Vladimir Putin’s regime is ready to “pounce in” at any moment and spark a violent crisis, a former CIA boss has warned.
Former senior agent Glenn Corn said Britain and the US should prepare for bloodshed as Putin’s popularity in Russia is rapidly declining.
The dictator’s war in Ukraine has weakened his control as he faces mounting losses on the battlefield and economic collapse at home.
And as signs of regime collapse emerge, experts have warned that the consequences will be “chaos”.
“The US and Europe need to be prepared for this kind of event,” former senior CIA executive Glenn Corn told The Sun.
Nearly 1.2 million Russian soldiers have been killed, wounded or missing since Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine more than four years ago.
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The war has plunged Russia’s economy into crisis, with defense costs rising to 15.5 trillion rubles (£144 billion) by 2025, while food prices have risen 18.6 per cent in just two years.
Now even staunch Kremlin supporters are breaking ranks to turn against their fanatical dictator.
But if Putin’s regime collapses, experts say Russia’s aggression toward the West will continue.
Anthony Gleize, director of European studies at Brunel University, told The Sun: “Putin has corrupted Russia. His successors, whether political or military, will carry on his policies.”
“We should expect continued fighting in Ukraine but also take action against NATO.
“Either along its eastern edge – which puts the UK in the firing line – or from the Arctic.”
The dictator has reorganized the state, the economy, and even the school system during his war in Ukraine.
Dr Ruth Dearmond, senior lecturer in the Department of War Studies at King’s College, said: “The UK should recognize that Putin sees his invasion as a ‘war against the West’.
“And among Western states, Britain is the number one target of the Russian government’s hatred.”
Analysts say Britain must urgently build up its defense capabilities in the face of Russia’s brazen aggression.
“The UK needs to spend more on defence, and do it more efficiently,” Dr Dearmond said.
“For decades, too much money has been wasted in the defense procurement process; the UK cannot continue to do so.”
For now, the West must keep Putin in check — who could use the “threat of aggression” to “keep Europe off balance,” said Korn, the former CIA chief.
He doubts the Kremlin Czar’s ability to strike, but warns that Britain must improve its relations with the US if it hopes to defeat the dictator.
The alliance between Britain and the US is at a 70-year low after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer refused to back Donald Trump’s war in Iran.
Corn said: “This creates the impression that the Europeans want the US to serve their interests, but will not respond when called upon by Washington for assistance.”
Europe’s “short-sighted” response would open the door for Moscow to exploit America’s sense of betrayal, Corn said.
And Russia is benefiting from the divisions emerging in the West.
Moscow is waging information warfare on its enemies to thwart threats to Putin’s control.
Corn said: “Russia is using social media and disinformation tactics to promote conspiracy theories, pitting its adversaries against each other and distracting attention from Moscow’s own internal weaknesses.”
Meanwhile, American dominance during a war with Iran would be a warning to the Russian security establishment.
The US has launched sustained attacks on Iran for weeks, draining its resources and killing many of its most powerful players.
Korn said: “Russian military technology has been shown to be no less effective and competitive on the battlefield with American and Israeli technology.
“The US controls Iran’s skies from across the Atlantic while Moscow cannot control its skies over Ukraine, a country bordering Russia.
“In reality, Moscow cannot protect its skies from repeated Ukrainian airstrikes, which have hit targets inside Russia on several occasions.
“This reality is offensive to many Russians, including the security establishment.”
It comes amid rumors that the Russian establishment is closer than ever to staging a coup to remove Putin and protect its assets.
Russia’s oligarchs and top officials have long been the backbone of Putin’s regime, providing control over the economy, security forces and state media.
But since the war broke out, many of Russia’s wealthiest figures have been stuck in the kingdom due to Western sanctions.
Insiders previously told The Sun that for the first time in generations, the interests of the ruling elite do not coincide with those of the dictator.
Putin is also “alone” in terms of foreign support.
Corn said: “The example of Iran again shows that it has a limited ability to support its allies.
“Their number one partner is now China – which does not view Russia as an inferior, equal partner.”
Putin has tried to convince the world that he is close to the US President.
But Corn said: “If he goes too far against Trump, it could have an immediate impact on him.
“They also have to understand that Trump is a one-term president and the next U.S. president may be unwilling to try to engage Putin, which will further isolate him.”
In recent weeks, Ukraine has intensified it strategic bombing campaign Against Russia’s oil industry.
The attacks caused significant damage to Moscow’s war economy.
It comes like this Ukraine expands its defense cooperation with European partnersWhich includes agreements with the UK on drone supply and production.
In a scathing response, the Kremlin shamelessly listed dozens of European locations they would target with Russian missiles.
Russia’s Ministry of Defense (MOD) said the alleged war supply hotspots were “increasingly drawing these countries into war with Russia”.
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, turned Kremlin propaganda puppet, said Western leaders should take the threat “literally.”
As Britain’s relations with the United States become strained, Britain must strengthen its alliances elsewhere.
Dr Dearmond said: “The UK needs to work with other countries inside and outside NATO to protect itself from Russian threats.
“Ukraine, with its unique expertise in fighting a major war against Russia, will be an important partner in that coalition.”
