The Documentary Podcast

The Documentary Podcast

BBC World Service

A window into our world, through in-depth storytelling from the BBC. Investigating, reporting and uncovering true stories from everywhere. Award-winning journalism, unheard voices, amazing culture and global issues.

From China’s state-backed overseas spending, to on the road with Canada’s Sikh truckers, to the frontline of the climate emergency, we go beyond the headlines.

Every week, we take you into the minds of the world's most creative people and explore personal approaches to spirituality. And we bring together people from around the globe to discuss how news stories are affecting their lives.

A new episode most days, all year round. From our BBC World Service teams at: Assignment, Heart and Soul, In the Studio, OS Conversations and The Fifth Floor.

Categories: Society & Culture

Listen to the last episode:

*** This programme contains very strong language *** Over the past year, BBC Eye has followed the journeys of young men from Syria, Egypt, and Yemen who travelled to Russia in search of work, only to end up on the frontlines in Ukraine. Why are these men risking their lives in a war that is not theirs? Many, including students, say they were tricked into fighting for the Russian army by a recruiter. BBC Eye investigates their stories, meeting a family grieving the loss of their son and a young Yemeni man now trapped in a prisoner-of-war camp.

Watch the film Into the Void Putin's Foreign Fighters on YouTube: https://youtu.be/y7ruSvJfn_g

Previous episodes

  • 5080 - Putin's foreign fighters 
    Tue, 13 Jan 2026
  • 5079 - The Netherlands: 10 new cities? 
    Mon, 12 Jan 2026
  • 5078 - Bianca Raffaella: A world of blurred vision 
    Mon, 12 Jan 2026
  • 5077 - Looking for No Man's Land 
    Sun, 11 Jan 2026
  • 5076 - Taraneh: Iran's defiant actress 
    Sat, 10 Jan 2026
Show more episodes

More UK society & culture podcasts

More international society & culture podcasts

Choose podcast genre