Latest news with #BruceJones
The Sun
16-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Trump says he'll meet Putin ‘as soon as we can' as Ukraine-Russia talks FINALLY begin…with little chance of progress
Putin is 'scared of being assassinated' over his failing war Vladimir Putin could be a "dead man walking" as he faces assassination because of his disastrous war on Ukraine, experts claim. The ageing and paranoid despot has reportedly bolstered up his security teams and is often afraid to leave his Kremlin palace due to potential killers looking for him. Former commander of the UK's Joint Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Regiment, Col Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, told the Mirror: 'There are analysts, people who know better than I, who believe Putin is now a dead man walking, a spent force whose war in Ukraine will cause his end. 'He is incredibly paranoid, as we see with his increased security and I am very reliably informed by people who would know that he has at least two dopplegangers or lookalikes. "He has been acting like a worried Czar and the Bolsheviks are gathering at the gates because internally things are looking really terrible. Russians cannot even buy a loaf of bread.' As Bruce Jones, one of the UK's leading analysts in Russian intelligence and the military added: 'Things never end democratically in Russia and the situation is bad for Putin. "He has had people killed for years and some in his military have already been dealt with in such a way - he knows the way this goes for a leader in Moscow who is not making good decisions. "So he is probably right to be paranoid.'
Daily Mail
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Putin rarely leaves Kremlin amid speculation about his security
Russian despot Vladimir Putin is a 'dead man walking' who rarely steps foot outside the Kremlin, British military experts have claimed. The health of Putin, 72, has long been suspected to be deteriorating with his increasing age, and now experts have said that his brutal invasion of Ukraine has sapped much of his remaining energy. Former commander of the UK's Joint Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Regiment, Colonel Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, told the Mirror : 'There are analysts, people who know better than I, who believe Putin is now a dead man walking, a spent force whose war in Ukraine will cause his end.' Bruce Jones, one of the UK's leading analysts of Russia, added: 'Things never end democratically in Russia and the situation is bad for Putin. He has had people killed for years and some in his military have already been dealt with in such a way - he knows the way this goes for a leader in Moscow who is not making good decisions. So he is probably right to be paranoid.' And Colonel Richard Kemp, former commander of UK forces in Afghanistan , added: 'There are plenty of people who would want to have Putin bumped off. But his security is so tight that there is a real question over whether that is at all achievable and I believe that for the moment it is unlikely to happen.' The speculation comes as the Kremlin yesterday revealed that it had left Putin 's name off the Russian delegation attending talks with Ukraine in Turkey. Moscow said that its envoy of four would not include the president who began the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. It is not currently known why Putin, who did not say whether he would attend, has not confirmed his appearance at the talks. US President Donald Trump will also not be attending the peace talks in Turkey, a US official said in response to the Kremlin's announcement. Trump previously said that he may join the warring leaders in the Eurasian country if Putin were also to join. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is among U.S. officials due to be in Turkey for the talks. Ukraine's presidential adviser, Mykhailo Podolyak, said Volodymyr Zelensky will sit at the table only with the Russian leader. Putin proposed restarting direct talks 'without preconditions' on Thursday in Istanbul about the more than three-year war. Zelenskyy then challenged the Kremlin leader to meet in Turkey in person. The four who will appear in Turkey, where Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said he would travel to for peace talks, in his stead include adviser Vladimir Medinsky and Deputy Defence Minister Alexander Fomin, who took part in the last talks held between the two sides in 2022 in the weeks following Moscow's full-scale invasion of its neighbour. Also named as part of the delegation was Igor Kostyukov, director of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the GRU, Russia's Foreign Military Intelligence Agency. Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said on Wednesday he would try to urge Putin to attend the talks. Lula has maintained close ties with Putin despite Russia's invasion of Ukraine - a position that has caused tensions with the Kyiv government and raised eyebrows in the West. Lula on Wednesday stopped over in Moscow on his return from a state visit in China, where he told journalists: 'When I get to Moscow, I'm going to try to talk to Putin. It won't cost me anything to say, `Hey, comrade Putin, go to Istanbul and negotiate.' They did not meet, but the Kremlin said he and Putin spoke by phone. The Kremlin said Lula referenced the peace talks and 'intends to do everything in his power to ensure their success.' It said Putin expressed gratitude for efforts to find ways to resolve the conflict. The US and Western European leaders have threatened Russia with further sanctions if there is no progress in halting the fighting in Ukraine. France's foreign minister said he is working with US Senator Lindsey Graham, a leading ally of Trump, on a potential new package of what he called 'devastating' sanctions. The measures would aim to 'asphyxiate once and for all the Russian economy' and squeeze Russia 'by the throat,' with possible 500% import tariffs on Russian oil and countries that buy it, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said. He told French broadcaster BFMTV he would see Graham on Thursday in Turkey. Sanctions already adopted by Ukraine's allies have failed to stop Putin. Russian forces have been readying a fresh military offensive to maximize pressure on Ukraine and strengthen the Kremlin's negotiating position, Ukrainian government and military analysts say. The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington think tank, said Tuesday that Russia is 'attempting to prolong negotiations to extract additional concessions from the United States and while making additional battlefield advances.' Want more stories like this from the Daily Mail? Hit the follow button above for more of the news you need.
Daily Mail
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Putin is a 'dead man walking' and rarely steps foot outside the Kremlin, experts claim - as Russian dictator's name is left off delegation joining peace talks with Ukraine in Turkey
Russian despot Vladimir Putin is a 'dead man walking' who rarely steps foot outside the Kremlin, British military experts have claimed. The health of Putin, 72, has long been suspected to be deteriorating with his increasing age, and now experts have said that his brutal invasion of Ukraine has sapped much of his remaining energy. Former commander of the UK's Joint Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Regiment, Coloner Hamish de Bretton-Gordeon, told the Mirror: 'There are analysts, people who know better than I, who believe Putin is now a dead man walking, a spent force whose war in Ukraine will cause his end.' Bruce Jones, one of the UK's leading analysts of Russia, added: 'Things never end democratically in Russia and the situation is bad for Putin. He has had people killed for years and some in his military have already been dealt with in such a way - he knows the way this goes for a leader in Moscow who is not making good decisions. So he is probably right to be paranoid.' And Colonel Richard Kemp, former commander of UK forces in Afghanisation, added: 'There are plenty of people who would want to have Putin bumped off. But his security is so tight that there is a real question over whether that is at all achievable and I believe that for the moment it is unlikely to happen.' The speculation comes after the Kremlin today revealed that it had Putin 's name off the Russian delegation attending talks with Ukraine in Turkey. Moscow said that its envoy of four would not include the president who began the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. It is not currently known why Putin, who did not say whether he would attend, has not confirmed his appearance at the talks. US President Donald Trump will also not be attending the peace talks in Turkey, a US official said in response to the Kremlin's announcement. Trump previously said that he may join the warring leaders in the Eurasian country if Putin were also to join. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is among U.S. officials due to be in Turkey for the talks. Ukraine's presidential adviser, Mykhailo Podolyak, said Volodymyr Zelensky will sit at the table only with the Russian leader. Putin proposed restarting direct talks 'without preconditions' on Thursday in Istanbul about the more than three-year war. Zelenskyy then challenged the Kremlin leader to meet in Turkey in person. The four who will appear in Turkey, where Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said he would travel to for peace talks, in his stead include adviser Vladimir Medinsky and Deputy Defence Minister Alexander Fomin, who took part in the last talks held between the two sides in 2022 in the weeks following Moscow's full-scale invasion of its neighbour. Also named as part of the delegation was Igor Kostyukov, director of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the GRU, Russia's Foreign Military Intelligence Agency. Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said on Wednesday he would try to urge Putin to attend the talks. Lula has maintained close ties with Putin despite Russia's invasion of Ukraine - a position that has caused tensions with the Kyiv government and raised eyebrows in the West. Lula on Wednesday stopped over in Moscow on his return from a state visit in China, where he told journalists: 'When I get to Moscow, I'm going to try to talk to Putin. It won't cost me anything to say, `Hey, comrade Putin, go to Istanbul and negotiate.' They did not meet, but the Kremlin said he and Putin spoke by phone. The Kremlin said Lula referenced the peace talks and 'intends to do everything in his power to ensure their success.' It said Putin expressed gratitude for efforts to find ways to resolve the conflict. The US and Western European leaders have threatened Russia with further sanctions if there is no progress in halting the fighting in Ukraine. France's foreign minister said he is working with US Senator Lindsey Graham, a leading ally of Trump, on a potential new package of what he called 'devastating' sanctions. The measures would aim to 'asphyxiate once and for all the Russian economy' and squeeze Russia 'by the throat,' with possible 500% import tariffs on Russian oil and countries that buy it, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said. He told French broadcaster BFMTV he would see Graham on Thursday in Turkey. Sanctions already adopted by Ukraine's allies have failed to stop Putin. Russian forces have been readying a fresh military offensive to maximize pressure on Ukraine and strengthen the Kremlin's negotiating position, Ukrainian government and military analysts say. The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington think tank, said Tuesday that Russia is 'attempting to prolong negotiations to extract additional concessions from the United States and while making additional battlefield advances.'
Daily Mirror
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Russian spies set to launch 'terror attacks' on UK as they 'still think it's the Cold War'
Britain and other Ukraine allies are braced for a spike in Russian espionage and sabotage attacks as Kremlin war chiefs drag their heels over United States backed peace proposals, warns an expert Britain and other NATO allies of Ukraine will likely see a chilling spike in espionage and sabotage attacks by Russia because of support for Kyiv, an expert warned last night. It is believed the Kremlin will become frustrated with calls for its invasion of Ukraine to end in a peace deal and step up its attempts to undermine Ukraine's western allies. Bruce Jones, UK-based expert on Russia's military and intelligence networks, believes Moscow's 'hybrid warfare' tactics are poised to break out into more attacks. He told the Daily Mirror: 'Inevitably talks between the West and Russia about a potential ceasefire and armistice have run abruptly into a full stall. This has been brought about because of Ukraine's refusal to take seriously any further suggestions by Russia to help end the conflict. 'At the same time there has been a quiet non-acceptance of Moscow's suggestions by Washington, much to the annoyance of Vladimir Putin. Suggestions and invitations emanating from the Kremlin, will no longer be taken seriously because of its habit of going back on its word in previous negotiations.' 'And Moscow no longer has a chorus of supporting nations and international organisations to back up its claims and demands.' Mr Jones, who has spent decades analysing Russia's military and its doctrine, believes the Kremlin still believes it has the same standing as it did during the Cold War. He added: 'They still think they are still in the Cold War and it's not like that. This means that Moscow can only further its objectives through dramatic if not violent actions; by acts of obstruction against Ukraine and its democratic western allies. To an extent Moscow may have believed its own propaganda and global perspectives and this unrealistic mindset has led to this present overall rejection and impasse. 'The actions of Moscow in the future could include using external services to perform acts of terrorism and of sabotage provoking the West in general, and individual countries particularly such as criminal gangs , in ways that are very sensitive and difficult to respond to. 'For example they can use organisations from a different country that the west might find it too sensitive to punish with retaliatory military action. It could include cyber attacks of course, as we have seen. 'But it could also include armed close quarter and chemical or biological attacks against infrastructure, transportation and health systems, medical networks, banking, financial and consumer services and systems. The use and projection of Cyber warfare would play a very prominent part. 'This would mean the west will have to upgrade public security to a point where it interferes with daily life, causing obstacles and delays at almost every juncture. Photo and additional IDs would have to be produced – causing irritation and bad temper as well as delays. 'Public access would be denied and some companies' premises and public facilities might have to be declared out of bounds - and all of this would cause disenchantment within the public and general discord which is the result Russia wants." Russia's war on Ukraine has smashed its economy while it has also lost well over 900,000 troops to death injury on the frontline. It has even had to resort to taking on thousands of North Korean troops, many of whom have lost their lives in the fighting. In addition it has also lost more than a hundred warplanes, close to 11,000 tanks and incalculable weapons systems after having retreated from battles at haste. It is believed Russian President Vladimir Putin has become increasingly paranoid about his position as his inner-circle are becoming unhappy with the way he has conducted the war.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Micro CATS to revolutionize transit in north Mecklenburg County with on-demand service
CATS is set to launch a new on-demand transit service called Micro CATS in north Mecklenburg County on Feb. 24, replacing the existing Village Rider bus service due to low ridership. Micro CATS aims to address the 'first and last mile' challenges faced by residents in the car-centric towns of Davidson, Huntersville, and Cornelius. The service will use Toyota Sienna minivans to provide point-to-point rides along the I-77 corridor for a fare of $2.20 per trip. 'He doesn't drive; he's special needs, and as a result, he's completely dependent on his mother or me,' said Jack Davis, whose son could benefit from the new service. ALSO READ: CATS presents 4 scenarios for 30-year transit plan for Charlotte 'We like to say it's a hybrid between transit, Uber, and Lyft, but it's still a shared ride experience,' explained Bruce Jones, a CATS official. 'A transit option is needed here, some transit option,' said Trey Fouche, expressing hope for the service's success. Riders will book trips via an app, with no cash payments accepted. The service will operate from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends. CATS officials have identified over twenty zones for potential expansion if the service proves successful. If successful, Micro CATS could provide a much-needed transit solution for North Mecklenburg residents and potentially expand to other areas, offering a new competitor in the ride-share market. VIDEO: CATS presents 4 scenarios for 30-year transit plan for Charlotte
