Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24 killed thousands, displaced millions, and raised fears of a wider conflict between Russia and the United States. read more The head of the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), Jeremy Fleming, said that President Vladimir Putin had “massively misjudged” the capabilities of Russia’s once powerful armed forces, while underestimating both the resistance of the Ukrainian people and the determination of the West. which punished Moscow with heavily coordinated sanctions. . Sign up now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register “Putin has misjudged the situation en masse,” Fleming said in a speech at the Canberra National University of Australia, according to a transcript of his remarks. “We believe Putin’s advisers are afraid to tell him the truth.” Citing new information, Fleming said there was evidence that Russian soldiers had low morale and were not well equipped. “We have seen Russian soldiers – without weapons and morale – refuse to carry out orders, sabotage their own equipment and even accidentally shoot down their own aircraft,” Fleming said. Reuters could not independently confirm GCHQ’s analysis. GCHQ, which gathers communications from around the world to detect and stop threats to Britain, has close ties to the US National Security Agency and the Australian, Canadian and New Zealand consortiums. called “Five Eyes”. GCHQ Director Jeremy Fleming delivers a speech as he meets Britain’s Queen Elizabeth during her visit to the Watergate House to celebrate the centenary of the GCHQ (Government Communications Head Quarters) in London, UK, 14 February Han / PU McHay 2019. REU File photo Russia’s Defense Ministry says its armed forces are professionals and perform their duty in Ukraine with considerable success. He says the West has spread lies about the operation in an attempt to oust Russia. The United States estimates that Russia has a failure rate of up to 60% for some of its guided missiles, three U.S. officials told Reuters. read more Putin was misled by advisers who were too scared to tell him how bad the war in Ukraine was and how damaging Western sanctions were, US and European officials said on Wednesday. read more The Kremlin did not comment immediately. Putin says the “special military operation” in Ukraine is necessary because the United States was using Ukraine to threaten Russia and Moscow had to defend itself against the persecution of Russian-speakers by Ukraine. Ukraine says it is fighting an imperial-style land grab and that Putin’s allegations of genocide are nonsense. Russia says the West has effectively declared an economic war on Russia, so it will now turn east, away from Europe, and build a partnership with China. “But there are risks for both (and more so for China) to be very closely aligned,” Fleming said. “Russia understands that in the long run, China will become increasingly powerful militarily and economically. Some of their interests are in conflict. Russia could withdraw from the equation.” Sign up now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register Report by Guy Faulconbridge. curated by Grant McCool Our role models: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
