Putin’s fragile grip on Russia has been shaken

Ukraine’s march into Kursk has sown doubt around president, Defence Secretary tells The Telegraph

Ukraine’s surprise ground assault in Russia has “sown doubt” inside the country about Vladimir Putin, the Defence Secretary has said.
In an article for The Telegraph, John Healey said the Russian president’s “cabal” may be facing growing internal pressure.
The intervention comes after Volodymyr Zelensky sent thousands of troops into Russia as part of the surprise ground assault that has captured almost 500 sq miles of enemy territory.
Mr Healey said the Kursk operation on Aug 6, the largest foreign attack on Russian territory since the Second World War, had caused the Russian people to question their president, exposing his increasingly fragile grip on the country.
It has led to a crackdown on social media and messaging apps by the Kremlin to stop dissenting voices over Ukraine’s counter-strike.
In what are the first comments by a senior government figure on the impact of Kyiv’s counter-strike within Russia, Mr Healey wrote: “Ukraine’s defensive operation in Kursk is a reminder to all Ukraine’s supporters that wars can shift at short notice, and continued military support for Ukraine remains as crucial as ever. 
“It has sown doubt inside Russia, exposing Putin’s Kremlin cabal to the consequences of their aggression.”
Earlier this week, Kyiv bombarded Russia with its largest-ever drone attack, forcing Moscow to close airports because of fears of further attacks.
Western officials told The Telegraph that Ukraine’s ability to enter western Russia in a “complete tactical surprise” had “undermined” the Russian narrative that had been taking hold, in which the country had “limitless resources, and Russian victory was inevitable”.
One official said: “This has been a success for President Zelensky and the Ukrainian armed forces.”
Putin has not formally addressed the Russian nation about Ukraine’s invasion, instead dismissing it as a “new normal”, which the officials added showed the pressure he was feeling over what he called Ukraine’s “provocation”.
Despite Putin’s reluctance to give credence to Ukraine’s advance, defence sources told The Telegraph that intelligence showed the wider Russian population was increasingly concerned with the unfolding situation.
As such, the Kremlin has clamped down on social media and messaging apps in order to keep a stranglehold on the flow of information within Russia.
Its telecommunications regulator has reportedly blocked the use of the messaging service Signal. Signal is favoured by independent Russian journalists and opposition activists to evade the Russian government’s pervasive system of electronic monitoring, notably the FSB’s System of Operational Investigative Measures.
It follows the disruption of WhatsApp and YouTube in Russia.
Earlier this week, Mr Zelensky complained that British aid to Kyiv had begun to wane. Referring to UK military assistance, he said “the situation has slowed down recently”.
It comes as the US, UK and France have been engulfed in a row with the Ukrainian president over a ban imposed by Britain that prevents him from using Storm Shadow missiles outside of his own territory.
Sir Keir Starmer has upheld the Conservative-era ban on using UK-made Storm Shadows to strike targets inside Russia amid concerns it could lead to escalation with Moscow, despite Mr Zelensky’s repeated requests following his country’s incursion into Kursk.
The long-range missiles were originally sent to Ukraine by the UK to help push Russian troops out of Crimea.
Writing as Ukraine marks 33 years since its Declaration of Independence, Mr Healey said: “Putin’s complaints that Ukraine’s offensive is a ‘provocation’ are akin to a playground bully protesting because his smaller victim has had the temerity to fight back.
“Ukraine has the right to defend itself against Russia’s illegal attacks, including the option to carry out incursions within Russia, as long as they are compliant with international law. And we can be proud that British weapons are helping Ukraine protect itself and push back Putin’s forces. Russia can have no objections.”
Mr Healey said Ukraine “must prevail” in its war with Russia, adding: “All of us who support Ukraine should not shy away from helping them to do so, despite Putin’s threats.
“This isn’t just critically important for the people of Ukraine. The defence of Europe, and ultimately the UK, starts on the front lines that run through Ukraine, because if Putin succeeds in his aims there, he will not stop.”
According to Kyiv, its forces have continued to advance in the Kursk region and have destroyed key bridges and pontoons.
Western officials said Russia was suffering 1,000 casualties a day, which is higher than the rate at which it can replace them. “Russia is essentially losing now more than it is able to recruit, and there is no sign of being able to scale up contract recruitment,” they said.
By John Healey
Thirty-three years ago today, Ukraine issued their Declaration of Independence. It was a promise of a brighter, more prosperous future as a sovereign democracy, free from the control of Soviet Russia.
On Saturday, the Ukrainians mark their independence day with war. This is an existential fight. A fight to remain a free and independent nation in the face of Putin’s brutal illegal invasion.
Ukraine has always been the underdog against Russia’s massively bigger forces and resources. Today, we salute the Ukrainian people. They continue to fight with huge courage, military and civilians alike. They fight for freedoms that we ourselves must never take for granted.
We must ensure our Ukrainian friends know that we will stand steadfast by their side for as long as it takes.  And we will not be silent in the face of Putin’s aggression.
That’s why today the UK is leading a campaign calling on people across Britain and beyond to let Ukrainians know they have our support. On social media, we ask you to “make noise for Ukraine” and share those posts that do so.
Because alongside the military and economic support that we offer to Ukraine, we have also offered our friendship and solidarity, including the thousands of British families who have welcomed Ukrainians into their homes.
I am proud the UK is still united for Ukraine, over 900 days after Putin’s full-scale invasion.
As President Zelensky and his people continue their fight, our new UK Government has stepped up Britain’s support and made clear our unwavering commitment to stand by Ukraine for however long it takes.
At the Nato summit in Washington, Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, confirmed that we will provide £3 billion a year in support to Ukraine for as long as it takes. We are supplying anti-tank missiles, artillery and armoured vehicles to help push back Putin.
On a visit to Ukraine shortly after becoming Defence Secretary, I ordered a new package of military kit to be sent from Britain, together with the faster delivery of existing orders. 
A few weeks later, we welcomed President Zelensky to the UK – the first foreign leader in decades to sit at the UK Cabinet table – while I signed a new defence export treaty with Rustem Umerov, the Ukrainian defence minister. And we remain in ongoing dialogue with the Ukrainians and our allies about how best to support Ukraine’s military effort.
Ukraine must prevail in this war, and all of us who support Ukraine should not shy away from helping them to do so – despite Putin’s threats.
This isn’t just critically important for the people of Ukraine. The defence of Europe, and ultimately the UK, starts on the front lines that run through Ukraine – because if Putin succeeds in his aims there, he will not stop.
Ukraine’s defensive operation in Kursk is a reminder to all Ukraine’s supporters that wars can shift at short notice, and continued military support for Ukraine remains as crucial as ever.  It has sown doubt inside Russia, exposing Putin’s Kremlin cabal to the consequences of their aggression.
And it has boosted morale among the Ukrainian people, whose extraordinary resilience over the past two and half years has earned the admiration of the world.
Putin’s complaints that Ukraine’s offensive is a “provocation” are akin to a playground bully protesting because his smaller victim has had the temerity to fight back.
Ukraine has the right to defend itself against Russia’s illegal attacks, including the option to carry out incursions within Russia, as long as they are compliant with international law. And we can be proud that British weapons are helping Ukraine protect itself and push back Putin’s forces. Russia can have no objections.
On Ukrainian Independence Day, we send a message that the UK will never forget the heroic people and brave armed forces of Ukraine. That Britain and our Nato allies will stand together with the Ukrainian nation against Putin’s unprovoked invasion. And that our national security begins on Ukraine’s front line.
Until Russian guns are silent, we will make noise for Ukraine. We will stand by Ukraine. For as long as it takes. Slava Ukraini.
John Healey is the Defence Secretary