Christopher Steele, a former MI6 agent, has said that Vladimir Putin ‘cannot survive’ a defeat in Ukraine, as the Russian president faces escalating domestic anger over his army’s shortcomings.
Yesterday, it was claimed that Ukraine had made significant gains in a counteroffensive that took the Russian Army off guard.
President Zelensky declared on Friday that a rapid strike by Ukrainian forces shattered Russian lines and penetrated far into occupied territory, liberating more than 30 communities in the Kharkiv region.
The liberated city of Balakliaa was depicted in images and videos released yesterday, with troops standing triumphantly on Russian flags.
Christopher Steele, a former MI6 officer, claimed in a tweet that the Ukrainian counteroffensive in Kharkiv and Kherson had thus far surpassed all expectations.
‘Putin will perish if the ragtag Russian army of undisciplined drunks and thieves is routed, as now appears certain.
Even with his propaganda machine, he cannot survive a military defeat.
Christopher Steele, a former MI6 agent, has said that Vladimir Putin ‘cannot survive’ a defeat in Ukraine, as the Russian president faces escalating domestic anger over his army’s shortcomings.
More than six months after Russian President Vladimir Putin (pictured) started an invasion of Ukraine, his army is now being repulsed in the country’s eastern provinces, where they had previously gained gains.
The offensive caught the Russian lines off guard in a vulnerable sector of their front, threatening a vital supply link used by occupying Russian soldiers in the east.
Our army, intelligence units, and security services are actively engaged in multiple operational zones. In a video address to the public, the Ukrainian president said that their efforts are fruitful.
We are gradually gaining control of additional communities. We are returning the Ukrainian flag and international protection for our nationals.” Moreover, he advised Ukrainians to report any crimes perpetrated by the invading soldiers.
Vitaly Ganchev, the leader of the Russian-backed government in the Kharkiv region, basically confessed that significant portions of the frontline had collapsed southeast of the second-largest city in Ukraine, Kharkiv.
In light of the significant gains made by Ukrainian forces, CIA Director William Burns stated that Putin’s invasion of Ukraine was “already a disaster.”
He stated that the Russian dictator originally underestimated the desire and ability of the Ukrainian people to fight his invasion, and that he continues to severely underestimate the will of the West to back Kyiv and wage economic war against Russia.
President Zelensky declared on Friday that a rapid strike by Ukrainian forces breached Russian lines and plunged deep into occupied territory, liberating more than 30 communities in the Kharkiv region.
More than 30 communities in the Kharkiv region have been liberated as a result of a rapid onslaught by Ukrainian forces that shattered Russian lines and struck deep into seized territory.
On Thursday, September 8, a commanding officer of an anti-air unit of the Ukraine’s Armed Forces loads a rocket launcher into his SUV in preparation to support infantry in liberating Balakliya in eastern Ukraine.
The offensive caught the Russian lines off guard in a vulnerable stretch of their front, threatening a vital supply hub used by Russian forces in the east.
In Donetsk region, eastern Ukraine, on September 7, Ukrainian soldiers drive towards Bakhmut as Russia’s attack on Ukraine continues.
During its counteroffensive, the Ukrainian high command has enforced a media blackout and prevented reporters from entering the front line, leaving pro-Russian sources to acknowledge their losses.
Ganchev stated on state television, “The enemy is being delayed as much as possible, but some settlements have already fallen under the control of Ukrainian armed formations.”
Previously, he had stated that his administration was attempting to evacuate citizens from cities such as Izium, the principal Russian bastion and logistics hub in the province and one of the major objectives of the Ukrainian offensive.
Russian military bloggers and other sources have stated that Ukrainian spearhead units had reached the banks of the Oskil River near Senkove, less than eight kilometers from the July-captured Luhansk region.
As Ukrainian mechanized soldiers enter the city, there have been unconfirmed reports of intense fighting to the north of Izium.
The surprise attack began with a strong artillery barrage against Russian positions in the region of the important town of Balakliya on Tuesday, September 6. Thursday has been designated as the day to conquer the town, according to Ukraine.
‘We do not control Balakliya. There are attempts to evict the Ukrainian soldiers, but there are severe fighting and our men are held back on the approaches,’ Ganchev said.
“Now that the Russian reserves have arrived, our forces are fighting back,” he added.
Video depicts Ukrainian soldiers uncovering the charred remains of enemy tanks.
In one touching video, Russian-speaking, weeping women are shown running to embrace Ukrainian troops as they move into a town.
“How long we waited for you,” one said.
A soldier responds, “It’s all right.”
A woman tells the Ukrainian liberator, “We have prayed so long for your return.”
Thank you for returning.
Left: Ukrainian troops, purportedly from the Kraken Special Branch, pose with their rifles in front of a Ukrainian flag while standing or squatting on top of a lowered Russian flag. A soldier poses on what looks to be the stairs of a government building. He is grinning from ear to ear as he holds his weapon aloft. At his feet, a Russian tricolor and a red Soviet Union flag are in shreds, and above him, the Ukrainian flag’s yellow and blue is visible on the building.
Ukrainian army overran abandoned Russian encampment where food was still cooking on the stove, surprising the defenders, who were reportedly primarily warriors from the puppet state of DNR.
Ukrainian armoured tank battalions were able to break through Russian lines and advance towards the Russian-held city of Kupyansk, a key transportation center for Russian forces in the Donbas.
If Izium and Kupyansk fell to Ukrainian liberators, it would have significant strategic ramifications for Russian soldiers throughout the entire eastern front.