Russian President Vladimir Putin's behaviour following his invasion of Ukraine is mirroring the downfall of Nazi leader Adolf Hitler, a university professor has said. Putin is reportedly becoming isolated and refusing to accept criticism as his country's brutal war against Ukraine continues.
Professor Angus Dalgleish, of St George's, University of London, told The Mirror this behaviour is typical of a mad dictator and he believes "the end days of Hitler were incredibly similar".
He continues: "It is the refusal for criticism and the above all feeling that you are right and everyone else is completely wrong.
"Had Hitler listened to the advice of his generals and advisers, he wouldn't have made so many dreadful mistakes which led to losing the war."
Hitler died in a bunker in 1945 after refusing to give in when Nazi Germany started losing the Second World War - a culmination of poor tactical decisions and not listening to his advisers.
Similarly, it is "very difficult" for Russian generals to tell Putin something he doesn’t want to hear, investigative journalist Andrei Soldatov told Channel 4 news. Soldatov said Putin believes that he is the most informed politician in the world and he loves to boast of his knowledge.
But with that narcissism comes a problem in that "it's very difficult to tell him something he does want to hear," he said.
Putin's refusal to listen to advice and willingness to fire or ostracise generals could be put down to poor mental health as a result of taking medication, Professor Dalgleish added: "Those sorts of people are likely to be taking anabolic steroids
He said it is known knowledge that Putin has bad back pains from playing judo and riding horses, "so he's likely to be taking opiates, they can also make you dumb and aggressive".
Professor Dalgleish's remarks mirror Russia expert Professor Galeotti's, who also told the Daily Mail that it is "impossible" not to be reminded of German Nazi leader Hitler’s last days when a war he started was also going against him.
He also said there are parallels in "both leaders’ refusal to listen to counsel and their insistence on micro-managing military manoeuvres despite not having the experience to do so."
It has been reported that the Russian leader now prefers to speak to people by video call rather than face to face because it is easier to cut them off when he doesn’t like what they are saying.
A senior Defense Intelligence Agency official told Newsweek that the Russian military is getting weaker by the day, "with little prospect of overall replenishment or meaningful reinforcement."
Putin refuses to relent and Soldatov says he is only listening to about three or four people at the moment, despite the severe losses his army is facing. "His circle is getting smaller and smaller," Soldatov told the New Yorker.
He said it is known knowledge that Putin has bad back pains from playing judo and riding horses, "so he's likely to be taking opiates, they can also make you dumb and aggressive".
The dictator has fired five generals and one police colonel, according to a report from Moscow-based media group RBC.
He also said there are parallels in "both leaders’ refusal to listen to counsel and their insistence on micro-managing military manoeuvres despite not having the experience to do so."
It has been reported that the Russian leader now prefers to speak to people by video call rather than face to face because it is easier to cut them off when he doesn’t like what they are saying.
