Vladimir Putin is planning to send clowns to Ukraine in a bid to boost the flagging morale of Russian troops.
Russia's defence ministry is putting together a creative brigade of artists to send to the frontline with a view to improving the mood among soldiers as the conflict nears the one-year mark.
The brigade will consist of actors, circus performers, musicians and opera singers who will perform shows, with those involved having either volunteered for military duty or drafted under Putin's mobilisation of reservists.
A Russian state media press release announcing the formation of the brigade included an image of a performer juggling several balls.
Organised entertainment for military forces dates back decades but usually takes place during lengthy campaigns.
The Daily Star reported the UK’s Ministry of Defence noting that Russian soldiers currently face high casualty rates, poor leadership, lack of ammunition and equipment and pay problems.
"Fragile morale almost certainly continues to be a significant vulnerability across much of the Russian force,’’ an MoD spokesman said.
"The creative brigades' efforts are unlikely to substantively alleviate these concerns.’’
Meanwhile president Volodymyr Zelensky has told Rishi Sunak Ukraine needs him amid fears British military aid could decline after the Prime Minister commissioned a progress report on the war.
BBC Newsnight said senior figures in Whitehall feared Mr Sunak may switch to a more cautious approach to the war after requesting a data-driven audit on the UK’s military contributions.
A source said Mr Zelensky had sensed what is going on and appealed to his British counterpart to maintain the support Ukraine has enjoyed from the UK. “He has been talking to Rishi,” they added.
"He is trying to inspire him, saying the UK are the great liberators, the great fighters. We need you. Rise to that.’’
A No. 10 source said the PM’s support for Ukraine was unwavering and it was not true that he is taking a more cautious approach. Defence sources said there was a difference between taking briefings and going soft.
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