Vladimir Putin in 'impossible position' to win Ukraine war after heavy Russian losses

Vladimir Putin is in an "impossible position" as he's suffered heavy troop losses and "nobody will forget what he's done", the former UK ambassador to Russia has said.

Sir Andrew Wood said he believes Putin has suffered more troop losses in Ukraine than Afghanistan and if the Kremlin boss continues on the warpath he's on there won't be "a settled outcome".

Speaking to Kay Burley on Sky News on Thursday morning, he said: "Well he thought he was going to win it a long time before, but in fact, he's losing it heavily and I think we have to realise that he cannot win the war in the sense of achieving a settled outcome.

It is believed Vladimir Putin has lost more Russian troops to death than they lost during the war in Afghanistan when 15,000 were killed (AFP via Getty Images)

"Nobody in Ukraine is going to forget what he's done and what his forces have done, and the way they've done it - that in itself is a defeat."

He said it is believed Moscow has already lost "more Russian troops to death than they lost during the war in Afghanistan" when 15,000 were killed.

Sir Andrew added this puts Putin in an "impossible position" in Ukraine.

The former UK ambassador to Russia, Sir Andrew Wood, said Putin is in an 'impossible position' (Sky News)

The former ambassador added that Russian propaganda "doesn't care about the truth", suggesting that Vladimir Putin "will try and work up some kind of story" to account for the slow movement.

When asked if negotiations between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky are possible he said: "I don't think there will be any real dialogue until the results in the eastern regions are clear.

Soldiers arrive at an abandoned building to rest near Kramatorsk, eastern Ukraine (AFP via Getty Images)

"If Russia continues to lose troops at the rate they are then they can have talked about Russia retreating, essentially.

"If he wins, by slaughtering more Ukrainians, it still isn't a victory because it isn't a permanent solution."

It comes as Putin's planned victory parade in its war against Ukraine has taken a humiliating hit after huge Russian losses see it scaled down by a third.

A destroyed Russian BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle on a road near Pokrovske, eastern Ukraine (AFP via Getty Images)

Russian President Putin's planned display of power could turn into a remarkably sorry sight as he rolls out a hugely depleted military on Monday, May 9.

Each year, the parade is held to mark victory over Nazi Germany during World War 2.

It is also used historically by Russian leaders to show off the country's military force.

However, following massive losses in Ukraine, this year is set to see it scaled back by around 35 per cent.