a7120b6345b5d150de3

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h.e.r.'s avatar

Dude. This video made me think of a theory that would answer ALL of my questions about the weird posturing around these strikes. Caolan keeps saying, "Putin needs Iran." Well, obviously he wants to keep them on side.

All of the ham-fistedness around this bombing makes complete sense if you see this through that lense. Trump gets to please hawkish part of his base by claiming he has ended Iran's nuclear program. He serves Putin's interests by creating a diversion wherein the uranium can get "lost" and by leaving the back door open for Iran to retool and further enmesh itself with Russia. Then he pleases the anti-war part of his base and further protects Putin's interests by declaring a cease-fire before Israel can pound Iran to smithereens. The only country that doesn't quite get everything they want is Israel, as evidenced by their hissy fit of ordinance in the 12 hours leading up to the cease-fire deadline.

Still not sure how this all shakes out since Israel seems to be a wild card.

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Vidya R's avatar

How is this cannibalism story not all over every news outlet? I could only really find it on the Kiev Independent. If UKR intelligence caught this message, it must not be an isolated instance. These are the stories that would break through with US audiences and bring attention back to the conflict. Those poor young men. There is no way they want to be in this situation. I hope they are telling their loved ones back home ... wishful thinking maybe, but how can this not create more dissent within Russia?

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Jon's avatar

Bothsidesism is the death of journalism, there are no two sides in this! Thank you Tim for staying on this, it's incredibly important.

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Bradley J Hintze's avatar

Thank you! Keep theses coming. Maybe hire a full time Ukrainian journalist who can post daily TLDR-type audio...

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Dan Lamson's avatar

I love the bulwark a lot but it’s shocking to me to hear that it’s the biggest news organization covering this event. I didn’t hear about it anywhere else. That’s insane. Thank you for the important coverage and reporting here, Tim and bulwark team. I’m going to write a letter to my local paper about Ukraine and this event in particular. Not sure it’ll do much but I’ll do what I can.

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Wendy Newlon's avatar

Thank you Tim - PLEASE keep up the coverage of Ukraine. We cannot forget them.

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Sherry's avatar

Tim, this is a remarkable report from Ukraine. Thank you! Not only my MD daughter, but also my jaded and skeptical and brilliant son, both of whom are highly educated millennials, are listening to the Bulwark podcast because your voice and reporting resonates with them. My kids used to send their outgrown toys and clothes to Ukraine, post-Chernobyl, because we knew the need was great there A a local family who was from that country emphasized the importance of helping Ukraine. And that impacted my children, who have never forgotten. Carry on!

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James Woodruff's avatar

Thank you for this coverage. The war in Ukraine needs to stay top of mind even with all the horror going on at home.

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Hey Mama Warrior's avatar

Tim - thanks for covering stories that should be, yet aren’t. Mr. Robertson is an amazing young man and fabulous spokesperson for Ukraine’s resilience and the atrocities being committed. When the aggressors retreat, and Ukraine is free once more, I want to visit and hope democracy loving tourists do the same. 🧳 Слава Україні! 🇺🇦💜

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Lisette's avatar

This was an exceptional update on Ukraine. Thank you so much Bulwark team! Shared this video to Bluesky.

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jen's avatar

Tim, I just "highly recommended" this interview to people at Adam Kinzinger, so insightful/informative...Caolan Robertson is exceptional. Your donner remark...ugh.

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Clay Banes's avatar

He might have said Dahmer, as in Jeffrey. Donner is a closer analogue. Cannibalism among the Russian army in Ukraine? Is this a scoop?

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Bruce Lawrence's avatar

The transcript says, "Dahmering". That matches what I heard. But I agree Donner would have been better.

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Ann P's avatar

I’m sure he meant the Donner Party.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donner_Party

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Nina's avatar

What in the fuck?!?!?

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Jun 25
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Ann P's avatar

Desperate times create desperate people. I can believe they would do it, and so would you in a certain type of situation.

“ The Donner Party, sometimes called the Donner–Reed Party, was a group of American pioneers who migrated to California in a wagon train from the Midwest. Delayed by a multitude of mishaps, they spent the winter of 1846–1847 snowbound in the Sierra Nevada. Some of the migrants resorted to cannibalism to survive, mainly eating the bodies of those who had succumbed to starvation, sickness, or extreme cold, but in one case murdering and eating two Native American guides.”

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donner_Party

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0:34
these are the trains that Biden came in on, on Rail Force One. And the Russians put a missile into one of them today. And it's harrowing if you look at the footage. It's people in the sleeping compartments. If you look at all the hallways, they're covered in blood. All the windows are all destroyed.