Putin could LOSE his Ukraine war: Russian forces are 'decimated' says top UK general
Vladimir Putin's 'decimated' forces could lose the war in Ukraine, the UK's top military commander has suggested.
Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said Russia's troops were 'in a mess' and the invasion was 'not going well'.
His comments yesterday represent the most optimistic assessment yet of how the conflict may end – but came on another bleak day, with Russian forces firing on families as they fled the fighting.
When the invasion began less than a fortnight ago it was assumed to be inevitable that Russian tanks would roll into Kyiv within hours. But after a series of strategic blunders and the remarkable resistance of Ukrainian troops on the battlefield, the outcome of the campaign could now be in doubt.
Sir Tony, the former head of the Royal Navy, who was appointed Chief of the Defence Staff late last year, was speaking after eight Russian aircraft were shot down in 24 hours.
The Russians, contrary to their military doctrine, have also been forced to admit that almost 500 of their soldiers have been killed.
And in a highly embarrassing example of ineptitude, a convoy of hundreds of Russian vehicles and an estimated 15,000 troops has ground to a halt.
The column, including tanks, missile batteries and armoured personnel carriers, had been earmarked by Putin to encircle Kyiv and pound the Ukrainians into submission.
But this operation is considered at least a month behind schedule, according to UK military sources. Given the unified approach to sanctions that the UK, US and other world powers have displayed, the Kremlin chief may not be able to sustain a military campaign for that long.
Asked on the BBC yesterday whether Russia taking over Ukraine was 'inevitable', Sir Tony said: 'No. I think we've seen a Russian invasion that is not going well.
'I think we're also seeing remarkable resistance by Ukraine, both its armed forces and its people and we're seeing the unity of the whole globe coming together, applying pressure to Russia.
'Russia is suffering, Russia is an isolated power. It is less powerful than it was ten days ago. Some of the lead elements of Russian forces have been decimated by the Ukrainian response.
'You've also seen basic failures in terms of maintenance and their kit failing. Russia hasn't operated at this scale since the Second World War and it is incredibly complex and difficult.'
While Sir Tony's view offered much needed encouragement, he told the BBC's Sunday Morning show he feared the violence could get much worse because Russia's tactics were failing and Putin was becoming more desperate.
Sir Tony said: 'I think we've seen the unpredictable nature of war. This is going to be bloody. We are likely to see Russia ratcheting up the violence. We're going to see more indiscriminate shelling, we're going to see more ridiculous violence such as that was meted out on the Ukrainian population or attacking a nuclear power plant.
'The world has to maintain the resolve to keep applying its pressure on Russia, because it is Putin who can bring this to an end.'
Former heavy weight boxing champion Vladimir Klitschko visits a blockpost near Kyiv, Ukraine, earlier today
Kyiv reported late last night that they have downed a total of 44 Russian planes and 44 helicopters in the past eleven days, providing further evidence of Russia's failure to gain air superiority – a tactical advantage that Putin thought would be achieved on the first day of the war.
The Armed Forces Air Command reported early this morning that one Su-25 fighter, two Su-34 fighter-bombers, two Su-30 SM planes, and three helicopters were shot down yesterday alone.
Ukraine fears an attack from the air may soon be the go-to choice of tactics by Russia after their ground offensive appears to be making far slower progress than the Kremlin had anticipated
The Ukrainian leader fears Russia may soon begin a massive bombardment from the air, after their ground offensive appears to be making far slower progress than the Kremlin had anticipated.
Supply issues and logistical problems have been plaguing Russian advances for a number of days as Ukrainian forces continue to put up stiff resistance and hold key cities.
Ukrainian forces have 'proved a far tougher prospect than Putin expected'
The U.S. and its allies in the 30-member NATO group were sending weapons to Ukraine; more than 17,000 anti-tank weapons, including Javelin missiles, have been sent by land to Ukraine over the borders of Poland and Romania since the conflict began.
A Ukrainian soldier is pictured on Sunday holding a NLAW - Next generation Light Anti-tank Weapon - while manning a checkpoint on the outskirts of Kyiv. NATO has so far sent 17,000 anti-tank weapons to Ukraine
Romanian authorities believe that the situation 'will continue for a long time, and the complications will worsen.'
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