Former MI6 spy Christopher Steele has stated Vladimir Putin 'can't survive' defeat in Ukraine as the Russian president faces mounting tensions at home over his army's failures.

Yesterday, it was reported that Ukraine had made remarkable advances in a counter-offensive that caught the Russian Army by surprise.

A lightning attack by Ukrainian forces smashed Russian lines last week and punched deep into occupied territory, liberating more than 30 settlements in the Kharkiv region, President Zelensky announced on Friday.

Today, Ukrainian forces are still pushing north in the Kharkiv region, while videos and pictures emerged yesterday showing troops standing victoriously on top of Russian flags in the liberated city of Balakliaa. 

In a tweet, former MI6 officer Christopher Steele wrote: 'The Ukrainian counter-offensive in Kharkiv and Kherson has so far exceeded all expectations. 

'If the ragbag Russian army of undisciplined drunks and thieves is routed, as now seems possible, it will be the end for Putin. Despite his propaganda machine, he can't survive defeat in war.'