Brussels is stockpiling drugs and obliging manufacturers to guarantee supplies, and Russian forces are stepping up attacks on the Ukrainian town of Soledar. Plus, the FT’s Peggy Hollinger explains why Virgin Orbit's failed satellite launch is such a big deal for Europe. Mentioned in this podcast:Virgin Orbit scrambles to establish why first UK satellite launch failedRussian forces may have scored rare success in battle near BakhmutMilitary briefing: Ukraine’s hopes lift as western allies assess tank coalitionWar in Ukraine costs Moscow more than its record energy revenuesAccess 50% off a digital subscription FT.com/briefingsale The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson and Marc Filippino. The show’s editor is Jess Smith. Additional help by Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.