Kremlin begins ‘active discussions’ on who will replace Putin

Vladimir Putin is unlikely to last until the end of the war in Ukraine, with “active discussions” happening in Russia over who will replace him, the eastern neighbour’s spy chief has claimed. The comments come from Major General Kyrylo Budanov, Ukraine’s head of intelligence, as Russia’s ruling class grow frustrated with Putin’s invasion. Russian troops are now fleeing large parts of eastern Ukraine as the opposition continue their fierce counter offensive strategy, with a focus on recapturing the city of Kherson.Some 40,000 Russian troops are regrouping around the region and according to Major General Budanov, it includes some of the “most trained and most capable Russian units”.He believes Kherson could be retaken by the end of next month and added that a counter-offensive to recapture Crimea could happen next year as Ukraine continues to make progress against opposition forces.The spy chief also believes the war started by Putin could lead to the Russian President’s own downfall.Major General Budanov told The War Zone: “It’s unlikely that he survives it. And currently, there are active discussions happening in Russia about who’d be there to replace him.” Putin news: ‘Active discussions’ happening in Russia about replacing the President – claim (Image: GETTY) Putin news: The Russian President is coming under huge pressure over the war in Ukraine (Image: GETTY)He also claimed the continued attack from Russia on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure was damaging but not “critical”.The intelligence boss also refused to confirm or deny whether Ukraine was responsible for the attack on the Kerch Bridge in Crimea earlier this month.It was seen as inflicting a devastating blow against Putin as it is the only bridge linking Russia and Crimea, which is critical for Russian supply lines.The comments from the spy chief come with two former army officers warning Putin’s reign of power and destruction in Russia could be brought to a thunderous end from within Moscow over his disastrous war in Ukraine.READ MORE: Putin ‘under threat’ as rising Kremlin star confronts him Putin news: Russia was rocked by the explosion on the Kerch Bridge in Crimea (Image: GETTY)Russia has been hit by scores of devastating losses in the battlefield and combined with the Ukrainian counter offensive efforts pushing opposition troops backwards, Putin’s war strategy is coming under serious scrutiny.There has also been widespread speculation Russia is quickly running out of weapons during the war, while his partial mobilisation of troops saw thousands of Russians attempt to flee the country.Colonel Richard Kemp, a retired British Army officer who served for nearly 30 years, told Express.co.uk: “There are definitely rumblings among the political elites in Moscow and dissent among some of his close military allies.”They and politicians in Russia are making very unusual public dissent. It is very possible some of the political elites in Moscow might be planning to get rid of Putin and that is a very distinct possibility.DON’T MISS’Massive’ attack on Black Sea fleet halts vital Ukrainian grain deal [REPORT]Truss’s phone hacked by Putin’s spies looking for ’embarrassing’ info [LATEST]Russia’s Black Sea Fleet struck in astonishing marine drone strike [VIDEO] Putin news: Russian troops have been on the backfoot during the war in Ukraine (Image: GETTY) Putin news: Russia has suffered several devastating losses during the war (Image: GETTY)”You can’t say it will happen and I know it’s not easy, but I think it is certainty a likelihood.”Retired US General Ben Hodges, the former Commanding Officer of the US Army Europe, warned there is a “power struggle going on inside the Kremlin” with many becoming increasingly unhappy with Putin.He also believes there is a “widening gap” between the Russian Genral Staff and Putin, with support fast plummeting for the President.General Hodges told Express.co.uk: “There is a significant power struggle going on inside the Kremlin. You have people that are even more ultra-nationalist and hawkish than Putin that are unhappy with how it’s going. Putin news: The Kerch Bridge explosion has heavily impacted Russia’s supply routes (Image: GETTY)”When you go below that, there does seem to be a widening gap between the general staff and Putin himself.”I don’t think Putin trusts his generals much anymore and that’s why they have finally found Sergei Surovikin, whose two redeeming qualities seem to be brutality and loyalty.”You can’t conceal this from the general population forever – the number of casualties, the fact this is going to continue, the impact of sanctions.”There is a large percentage of the population that think this is great and were cheering the recent missile strikes on Ukraine, but I’m under no illusion there is going to be a massive uprising in Russia, and I don’t think Putin can count on unbridled support any longer.”