Putin warned he faces catastrophic defeat after major gaffes leave Russia in 'impossible' situation

Russia is set for a revolution as Vladimir Putin makes similar catastrophic mistakes as Russia did in 1917, according to a leading pro-Kremlin war analyst.

Igor Strelkov, a former FSB colonel warns Russia’s army is at a point where Putin will lose if it attacks and eventually retreats.

In a reference to a chess term where a player is put at a disadvantage due to being forced into a move, he said: “Intelligent people have come to the conclusion that, in the current situation, Russia is in a complete Zugzwang.

“It is impossible to keep on defending because it quickly worsens [our] strategic position.

“It is also impossible to attack, since this is fraught with a quick military catastrophe.”

He drew comparison to the July 1917 offensive of Alexander Kersensky, which led to the defeat of a ‘liberal government’, prompting seven decades of communist tyranny.

Strelkov stated: “There is not a word said about the Kremlin going for radical personnel changes and other necessary reforms.

“No-one believes in this anymore.”

The ex-defence minister of self-styled Donetsk People’s Republic in Russian-occupied Ukraine implied Putin’s military strategy is resulting in his downfall.

He warned that Putin’s top commanders were determined to carry out a counteroffensive in Ukraine, catching the country and its NATO supporters by surprise.

This course of action has been backed by retired Lt-Gen Andrey Gurulev, a pro-Putin advocate, he said.

Strelkov claimed: “This clearly demonstrates the general level of brainlessness of our top generals, to which he recently belonged.

“Probably, the general forgot - or perhaps he never knew - that NATO has a large space capability and effective modern air reconnaissance.

“There is also radio interception and radio location.

“They also have brains in their headquarters and analytical centres...

“Let me remind you that the enemy predicted the offensive of the Russian Armed Forces a year ago - and even posted this information in the media ahead of time and with an accuracy of several days.”

Strelkov, 52, a pro-war blogger, is one of three individuals convicted by a Dutch court last year for the downing of a Malaysian Airlines passenger jet which result in the deaths of the 298 on board in 2014.

Despite this, he continues to be a prominent voice in Russia on the conduct of the war.