Boris Johnson accidentally praised warmonger Vladimir Putin in an embarrassing gaffe in the House of Commons this afternoon.
The former Prime Minister, who was ousted from office after a huge Tory rebellion last month, quickly corrected himself as MPs around him awkwardly chuckled.
He made the remark during his first major contribution as a backbench MP, in which he said Ukrainian forces had an "inestimable psychological advantage".
Backbencher Mr Johnson said: "Thanks to the heroism of the Ukrainian armed forces, thanks in part to the weapons that we are proud to be offering, I congratulate my right honourable friend on his description of the work of the UK armed forces, the weapons that we're sending, the huge list..."
He then continued: "Thanks also to the inspirational leadership of Vladimir Putin... the inspirational leadership of Volodymyr Zelensky, forgive me, the Russian forces have in recent days been expelled from a large part of the north east of the country around Kharkiv and they're under intense pressure in Kherson in the south."
Mr Johnson went on to say that he was confident President Zelensky's forces would prevail.
He said : "I have no doubt whatsoever that the Ukrainians will win because they have the inestimable psychological advantage of fighting for their country in their country against an enemy that's increasingly demoralised and confused about what they're supposed to be doing in that country and what they hope to achieve."
The ex-PM said the UK must be prepared to give "more military assistance" and "more economic support" to Ukraine.
He told MPs: "At this turning point in the war, it is more vital than ever that we have the strategic patience to hold our nerve and ensure that the Ukrainians succeed in recapturing their territory, right to the borders of February 24.
"And if possible, to the pre-2014 boundaries because that is what international law demands."
He added: "If Putin is going to double down on his aggression, then we must double down in our defence of the Ukrainians, and we must be prepared to give more military assistance and more economic support and I welcome warmly the announcements from this Government this week."
Defence minister James Heappey earlier said Russia lacks the manpower in the field to achieve its objectives, telling MPs: "Not only do Russian casualties continue to climb, with an estimated 25,000 Russian dead, but tens of thousands have been injured and tens of thousands more have already deserted.
"Russia's war machine is now severely depleted with more than 3,000 armoured and protected vehicles destroyed, more than 400 artillery pieces decimated and scores of fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters and UAVs downed.
"Seven months into this conflict, Russia lacks sufficient manpower in the field to achieve any of its objectives and the mood of Moscow is changing quickly."
Pressed about Vladimir Putin's nuclear threats, Mr Heappey described it as "nuclear sabre-rattling" before noting it is the "act of a desperate man who knows this is not going his way".
Asked if the UK believes Mr Putin is bluffing, the minister said: "The Government's exact intelligence assessment is not something to be shared in the House... we believe that it is sabre-rattling and we believe it is designed to try and put a wedge amongst the cohesion of the Western alliance and to deter us from supporting Ukraine at the exact moment Ukrainian troops seem to have the upper hand."
Questioned about Nato's response if Russia does use one of its weapons, Mr Heappey said: "I'm not going to discuss nuclear doctrine at the despatch box."
