Russia has “shot itself in the foot” as Putin continues to falter in his efforts to carry out a “masterplan”, according to a foreign affairs analyst.
It comes following new allegations over Russia’s operations in the North Sea, which are reported to be an attempt to sabotage wind farms and communications cables.
Public broadcasters in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland claim the Kremlin has laid out a fleet of vessels disguised as fishing trawlers and research vessels in the North Sea.
Putin continues to struggle on with his war in Ukraine despite initial hopes of deposing the government within days not coming to the fore.
Putin has 'shot himself in the foot,' according to Philip Ingram
Reuters / PA
Speaking on GB News, foreign affairs expert Philip Ingram MBE said Russia has “shot itself in the foot” as Russians grow weary of their President’s continued efforts.
Speaking to Tom Harwood, he said: “It’s a strategic failure, their attack of Ukraine, and Putin is doing everything he can to try and rescue something back.
“What he wants to do is elongate the conflict in Ukraine for as long as possible, hoping the West will start to suffer from Ukraine fatigue.
“At the time when we’re going to be seeing US Presidential elections and UK Government elections, he will try and do everything he can in the information sphere to create as much division and angst as possible.
Putin has suffered a 'strategic failure', according to a foreign affairs expert
Reu“This will be in the hope of splitting Western support in Ukraine. He will keep plugging away and save something for himself.
“But he has failed strategically so far.”
North Sea infrastructure has become an area of focus for the UK Government as they grow increasingly fearful over its safety.
The UK’s increasingly strained relationship with Russia has led to officials harbouring fears over what the Kremlin has in store, with the North Sea earmarked as a possible achilles heel.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace stressed the importance of protecting undersea internet cables during the Joint Expeditionary Force summit with European counterparts in Edinburgh last year.
He pinpointed Norway’s oil and gas infrastructure, warning it was “particularly vulnerable”, with it becoming Europe’s main supplier.
Two dedicated subsea surveillance ships have been purchased by the Royal Navy and are expected to come into service next year.
Ingram told GB News that Russia sending out spies across the world is of little surprise.
He said: “Russia has had spy trawlers from the year dot. They’ve been going around coastlines sucking up communications and bringing that into their communication game.
“Critical national infrastructure is one of their potential targets. They’re keeping their planning options open by sending these spy ships around different countries to look at their critical national infrastructure.”
