The UK’s central intelligence agency Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) said some soldiers Russia Of Ukraine refused to carry out the invasion order.
Speaking on a trip to Canberra, the Director of CGHQ, Sir Jeremy Fleming, said Russian President Vladimir Putin had also respectfully assessed the situation and the movement of his troops in Ukraine which is currently reported to be in decline.
“It seems that Putin has grossly misjudged the situation. Obviously, he has misjudged the resistance of the Ukrainian people,” Fleming said on Wednesday (30/3).
Fleming said Putin was overestimating Russia’s military capabilities to secure a quick victory in Ukraine.
“We’ve seen Russian soldiers – lacking weapons and morale – refuse to carry out orders, sabotage their own equipment, and even accidentally shoot down their own planes,” Fleming said without elaborating on when it happened. CNN.
Fleming said senior Russian advisers and officials are also afraid to talk about the real situation in Ukraine.
“We believe Putin’s advisers are afraid to tell the truth, what happened and the extent of this misjudgment should be clear to the ruling regime,” Fleming said.
Fleming also said that Britain’s National Cybersecurity Center had seen “the continued intent of Russia to disrupt the Ukrainian government and military systems.”
Fleming said his agency had also looked at indicators showing Russian cyber actors were seeking targets in countries that opposed the Kremlin’s actions.
He also said it was “obvious” that Russia was using foreign mercenaries and fighters to support its forces – including the Wagner group.
“The group works as a shadow branch of the Russian military, providing nonsensical denials for riskier operations,” Fleming said.
He added that Wagner’s forces were now ready to send large numbers of personnel to Ukraine to fight to help Russia.
“They are considering removing troops from other conflicts and recruiting new fighters to increase the numbers,” he said.
“These soldiers will likely be used as cannon fodder to try to limit Russian military losses,” Fleming added.
Regarding China’s role, Fleming said there was a risk for Russia and China regarding the two countries getting too close to the Ukraine conflict.
“Russia understands that in the long term, China will become stronger militarily and economically. Some of their interests are in conflict; Russia could be alienated from alliance (with China),” he said.
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