Vladimir Putin is giving up on winning the war in Ukraine via traditional military means and is instead looking to unconventional methods, according to a former MI6 intelligence officer.
With setbacks mounting on the battlefield, Russia has stooped to bombarding the Ukrainian ports of Remi and Izmail on the River Danube, which are home to grain storage facilities.
The port of Odesa has also come under relentless nightly air raids since Russia pulled out of the Black Sea grain deal on 17 July.
Former MI6 intelligence officer, Christopher Steele, said: "Russia's almost abandoned the idea of winning this war militarily in any conventional sense.
An interior view shows the Transfiguration Cathedral damaged during a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Odesa, Ukraine July 23, 2023.
Reuters/Nina Liashonok
"What we're seeing is, in effect, an attack on free commerce."
Speaking to Sky News, he added: "Putin certainly has ambitions to challenge the way that the world market works and the Western system, as he sees it, of governance in the world.”
Odesa had previously been relatively spared the brunt of Russia’s attack for its importance in the world grain trade and rich history.
Known as the Pearl of the Black Sea, the majority of people speak Russian and there are deep links with Russia’s most revered figures, from Catherine the Great to Leo Tolstoy.
After bombing a holy place of worship in Odesa, Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko visit the Valaam Monastery in the Republic of Karelia, Russia July 24, 2023.
Sputnik/Alexander Demyanchuk/Pool via Reuters
The UK Ministry of Defence said: "Since Russia failed to renew the deal, the Kremlin likely feels less politically constrained and is attempting to strike targets in Odesa because it believes Ukraine is storing military assets in these areas.”
Odesa Mayor Hennadii Trukhanov responded furiously to Russia’s strike on the cathedral on Sunday: "If you only knew how much Odesa hates you. Not only hates you. Despises you.
“You're fighting small children, the Orthodox church. Your rockets even fall on cemeteries. You must hardly know us Odesans. You will not break us, just make us angrier."
Volodymyr Zelensky and Rishi Sunak have spoken on the phone today to discuss further defence cooperation.
A member of the security services investigates the damaged building following a reported drone attack in Moscow, Russia, July 24, 2023.
Reuters/Maxim Shemetov
No10 said: "Discussing the Black Sea grain initiative, the leaders agreed on the importance of ensuring grain was able to be exported from Ukraine to reach international markets.”
"The prime Minister said the UK was working closely with Turkey on restoring the grain deal, and we would continue to use our role as chair of the UN Security Council to further condemn Russia's behaviour.
"Russia was increasingly looking to target merchant vessels in the Black Sea area and the UK was carefully monitoring the situation alongside our partners.”
President Zelensky said: "We discussed our further defence cooperation, the course of Ukrainian offensive operations.”
UKRAINE WAR LATEST:
- Moscow building goes up in flames after being struck by Ukrainian drone
- Two Putin allies mysteriously die in just 48 hours as Russia faces more Ukraine setbacks
- Vladimir Putin conscripts PENSIONERS to fight Ukraine as Russian President becomes desperate
- Russian military base explodes as Ukraine retaliates over grain strikes
A view shows the Transfiguration Cathedral damaged by Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Odesa, Ukraine July 23, 2023.
Reuters/Yan Dobronosov
He added: "We must defend Odesa."
The UK has provided around £4.6billion in military assistance to Ukraine so far, as well as £1.5billion in economic and humanitarian assistance.
Christopher Steele also expressed the belief that Russia had failed in its initial objectives, while its troops were suffering from weakening morale and poor leadership.
On the number of generals speaking out against the war effort, Steele said: "That is really significant and indicates a much deeper problem within the Russian high command, and we're not seeing those divisions within Ukraine.”
An interior view shows the Transfiguration Cathedral damaged during a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Odesa, Ukraine July 23, 2023.
Reuters/Nina Liashonok
Russia reportedly conducted its sixth air attack in a month on Kyiv using Iranian-made Shahed drones.
Meanwhile, Russia claimed to have shot down two Ukraine drones trying to attack a ship in the Black Sea, and two more drones over Moscow.
Following the reports, the White House refused to condone attacks on Russian soil, though Ukraine has denied any direct involvement.
White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters in a press briefing: "As a general matter we do not support attacks inside of Russia.”
Nevertheless, the Biden administration has approved a further $400million (£312million) in military aid for Ukraine.