Putin’s media stooges have made an unfortunate gaffe by televising Richard Moore’s call for Russians to “join hands with us” and spy for the UK.
Channel 1, which is state-owned, aired an hour-long show on the MI6 boss as part of a series on Russia’s “enemies”.
Maria Butina, who was once a Russian spy herself, hosted the show which included a clip of Mr Moore’s plea to Russians made in Prague last summer.
The video message showed the Secret Intelligence Service chief saying Russians were sickened by the war in Ukraine and were thus turning to MI6.
According to The Sun, he said “our door is always open” and “join hands with us”.
Unsurprisingly, the 60-year-old’s call to action was suppressed in Russia, making it all the more curious that it was then broadcast on television.
Academics said that the airing of the appeal has helped Mr Moore’s message reach millions of would-be spies, many of whom are believed to be working in Russian politics.
Russian expert Professor Mark Galeotti told the Sun: “The plug was priceless. In Russia, you simply do not broadcast an invitation to work for a hostile intelligence agency.”
The Libyan-born British diplomat’s message was even translated into Russian and put at the top of the show.
News anchor Butina was convicted as being a spy in the US in 2019, after she offered sex in exchange for jobs at the National Rifle Association, the country’s gun lobbyists. Following her conviction she was deported back to Russia.
Now, the Russian TV presenter works for Channel 1 but also serves as an MP for Putin’s United Russia party. She fronts the show “The Dolls of the Heir Tutti” which broadcasts profiles on Russia’s “enemies”.
Meanwhile, President Zelensky’s plan to reclaim territory occupied by Russian troops may hit the buffers if western aid to Ukraine dries up.
With winter setting in, a new Ukrainian counteroffensive wouldn’t be able to take place until the spring of 2024, but now concerns over supplies means that Mr Zelensky may be forced to postpone it to as far as 2025.
According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), concerns over the supply of international aid and widening domestic political tensions is undermining the Ukrainian war effort.
The publication claims western diplomats and military strategists have said that Ukraine’s forces require time to recover and without additional support will need to suspend their counter strike until 2025.
On November 29, the Ukrainian war leader ordered the construction of a vast network of military fortifications to help forces to hold the front line, marking “a sharp shift in sentiment”, according to the WSJ.
