GCHQ boss Sir Jeremy Fleming is to say that 'desperate' Russian president Vladimir Putin could face a leadership revolt as his decision to invade Ukraine backfires. Sir Jeremy is also expected to say that 'exhausted' Russian troops are running out of munitions and supplies.
The director of the UK's intelligence, cyber and security agency based in Cheltenham, is due to make a speech in London today. He is to say "it's clear that Ukraine's courageous action on the battlefield and in cyberspace is turning the tide," MirrorOnline reports.
His speech will come as reports suggest Russians of fighting-age are trying to avoid being drafted into Putin's "war of choice". The security chief will also reportedly say the country is now reliant on prisoners and inexperienced conscripts to fill in the depleted numbers on the frontline.
Sir Jeremy is set to speak at the Royal United Services Institute defence think tank later, where he is expected to suggest that GCHQ is aware of how badly the war is going for Putin.
Giving the annual Royal United Services Institute security lecture, the intelligence chief will say that Russian “gains are being reversed” in a “staggering” cost to Moscow in terms of people and equipment.
“We know – and Russian commanders on the ground know – that their supplies and munitions are running out,” Sir Jeremy will say, according to an excerpt from his speech shared in advance.
“Russia’s forces are exhausted. The use of prisoners to reinforce, and now the mobilisation of tens of thousands of inexperienced conscripts, speaks of a desperate situation.
“And the Russian population has started to understand that too. They’re seeing just how badly Putin has misjudged the situation. They’re fleeing the draft, realising they can no longer travel. They know their access to modern technologies and external influences will be drastically restricted. And they are feeling the extent of the dreadful human cost of his war of choice.”
UK Prime Minister Liz Truss will urge G7 leaders to remain steadfast in support of Ukraine during crisis talks on Tuesday following Russian strikes on Kyiv and other major Ukrainian cities.
The Russian attack on Monday, which left at least 11 dead and 64 injured, was launched by Moscow in retaliation for what Vladimir Putin claimed was a terrorist act carried out by Ukrainian special services on a bridge linking Russia with Crimea.
International outcry was swift in the wake of the latest Russian assault, labelled by some as a sign of President Putin’s growing desperation in the face of staunch Ukrainian resistance.
But in a sign of how seriously Western leaders are taking the Russian bombardment, Ms Truss and her G7 counterparts will hold a virtual meeting later on Tuesday, with the Prime Minister also expected to call for a full meeting of Nato leaders in the coming days.
The video call will also be attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who spoke to Ms Truss and other world leaders on Monday.
